Video & Transcript Research : 'retiree support'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- support to our aging retirees who dedicated their careers to serving their Sonoma County community.
- Do we have another support me-too? Thank you. Do we have another support me-too? Thank you.
- We have a support-if-amended position on the bill.
- Is there a me-toos in support of the bill?
- Is there another support? Okay. Is there another support? Okay. Any opposition to the bill?
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here to express my support and strong support for H. 2874, an act relative to the Medicare buy-in
- While existing law mandates that retirees who are eligible for free Medicare must enroll, there remains
- Under such a program, retirees who are 65 and older but not Medicare eligible would be enrolled into
- I'm here today to testify in support of... Systems.
- We retirees would like to be eligible as well.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hybrid hearing focused on insurance and retirement-related bills. Representative Hendricks testified in support of H.2874, which would create a Medicare buy-in program for certain state retirees age 65 and older who are not currently Medicare eligible, with the Commonwealth paying Part A premiums and late penalties. He argued the bill would reduce retiree health costs for the state and municipalities while improving benefits for retirees. Don Buckley also testified in support of H.2874, describing his own situation as a long-serving state retiree without Medicare coverage and urging passage of the bill.
Paul Jakes of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Michael Riley of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems testified in support of H.2999/S.1862, which would provide fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees. Riley also supported H.2933/S.1816, which would add a seat on the PRIM Board for non-state teacher retirement systems, and H.2954/H.1813, which would change the criteria and duration for systems considered underperforming in the public employee retirement system funding rules. He said the changes would better reflect current conditions and limit forced participation in PRIT to five years rather than in perpetuity.
Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the committee voted to adjourn.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The universities pay directly for their retirees.
- . your liabilities for retiree healthcare.
- MPDP is the healthcare for the Medicare eligible retirees.
- Can we have additional support to work with young people?
- I appreciate that, and we're happy to continue to support these efforts.
Keywords:
sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides critical support so working families can go to work.
- It can support families going to faith-based care.
- The legislature has neglected to support state retirees for the past two decades.
- State retirees are struggling to pay for an... ...retirement, and they are in dire need of support.
- We are very supportive of additional money for... like Mr.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I support, um, you know, I support the families that work, um, for and have the retirement system as
- So I wanted to, um, I'm, I support... $500. So I wanted to, um, I support this bill.
- I support, um, you know, I support the families that work, um, for and have the retirement system as
- </c> up with inflation many current retirees up with inflation many current retirees are<01:38:40.840
- it was for retirees.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously.
The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Feb 3rd, 2026 at 03:06 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- We respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
- The average age of a military retiree is 41. Many of these retirees will come and start businesses.
- And we support a do pass on HB 221.
- Madam Chair, is that six and a half Just for the retirees, the impact on just for the retirees, or is
- This would be just for the retirees.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- From the active members or from retirees? Porter: Retirees?
- We really appreciate your support.
- I'm here to offer support of CPRIT and also to offer our support to you.
- Ray Heimel: Retiree issues.
- I am a state retiree.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/21/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But with less time and support. support. support.
- Pension support would. So, please support pension bill 4860.
- Pension support would. So, please support pension bill 4860.
- Pension support would. So, please support pension bill 4860.
- Pension support would. So, please support pension bill 4860.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Texas State Employees Pay Raise Jan 27th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a state retiree through ERS, not TRS, Employees Retirement System.
- I am a state retiree through ERS, not TRS, Employees Retirement System.
- For decades, our state employees and retirees have been the backbone of this state.
- And it's not just retirees who are feeling the squeeze.
- Investing in our retirees and employees is about more than paychecks and benefits.
Keywords:
Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have over 12,500 retirees and spouses on our retiree health plan.
- Non-Medicare retirees are much more expensive to cover than Medicare retirees.
- They are to pay for retiree health. They are to pay for retiree health.
- If you don't have retirees, you don't pay retiree health.
- If you don't have retirees, you don't pay retiree health.
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures.
A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions.
Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service.
The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We are in support. Yes, sir.
- Having support: Kevin Hayes, with the chief of police, in support, not wishing to speak.
- Having support, Kevin Hayes, with the chief of policing support, not wishing to speak. the Chief of Police
- in support, not wishing to speak.
- Shane Spellman, Professional Firefighters, in support.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Retirement met on May 5 with four members present. HB 41 was deferred until the following week, and the committee approved the April 20, 2026 minutes. The committee then took up several retirement-system bills, many of them negotiated measures involving municipal police, firefighters, teachers, district attorneys, and judges.
