Video & Transcript : 'drilling equipment' :
Page 30 of 482
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 4th, 2026 at 06:25 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- making sure there's an emergency evacuation and carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and monthly fire drills
- I mean, I come from southeastern New Mexico, where there are 8,000 ways to hurt yourself on a drilling
- , does this apply to others like community workers, like public works, you know, operating heavy equipment
- Okay, so if you're operating heavy equipment, though, if you're in public works I mean, if you're driving
- So you can have these particular workers driving some dangerous equipment that may have accidents.
Committee:
Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We replaced legacy equipment, including firewalls, network equipment, and employee workstations.
- increase in rent and the GSD and DOIT rates, $110,000 for the cybersecurity recurring subscriptions and equipment
- I'll give you the incident so you know: A Pueblo was drilled a well.
- A vendor went and drilled the well. They got attacked.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I grew up having to practice atomic bomb drills in elementary school.
- Such drills are no longer done.
- Based on recent events, it’s even more critical that we believe in and support survivors, equipping them
- people and also want to thank the Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living, also known as Drill
- AB 2219 is our promise to equip them with the cutting-edge tools they need to ensure that everyday veterans
Summary:
The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file.
The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins.
A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 5th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Abraham, relative to the State Licensing Board for Contractors, to provide relative to water well drilling
- this bill requires anyone performing, offering services related to water wells or environmental drilling
- perspective, but it was really a simple bill that had to be defined by the definition of water well drilling
- We believe that parents are best equipped to make decisions about their children.
- I think we all share in that responsibility to figure out how to get the word out there to equip them
Summary:
The committee first deferred House Bill 1102 without hearing it. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 66, which urges Louisiana Economic Development and other state agencies to continue studying rural parishes’ economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. Representative Weible and Secretary Bougoir described the resolution as part of a broader effort to align state rural programs and create a strategic framework for rural development. Members emphasized infrastructure, workforce training, local coordination, and retaining young people in rural communities. An amendment requiring LED to report to the legislature by January 1, 2027 was adopted, and HCR 66 was reported favorably as amended.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 102, which would allow qualified trade associations for motor vehicle dealers to bring declaratory and injunctive actions against manufacturers on behalf of dealers. Senator Presley and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association said the bill would consolidate similar disputes into one action, reduce costs, and help smaller dealers avoid retaliation or uneven litigation. Questions focused on standing, the limited remedies, and whether the bill would affect nontraditional sales models. Technical amendments were adopted, and SB 102 was reported favorably as amended.
Senate Bill 521, concerning banks’ continued use of a non-surviving bank’s name after mergers or consolidations, drew the most debate. Senator Boudreau and former Senator Fred Mills said the bill would preserve community-bank identity while following FDIC guidance on clear disclosure and consumer notice. Several members raised concerns about codifying federal guidance, future changes to federal rules, and whether the bill should instead set a fixed transition period; an amendment to limit use of the old name to 24 months was adopted after discussion. Another proposed amendment tying the bill to 1998 FDIC branch-name guidance failed on a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably.
The committee also advanced House Bill 387, which narrows the scope of incidental engineering work by architects and clarifies the state fire marshal’s authority to review plans under both architecture and engineering laws, and House Bill 1228, which updates hearing-aid dealer licensing and consumer-protection rules, including testing periods, cooling-off rights, and refund/cancellation procedures. Both bills were reported favorably with technical amendments. The transcript then shifted to additional measures, including House Bill 975 on Public Service Commission reconstitution and several Senate bills by Senator Abraham on self-storage facilities and contractor licensing, but the provided text cuts off before those items are fully concluded.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- by Senator Abraham and concerns the State Licensing Board for Contractors, including water well drilling
- the bill requires anyone performing or offering services related to water wells or environmental drilling
- He said the bill was now in the proper perspective and that the definition of water well drilling was
- We believe that parents are best equipped to make decisions about their children.
- I think we all share in that responsibility to figure out how to get the word out there to equip them
Bills:
HB387 , HB673 , HB947 , HB975 , HB1102 , HB1228 , HB1229 , HCR66 , SB102 , SB165 , SB280 , SB291 , SB326 , SB521
Committee:
House Commerce
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Election equipment systems have relatively long life spans, thankfully, but they're very much a niche
- type of equipment, and we've got a very limited selection of vendors.
- We're very proud of that, and we really look at our equipment purchases with that in mind.
