Video & Transcript : 'rules committee' :
Page 306 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Floor debate on automatically returning future budget surpluses to taxpayers 3/17/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When Representative Johnson closed out this bill in the Rules Committee, he said something kind of interesting
- When Representative Johnson closed out this bill in the Rules Committee, he said something kind of interesting
- When Representative Johnson closed out this bill in the Rules Committee, he said something kind of interesting
- </c><00:58:48.680><c> committee</c><00:58:49.400><c> he</c> out this bill in the rules committee he out
- this bill in the rules committee he said<00:58:49.720><c> something</c><00:58:50.000><c> kind</c><00
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Nevada Assembly Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I have Amendment 969 proposed by the Committee on Ways and Means.
- Senate Bill 6, introduced by the Committee on Natural Resources, makes an appropriation by the Committee
- Assembly Committee on Education, all right, go ahead.
- Amendment No. 976, proposed by the Committee on Education.
- I move that all rules be suspended, reading so far considered first reading, rules further suspended,
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 4th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Fifth order of business, committee reports.
- business will be referred to the committee so designated.
- We'll be rereferred from the Rules Committee to the Appropriations Committee.
- With the consent of the House, the rules will be suspended.
- It should have been sent back to the committee.
Summary:
The House met with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, and then moved to second reading of House Bill 1604, a bill addressing standards for strip searches in local jails and related correctional procedures. The bill was described by supporters as implementing and clarifying existing federal law and providing local jails with clearer rules, while opponents argued it would create liability, staffing, bargaining, and operational problems, and would force female correctional officers to perform searches they objected to on privacy, consent, or religious grounds.
Members debated a series of amendments, most of which were rejected. Amendment 1470, changing the implementation date from 2025 to 2026, was adopted. Amendment 1492, which would have added intent language and liability protections, failed. Amendment 1494, requiring same-sex staff for invasive searches with a medical exception, failed. Amendment 1493, creating a religious accommodation process for staff, failed. Amendment 1491, focused on consent and boundaries for female officers, failed on a recorded vote of 37 yeas and 50 nays. Amendments 1495, 1496, and 1497, which would have expanded exigent circumstances, limited repeated gender-identity changes, or allowed temporary restraint when no appropriate search staff were available, also failed. A striking amendment to replace the bill entirely was likewise rejected.
On final passage, supporters said the bill would help local officials comply with federal and state requirements while protecting dignity and safety for incarcerated people. Opponents repeated concerns that the bill would be difficult to administer and would burden or endanger staff, especially women officers. The House then passed engrossed House Bill 1604 by a vote of 56 yeas to 39 nays, with three excused, and adjourned floor action for the day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/26/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Friday in this committee. Friday in this committee.
- What are the rules? Now I'm going to Hibbing. What are the rules?"
- What are the rules? Now I'm going to Hibbing. What are the rules?"
- You know what the rules are the rules?"
- Chair, members of the committee. committee. committee. Thank<01:08:30.480><c> you.
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It's on the upper part of that bill. looking at education rules 303 uh.04 looking at education rules
- </c><00:05:36.320><c> that</c> bill that we asked as a committee that bill that we asked as a committee
- </c><02:18:34.080><c> each</c> In the second column the ed rule each In the second column the ed rule
- </c> in rules in rules is<02:19:54.800><c> in</c><02:19:54.960><c> sub</c><02:19:55.200><c> paragraph
- </c> committee report. Thank you. committee report. Thank you.
Committee:
House Education Funding
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- President, your Rules Committee has had under consideration amended Senate Executive Letter No. 55, dated
- I would have been at the Rules Committee this morning, to vouch for my very dear friend, Kathy.
- Senate Bill 248. is ordered printed and referred to the Senate Rules Committee, then Senate Judiciary
- , having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the Senate Rules Committee, then
- to the Rules Committee.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:28:50.120><c> um</c> chair Miaki members of the committee um chair Miaki members of the committee
- <00:36:42.079><c> rules</c><00:36:42.440><c> governing</c><00:36:42.880><c> professional</c> rules rules
- governing professional rules rules governing professional qualifications<00:36:43.920><c> for</c><00
- Seeing none, Chair, members, any... committee know that do is intending to committee know that do is
- </c><01:41:58.920><c> to</c> authority to establish rules to authority to establish rules to effectuate
Committee:
House Housing
Summary:
The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities.