HB 45, by Rep. Bacallat, was amended and reported favorably. It makes changes to the Municipal Police Employees Retirement System, including retention bonuses, recognition of out-of-state police service, benefits for three officers killed in the line of duty before full enrollment, a DROP fix, and more competitive accrual rates. Testimony from the Louisiana Municipal Association, MEPERS, police representatives, and Mayor Helena Marino was strongly supportive, emphasizing that the bill resolves longstanding disputes and litigation. HB 1237, also by Rep. Bacallat, was reported favorably after testimony that it eliminates partial dissolution penalties for municipal police and adjusts related firefighter provisions; witnesses said it was a negotiated fix supported by municipal and fire stakeholders.
HB 42, concerning phased retirement in the Teacher Retirement System, was reported favorably as a permissive framework allowing universities to offer phased retirement options. HB 17, by the District Attorneys’ Retirement System director, was reported favorably to add the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to the definition of employer and require annual reporting on the rehire statute. HB 21, a cleanup bill for the Municipal Employees Retirement System, was also reported favorably. HB 1134, creating a backdrop retirement option for certain judges whose positions are abolished, was amended and reported favorably after LASERS raised questions about early retirement eligibility and the need to bar future judicial candidacy.
HB 24, by Rep. Owen, drew the most discussion. It would allow retired or certified teachers to return to work through contracts with school systems, with a three-year sunset. The sponsor argued it would help keep qualified teachers in classrooms and avoid midyear departures, while TRSL, the Louisiana School Board Association, and committee members raised concerns about fiscal impact, contractor status, workers’ compensation, leave rules, and overlap with a separate bill being worked on by the chairman. After an amendment clarifying the independent-contractor definition was adopted, the committee chose to hold the bill in committee for further work rather than advance it immediately. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jul 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The OPEB, or retiree medical valuations, we now produce those, and OSA also initiated...
- Our vision is to support sound programs that provide financial security for Washingtonians.
- So in closing, OSA now supports a wide range of services and programs.
- The remaining 1,200 are your primary annuitant retirees. You're welcome.
- And according to this retiree, because of that reduction in their spouse's benefit, the retiree chose
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight May 22nd, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- about 100,000 retirees, maybe a little more.
- I think this, this data is a little outdated. 100,000 retirees in New Mexico.
- The oversight of this is to determine how we protect our retirees through these pension funds.
- Um, you all did something similar with PA a couple of years ago to pro-rate colas for state retirees
- The ERB and retiree Health Care Authority.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- But today, like many retirees, military retirees, I'm facing a difficult decision: Can I afford to stay
- we take meaningful action to support them?
- I ask that you support this step forward.
- Anyone in the room wishing to speak in support of this measure, please state your name, support, your
- organization, and support.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, January 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :09:18.560><c> HR</c><00:09:19.200><c> 2988,</c> speak in support of HR 2988, speak in support of HR
- . retirees. retirees.
- They do not support their families.
- </c> place for the best benefit of retirees. place for the best benefit of retirees.
- </c> caps that punished deli retirees alone. caps that punished deli retirees alone.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So anyone in support, please come forward. So anyone in support, please come forward.
- We have been in support of this bill.
- We would absolutely support that.
- We, I think, there are 3,400 PSRS retirees that are COLA capped, 800 PEERS retirees that are COLA capped
- We, I think there is 3,400 PSRS retirees that are COLA capped, 800 peers retirees that are COLA capped
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Texas State Employees Pay Raise Jan 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to hear from John Gangler, who's a current state employee, and from Joan Barish, who's a retiree
- For decades, our state employees and retirees have been the backbone of this state.
- The last time Texas retirees received the cost of living adjustment, a gallon of gas cost $1.51.
- And it's not just retirees who are filling the squeeze.
- Investing in our retirees and employees is about more than paychecks and benefits.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The green cards are for support, red cards are in opposition, white cards are for information purposes
- Members, House Concurrent Resolution 87 by Representative Lecombe, expresses legislative support for
- We have Rick Owens here again, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, in support but not wishing to speak.
- We had Rick Owens here with Louisiana Wildlife Federation in support, and Mr.
- We had Rick Owens here with Louisiana Wildlife Federation in support, and Mrs.
Keywords:
migratory waterfowl, hunting regulations, flooded crops, wildlife management, environmental impact, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, deer hunting, dogs, conservation, hunting heritage, federal regulations, Senator Kennedy, wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, legislative support, environment, protective measures, boating safety
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 28th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- All in favor and support.
- I'll just ask you to support the bill. Thank you. All right.
- I've supported Shamhorn's bill back in 20, and I'll support this one today.
- and support as often as I can.
- [All in favor/support, not wishing to speak.]
Keywords:
Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district