- That's, we've had to staff up and get some new equipment, but really some really specialized staff to
- But we could probably spend two weeks drilling down into all of those categories and everything.
Summary:
The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues.
A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support.
Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabilities Task Force REVISED- Agenda Added Jun 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So they're open to the idea, but when we drilled down to ask respondents, do you have the hiring capability
- unsure of a person's capability, 56%; unsure of how to correct behavior issues, 51%; and they're not equipped
- So they're open to the idea, but when we were drilled down to ask respondents, do you have the hiring
- And they're not equipped to work with someone with IDD, 39%.
Summary:
The meeting focused on integrated employment and related services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony from several provider agencies and state officials. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described how their organization supports people through residential services and self-created businesses because community employers often are not ready to hire people with disabilities. They said rigid service rules, difficulty fitting individuals into existing job definitions, and reimbursement requirements can prevent person-centered employment supports. They also reported that, in their experience, employees had not lost benefits when work was coordinated carefully with Social Security and benefits management.
Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial and highway contracts, state-use products, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said the organization uses a temp-service style model to make employers more comfortable and noted barriers such as employer concerns about productivity, lack of awareness of tax credits and accessibility resources, and the need for consistent job coaches. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model, including a Transition Academy for young adults that combines independent living instruction, community college classes, internships, and follow-along support; she said the program has an 85% placement rate but is expensive and not eligible for traditional student aid because it is not accredited. She also cited barriers including dual diagnoses, workforce readiness, and low reimbursement rates.
Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described their long-running enclave contracts and a new Community Skills and Connection program that uses interest-based cohorts, community exploration, and volunteer experiences to build skills and networks tied to employment. They said the agency is phasing out its 14(c) subminimum wage certificate by the end of the year and is trying to expand community-based opportunities. DRTC and other providers emphasized the need to blend DDS and DRS services more effectively, reduce restrictive rules such as line-of-sight requirements, and better support people in congregate living settings. DRS representatives said the agency does provide school-based transition services, employer accommodations, and job carving support, and noted federal reporting requirements tied to wage outcomes.
Members also discussed safety concerns, employer education, data collection, ABLE accounts, and the role of schools in preparing students for work and community life. The co-chairs proposed organizing the task force into three working groups: in-school/transition services, program support and service blending, and community integration/employer engagement. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans for further working-group discussion and follow-up on data and policy ideas.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The agency had a piece of equipment stolen, disallowed expenditures of federal grant awards, and unauthorized
- You know the drill. Would you stand to be sworn in, please?
- Rogers, you know the drill. If you would introduce yourself for the record.
- “Documentation was not maintained to support equipment lease payments and payoffs.
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports.
The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes.
Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return.
The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The agency had a piece of equipment stolen, disallowed expenditures of federal grant awards, and unauthorized
- You know the drill. Would you stand to be sworn in, please?
- Rogers, you know the drill. If you would introduce yourself for the record.
- Documentation was not maintained to support equipment lease payments and payoffs.
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- practices to school districts and to communities across the state, but more importantly, we've tried to equip
- practices to school districts and to communities across the state, but more importantly, we've tried to equip
- I had the privilege of meeting with the Taylor County High School Smile Club, and due to the fire drill
- I had the privilege of meeting with the Taylor County High School Smile Club, and due to the fire drill
Committee:
House Families & Children
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Can I even get a loan to build a barn on my property, buy new farm equipment, or expand business activities
- That's why we have drilled this pilot well that Representative Romero was talking about.
- Second, the committee substitute requires exempt well operators to install monitoring equipment to ensure
- the committee substitute removes a requirement that geological strata into which a disposal well is drilled
Bills:
HB1523 , HB2109 , HB2694 , HB3525 , HB3898 , HB4646 , HB5188 , HB5219 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5655 , HB5659 , HB5662 , HB5672
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Summary:
The Committee on Natural Resources heard House Bill 2109, which would remove certain long-proposed reservoir projects from the state water plan after 50 years without progress. Chairman Van Deaver and many landowners, local officials, timber interests, and conservation advocates testified in support, arguing that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir has burdened Northeast Texas landowners for decades with the threat of eminent domain, depressed property values, and uncertainty over homes, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Supporters also said the project would flood tens of thousands of acres, require extensive mitigation, harm timber and agriculture, and that Texas now has better alternatives such as conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Several members expressed sympathy for the affected families and questioned whether a project could remain in the plan indefinitely without progress.