On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates.
The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> want to thank um our new committee want to thank um our new committee administrator<00:03:15.760
- </c> there's no new members on our committee. there's no new members on our committee.
- </c> rules, drafting those rules, and then rules, drafting those rules, and then putting<01:35:55.040
- </c> anybody else on the committee. Mr. anybody else on the committee. Mr.
- </c> uh remains the kind of rule of law. uh remains the kind of rule of law.
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Feb 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Steering Committee.
- Good afternoon, committee members and committee staff.
- Committee.
- Members of the committee, Kimmy Idy, staff to the committee.
- Members of the committee, Sandy Stiff, staff to the committee.
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346.
Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured.
Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Report of a committee: The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the Senate order relative to granting
- Lovely for the committee. The Senator from Suffolk, Ms.
- Report of the committee.
- The committee on Rules, to whom was referred the Senate bill relative to removing the term “hearing impaired
- Lovely for the committee. The Senate, from Suffolk, Ms.
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and special legislation items and adopted them without recorded opposition. Bills were passed to be enacted directing the Boston Police Department to waive maximum age requirements for three individuals, and resolutions were adopted congratulating several Eagle Scouts and recognizing Dr. Linda Saris’s retirement. The chamber also adopted a Rules Committee order extending the Judiciary Committee’s reporting deadline to June 30, 2026, and advanced Senate No. 2120, which removes the term “hearing impaired” from the General Laws, to third reading.
The Senate then considered a series of bills on the Orders of the Day and passed them to be engrossed, including a bill regulating petitions for special town meetings in Andover, several Haverhill public safety age-waiver bills for firefighter and police positions, a bill changing Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen to Select Board, and a bill making the Chicopee city charter gender neutral. Senators also briefly discussed the Judiciary Committee extension order, with Senator Edwards explaining it was needed to continue working through pending bills and negotiations.
The chamber adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Teresa Basil of East Boston, with senators offering remarks about her life, family, faith, and community impact. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in a formal session and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, the EU rules don't meet the rules of this bill.
- Do they follow the national rules? They follow international rules?
- Good afternoon, Chair and committee members.
- I want to start by accepting the committee amendments and thanking the committee for the thoughtful work
- Questions from committee members? Any issues? Thanks. Questions from committee members? Any issues?
Summary:
The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call.
The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open.
Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- House of Representatives, your standing committee on rules begs leave to report that it has carefully
- /c><00:18:37.679><c> to</c><00:18:37.840><c> report</c> committee on rules begs leave to report committee
- House Resolution 354 from the House Rules Committee, the special order calendar. I move adoption.
- </c> rule or any other rule they have for rule or any other rule they have for eligibility,<01:50:22.800
- And I am asking the committee, I would love for us to put the Golden Rule up, uh, with the Ten Commandments
MN
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/12/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #23
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, that's what was shared in committee.
- I, you see, I voted present in committee.
- To Madam Chair's point, we did ask the committee, asked in committee, the treasurer's office if they
- So we just have the three that went through rules. So SCR 1004 is your last one.
- So we just have the three that went through rules. So SCR 1004 is your last one.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed several bills on its calendar, mostly focused on Senate amendments and whether sponsors intended to concur. HB 2114 would alter Motorcycle Safety Fund distributions and motorcycle registration rules, including a Senate change requiring at least one registered owner to be licensed in Arizona; the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2729 would continue several boards and agencies, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Board of Physician Assistance, Department of Economic Security, and Board of Pharmacy; the sponsor also intended to concur.
Members discussed two agriculture property inspection bills, HB 2104 and HB 2105. HB 2104 would change rules for agricultural property classification and inspections, while HB 2105 would add notice and reporting requirements for inspections; both had Senate amendments that changed inspection timing and exemptions. Some members raised concerns about county assessors’ workload, opposition from county organizations, and possible inequities and insurance or disaster-related consequences for agricultural property owners.
HB 2477, the Arizona Education Savings Plan bill, drew the most discussion. The Senate amendment combined the 529-related provisions with several treasurer-related restrictions and investment rules, and members questioned the policy implications of allowing 529 funds to roll into Roth IRAs. HB 4117 would create or expand criminal penalties for interfering with religious worship, and some members expressed concern about civil liberties and equality issues, while the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2311 would require AI service disclosures to minors and, after substantial Senate amendments, to all account holders in some cases; members asked about effects on schools and government systems, and some noted concerns about the expanded scope and AG enforcement limits.
The caucus also heard SCR 1004, which would prohibit photo enforcement traffic programs after December 31 subject to voter approval, though existing programs could continue under certain conditions; law enforcement concerns were noted. SB 1110 would establish a home confinement and electronic monitoring program in the Department of Corrections. SB 1618 would revise the Military Affairs Commission’s membership and duties, but one member objected to adding defense-industry representation and warned about military-industrial-complex influence. The meeting ended with the chair noting that only the bills that had gone through rules were on the agenda and adjourned the caucus.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The reason I'm on the tax committee is the chair said the best committee is the chair said the best committee
- The reason I'm on the tax committee is the chair said the best committee is the chair said the best committee
- And I, um, the tax committee is, as you may have heard, the best committee and different than other committees
- amendments have to be referred to the Committee on Rules before it receives its second reading.
- uh Mr chair the rule the right the rule uh Mr chair the rule the the<01:25:17.360><c> rule</c><01:25
Committee:
House Taxes
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Arizona Off-Road Vehicle Study Committee will come to order.
- We're going to have the debate in the committee, and this committee is trying to discuss those items.
- Chairman, committee.
- governor's office to open up the rules process.
- Chairman, as a member of the state OHV study committee, I'd like to move that this committee request
Summary:
The Arizona Off-Road Vehicle Study Committee met to review Senate Bill 1519 and broader OHV policy issues, including funding, mitigation, enforcement, and education. Staff summarized the bill’s amended provisions: raising the OHV/ATV weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds, directing ADOT to create a new usage classification, creating an Off-Highway Vehicle Law Enforcement Fund, and setting a 50% vehicle license tax for vehicles in the 2,500–3,500 pound range. Members discussed how many vehicles would be affected, with industry testimony estimating about 2,600 new Arizona sales in that weight class in 2025 and growth of roughly 10% annually. Committee members also debated whether changes should be revenue-neutral to ADOT/HIRF or instead generate dedicated enforcement and mitigation funding without reopening HIRF distribution.
The committee then turned to education. Staff reviewed SB 1567, which requires OHV course completion before issuance of an OHV indicia and includes a report due December 1, 2026. Game and Fish said the mandatory education appears to be improving behavior, especially helmet use by children. Several witnesses, including representatives from Riding Arizona and ABATE Arizona, supported a consistent statewide training model and suggested expanding the requirement from owners to operators, with possible reciprocity or compact-style recognition with other states. Members also raised practical questions about proof of completion, online access, and how law enforcement would verify compliance.
For mitigation and enforcement funding, committee members and invited stakeholders discussed the scale of the need. A research presentation from Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation estimated about $3.5 million annually for additional law enforcement and about $7.5 million annually for natural resource mitigation, for a combined target of roughly $11 million per year. The estimate was based on county sheriff input and existing federal land-management data on illegal or user-created roads, with a statewide rough range of 12,000 to 17,000 miles of roads needing some form of closure or decommissioning. Members emphasized that the estimate did not include all possible costs, such as fence repair, tank restoration, or environmental compliance, and discussed soft versus hard closures, prevention, and the need to pair any mitigation spending with enforcement and education. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received information, asked questions, and continued discussion of possible recommendations.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill as proper for consideration.
- The Committee on Rules recognizes the following bill as proper for consideration.
- The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill as proper for consideration.
- The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill as proper for consideration: HB 2811, signed by
- The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill as proper for consideration: HB 2811, signed by
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Apr 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- cute kids, so I'm violating my number one rule now.
- Good afternoon, committee. My name is Brad and I.
- If I understand correctly, the state can have a more stringent rule, just not a more broad rule.
- Are there any questions, members of the committee? All right, seeing none, this rule is reviewed.
- Seeing no questions from the committee, without objection, this rule will be reviewed.
Summary:
The committee heard extensive public testimony from youth advocates and others urging stronger action on vaping in Arkansas. Speakers described high rates of youth vaping, the appeal of flavored products and social media marketing, health risks from nicotine and aerosol exposure, and school disruptions. They recommended prohibiting vaping in public indoor spaces, aligning vape rules with smoke-free laws, and expanding prevention and cessation efforts. Committee members praised the students for testifying and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation.