Opposition came from North Texas water interests, including the North Texas Commission, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Texas Water Association, who argued that the bill would interfere with the state’s long-term water planning process and remove needed future supply options for a fast-growing region. They said Region C faces major projected shortages by 2070, that conservation and reuse have already delayed the need for new supplies, and that reservoirs remain one tool in the state’s water-planning toolbox. TWDB staff explained the existing inter-regional conflict process and noted that the substitute would affect several unique reservoir sites, not just Marvin Nichols. After testimony, Chairman Van Deaver closed by urging passage of the bill, but the committee withdrew the substitute and left HB 2109 pending.
The committee then took up House Bill 5188, a brackish groundwater bill. The author said the bill would reduce permitting burdens for wells in designated brackish groundwater production zones, and the committee substitute added requirements on monitoring, groundwater-rights ownership, and allocation of pumpage limits while removing some exclusions and export-fee provisions. Texas Wildlife Association testified against the bill, warning that the exemptions could weaken groundwater conservation districts’ ability to protect freshwater resources and surface-owner rights. San Antonio Water System testified in favor, saying brackish groundwater is a key future supply and that the substitute would help speed development of desalination and brackish projects. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts testified neutrally but raised concerns about reduced district oversight, especially around injection-well exclusions and the loss of export fees, and said discussions on the bill were ongoing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 12/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The equipment I could get from Germany was about double the cost.
- The equipment I could get from Germany was about double the cost.
- > equipment</c><01:20:14.239><c> purchases</c><01:20:14.880><c> because</c> delay new equipment purchases
- </c> our used equipment is painful. our used equipment is painful.
- </c><01:40:25.520><c> Farm</c> equipment, supplies, and tools. Farm equipment, supplies, and tools.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation Committee Dec 3rd, 2025
Joint Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe there's an equipment malfunction, or maybe the equipment on board the ship doesn't actually line
- Finally, the vessel itself must be equipped to receive shore power.
- And for tanks, and for tanks, especially all of the births are already or close to being equipped for
- We now, at the State Patrol, have every trooper equipped with a body-worn camera.
- We'll be able to have these tools and search in a manner that is meaningful, and we can drill down and
Committee:
Joint Joint Transportation Committee
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls.
The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly.
The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions.
Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The career tech equipment, the governor had put $15 million.
- Educational television, $2 million, to equip their studio in the new State House.
- Jackson County schools for equipment.
- This is equipment to fund those programs. We’re going to limit that to a piece.
- fund</c><00:47:08.960><c> those</c> This is equipment to fund those This is equipment to fund those programs
Bills:
HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242
Committee:
House Ways and Means Education
Keywords:
social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> our contract commodities and equipment. our contract commodities and equipment.
- </c> then again, commodities and equipment then again, commodities and equipment are<01:35:09.360><c>
- </c> personnel and equipment uh and upgrades. personnel and equipment uh and upgrades.
- Uh, we're asking for some new equipment.
- Uh some other things there, equipment.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been doing remediation; there's drilling.
- We've been doing remediation; there's drilling.
- We've been doing remediation; there's drilling.
- We've been doing remediation; there's drilling.
- We've been doing remediation; there's drilling.
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/23/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Gloves, respirators, goggles, direct induction equipment, better cab filters.
- Seeman, if you could please, you know the drill.
- Seeman, if you could please, you know the drill.
- Seeman, if you could please, you know<01:32:12.720><c> the</c><01:32:12.800><c> drill.
- If you would please uh know the drill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- file a $250 fee plus surcharge, and we process their permit, and they're allowed to haul waste from a drill
- procedures can result in explosions and subsequent fires, especially at waste facilities that are not equipped
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, Cal Poly SLO's agricultural leadership class equips students with the skills to become
- Our state has been a leader in breaking glass ceilings, whether it's with a hammer or a drill, ladies
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee REVISED: Oklahoma Broadband Office added Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
A&B Finance Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Are we paying for people to get equipment, or how does that work? That, Mr.
- once they come in and they have a sign-up, then the customer, whoever was awarded that, gets the equipment
- Is the money going to go towards equipment? That type of thing. Maybe we can get together offline.
- The money will go for the equipment, but you're kind of on an island because you as That recipient area
- Sometimes there are marshy areas, sometimes there is rock, and it's really expensive to drill through
Committee:
House A&B Finance Subcommittee