The main presentation was an overview of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. DFA officials said Arkansas received about $209 million for the first year and could receive roughly $1 billion over five years if performance remains strong. They emphasized that the program must be transparent, locally driven, and focused on transformation rather than operating support, debt relief, or new construction. They outlined four initiatives—Heart, PACT, Rise, and Thrive—covering prevention and community health, provider collaboration and access, workforce development, and technology/telehealth. Officials said applications would open in early May, with all four initiatives expected to launch by June, and that funds would be awarded through a reimbursement-based process with a quick turnaround.
Committee members asked detailed questions about eligibility, allowable uses, timelines, and how the program would affect existing providers. Officials said rural eligibility could include providers in urban areas if they serve rural patients, and that existing programs could expand if they did not supplant current funding. They also said the program could support targeted renovations, mobile units, new residency slots, EMS equipment, and clinically integrated networks, but not working capital, permanent new buildings, or food purchases. Members raised concerns about protecting current rural providers, supporting school gardens and farmers markets, and ensuring nonprofits and faith-based groups could participate. Officials said the state would continue technical assistance and that the application review team would include DFA and health leadership.
Later in the meeting, DHS presented a Medicaid and CHIP rule implementing federal requirements for incarcerated youth, including 30-day pre-release and post-release coverage, targeted case management, and screening services. The Department of Health also presented a rule updating audiology licensing to reflect recent acts and changing the renewal deadline from June 30 to October 31. Both rules were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (05/20/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the only place it's in statute, unless you start looking at rules, the 300 rules.
- </c> start looking at rules, the 300 rules. start looking at rules, the 300 rules.
- That's all in rule. Oh, okay. No, that's not in statute. That's in administrative rules.
- Administrative<00:17:32.080><c> rules.</c> Administrative rules. Administrative rules.
- committee? committee? Representative<00:23:19.200><c> Luna.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar.
The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school.
The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Today is 4-9, and this is a hearing of the Retirement Committee.
- Went back to court, and the court ruled in his favor.
- Went back to court, and the court ruled in his favor.
- The rule, and not a state rule, this is the rule of Social Security, is you have 30 days to make the
- Thank you, committee. one today. He is the man today. Thank you committee.
Committee:
House Retirement
Summary:
The Retirement Committee heard several retirement-related bills and deferred two measures at the start: HB 26 and HB 993 were voluntarily deferred by the author. HB 31, by Rep. Eccles, would allow certain small municipalities to terminate participation in the municipal police employees’ retirement system and create a lower-cost “Plan C” option for small towns like Stirlington. After discussion about population and officer-count limits, the committee adopted amendments, heard concerns from the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System about remaining issues, and reported HB 31 as amended favorably.
The committee also advanced HB 1134, which creates a backdrop-style retirement option for judges whose positions are abolished, and HB 24, which would allow retired teachers to return to work as one-year contract teachers without the current retirement contribution structure. TRSL testified that return-to-work policy is complex and that a broader Senate study-group proposal is also moving, but the committee reported HB 1134 and HB 24 favorably. HB 21, a technical correction to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System law, was amended to remove a sunset problem that would be fixed in another bill and was reported favorably as amended.
Later, the committee reported HB 1017 favorably, which limits former spouses’ claims to post-divorce earnable compensation in the Firefighters’ Retirement System, with testimony that the bill would reduce litigation over promotions and raises after divorce. HB 43, which would let certain LASERS members retire after 35 years of service at any age, drew testimony from LASERS about its cost and workforce effects but received no motion and was voluntarily deferred. HB 30 was also voluntarily deferred because its substance would be moved into another bill.
The committee then took up two major municipal police bills. HB 45, after extensive negotiations among the author, the Louisiana Municipal Association, EMPERS, and the City of New Orleans, was substantially rewritten by amendment to address retention pay, out-of-state service credit purchases, survivor benefits for certain officers killed in the line of duty, COLA funding, and a reduction in the non-hazardous accrual rate. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 45 as amended favorably. HB 49, a related bill on municipal police and firefighter retirement issues, was also replaced by a substitute that changed opt-out procedures, revised partial dissolution rules, and preserved full dissolution liability; after testimony that the changes would save New Orleans and other cities significant money, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 49 as substituted favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.