Transcript Highlights:

• </c> example um deductions for tips overtime example um deductions for tips overtime income<00:03:21.200
• </c><00:08:21.919><c> for</c> 529 accounts was allowed to pay for 529 accounts was allowed to pay for
• </c> reported for purposes of uh paying reported for purposes of uh paying income<00:36:33.280><c> tax
• </c><00:43:27.359><c> the</c> um they can elect to file and pay the um they can elect to file and pay
• </c><01:14:34.560><c> for</c> to uh continue to sustain and pay for to uh continue to sustain and pay

Bills: HR1 , HF387

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• It's getting more money in just from employer contributions than it's paying out.
• It's getting more money in just from employer contributions than it's paying out.
• But all along I wasn't paying in at that rate. And now those best three years were determined.
• But those perhaps years were accelerated with overtime, uh vacation pay that is now paid at one-third
• </c> years were accelerated with overtime years were accelerated with overtime accelerated<00:31:38.080

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new staff member Sean Parks, and announced that it would not meet in November. The next meeting was scheduled for December 8 at 10:00 a.m., with the chair noting that pension bills would be heard then and emphasizing that all pension bills must go through the full process and include actuarial analysis. Brad Gross of the Public Pension Oversight Board presented a detailed review of Kentucky retirement systems’ investments and funding. He said fiscal year 2025 ended with about $50.5 billion in pension assets and $12.52 billion in retiree health assets, both up from the prior year. He reported strong investment performance across the systems, with all Kentucky public pension funds exceeding their policy benchmarks and the median peer return of 10.4%. He also discussed long-term return trends, asset allocation differences among the systems, fee levels, and cash flow, noting that cash flow remains a key monitoring issue and that supplemental appropriations have improved the cash position of some funds, especially the Kentucky State Police and TRS systems. Gross also explained that assumed rates of return have generally fallen over time, which increases unfunded liabilities and required contributions, and said the systems’ current assumptions range from 5.25% to 7.1%. He noted that the committee’s materials included peer comparisons and historical charts, and that all asset classes were within target ranges. In response to a question from Senator Funky From, Gross was asked about pension spiking and whether supplemental general fund contributions could create a false sense of security in cash flow analysis; the question was raised but not resolved in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first category is under the heading of incentive pay.
• Some use for bonuses, very small amount, some incentive pay, which, again, incentive pay is one of those
• categories that shows up on that fiscal irregularities report, some overtime pay, things like that,
• report, some overtime pay, things like that, are how those are used.
• And what are we paying vendor two?

Summary: The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff. The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits. The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you’re on the other side and the only issue is money, this is truly a pay-me-now-or-pay-me-later type
• I can quote stats for you here: we had 1.2 million overtime hours last year.
• We consistently run 12,000 overtime hours per quarter. Last quarter we ran 12,000 hours overtime.
• For example, in 2022 we were able to pay 29 percent above minimum wage.
• that we're paying our staff to attract and retain Which means we cannot increase the pay that we're

Bills: SB1001 , SB1011 , SB1016 , SB1052 , SB1072 , SB1100 , SB1112 , SB1113 , SB1116 , SB1118 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1122 , SB1123 , SB1124 , SB1125

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, medical examiners, sudden infant death, autopsy protocols, forensic pathology, public health, assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, funding appropriations, foreign adversary

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the overtime that was mentioned, this came up during our work committee or the committee days
• And so I'm trying to understand how this is not a farce that we're creating a necessary overtime when
• both... ...folks outside of their staffing that could address the request for additional money for overtime
• Let's alleviate overtime and get these youth connected to community that doesn't involve this agency,
• All right, everybody pay attention, class. I believe the chair's committee guidelines call for...

Bills: HB1544 , HB2219 , HB2253

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, risk assessment, investigation, child abuse, neglect, HB 2219, child care licensing, early learning, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, Washington child care, preschool licensing, family child care, child care centers, nature-based child care, outdoor preschool, mixed-age ratios, staff-to-child ratio, group size, zero tolerance

Transcript Highlights:

• I just don't know the significance there as far as the overtime that was mentioned.
• direct, and so I'm trying to understand how this is not a farce that we're creating a necessary overtime
• work with folks outside of their staffing that could address the request for additional money for overtime
• Like, let's alleviate overtime and get these youth connected to community that doesn't involve this agency
• All right, everybody pay attention.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we don't bargain anything having to do with what people pay into the fund or how they get paid out
• These students do not pay tuition largely because they are under state-authorized tuition waivers, so
• Carve-outs would also include the classification, discipline, the grievance procedures, and overtime
• Staff, anything that I'm not paying attention to? I don't think so, Senator Robinson.
• Staff, anything that I'm not paying attention to? I don't think so, Senator Robinson.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• President Trump promised no tax on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and tax relief for seniors.
• President Trump promised no tax on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and tax relief for seniors.
• </c><01:30:32.560><c> pay,</c> promised no tax on tips, overtime pay, promised no tax on tips, overtime
• making stuff in America, who's paying taxes on the overtime, but they're away from their family and
• Yeah, normal tax rates apply on everything else, but if you work overtime, you're not going to pay taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're going to pay 10% back, but are they going to pay that 10% monthly or per year?
• So the city would be required to pay $4,273 back per year. That's what this is.
• Can you pay $2,300 out of your general fund to the street fund annually?
• Can you pay $2,300 out of your general fund to the street fund annually?
• So they're going to pay 10% back, but are they going to pay that 10% monthly or per year?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• It pays employee salaries, rent, IT costs, and was already put forward as a measured request.
• It pays employee salaries, rent, IT costs, and was already put forward as a measured request.
• It pays employee operating adjustment.
• It pays employee salaries,<00:21:07.760><c> rent,</c><00:21:08.159><c> IT</c><00:21:08.600><c> costs<
• shifts at unprecedented forced overtime shifts at unprecedented rates<00:37:46.720><c> and</c><00:37

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, right now, all the gas companies have to pay surety bonds to the Corporation Commission.
• It says Oklahoma oil and gas companies pay surety bonds to the Corporation Commission, and they are not
• paying surety bonds to the Department of Wildlife.

Bills: HB1937 , HB2153 , HB3674 , HB2978 , HB3885 , HB3671 , HB3261 , HB3021 , HB3029 , HB4274 , HB3701 , HB3076 , HB2299 , HB3852 , HB3244 , HB3345 , HB3114 , HB3764 , HB4144 , HB3304 , HB2939 , HB4227 , HB3262 , HB2941 , HB3498 , HB4343 , HB4425 , HB3386 , HB3087 , HB3062 , HB3431 , HB4141 , HB3581 , HB4237 , HB2960 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3974 , HB3045 , SCR18 , HCR1024 , SJR39 , SJR49 , HB4486 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142 , HB1823 , HB4476 , HB3378 , HB3880 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3429 , HB3657 , HB4215 , HB3624 , HB1170

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Transcript Highlights:

• Norwood here, Osborne here, Pay here, Patzkowski, Patzkowski, Pfeifer, Pogamier, Provenzano, Provenzano
• losing from the federal, but also recognizing that we have serious needs in our state that we need to pay
• About the vote, chairs are paying to close.

Bills: HB3057 , HB3130 , HB4113 , HB3310 , HB3314 , HB3985 , HB4486 , HB3040 , HB3407 , HB4343 , HB2981 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB3767 , HB3982 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4126 , HB4130 , HB4170 , HB3345 , HB2941 , HB3062 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB2977 , HB3304 , HB3299 , HB3297 , HB4260 , HB3906 , HB3648 , HB3319 , HB2933 , HB3544 , HB1322 , HB4104 , HB4105 , HB4106 , HB4107 , HB4108 , HB3974 , HB3134 , HB3055 , HB3115 , HB3471 , HB3497 , HB3500 , HB3505 , HB3755 , HB4202 , HB4226 , HB4236 , HB4139 , HB4144 , HB4422 , HB4423 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3673 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB2445

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, voter registration, voter eligibility, felony disenfranchisement, restoration of voting rights, formerly incarcerated, reentry, parole, probation, supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• To address these shortages and ensure staff and facility safety, we were forced to rely on overtime to
• I'll explain in just a moment. this was forced overtime affecting the this was forced overtime affecting
• </c><01:14:04.000><c> at</c> starting pay at starting pay at 2744<01:14:06.040><c> per</c><01:14:06.239
• And then, from a staff perspective, because we've heard overtime and stuff like that, how much would
• and stuff like that how heard overtime and stuff like that how much<01:22:17.800><c> would</c><01:22

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• wide co-sponsorship and passed almost unanimously to create a fund in crime victims compensation to pay
• So it's about 40% of my income that goes to my cost share, and we don't want to stop paying our share
• We want you to be able to work, but we don't need to spend all the money you pay and work on all these
• So they're just going to work for free, or... ...or overtime?
• Less than a healthy body or to be down and out and to not have enough to pay your bills.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• and tip income and exclusion of overtime and tip income and no<00:17:54.320><c> reductions</c><00:17
• for in roughly 56% of State they pay for in roughly 56% of State medical<00:30:19.240><c> assistance
• </c><00:35:42.320><c> be</c><00:35:42.520><c> required</c><00:35:42.920><c> to</c><00:35:43.079><c> pay
• </c><00:35:43.359><c> any</c> state will be required to pay any state will be required to pay any portion
• for substance use disorder services pays for substance use disorder services so<00:50:43.960><c> this

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, strictly, I can tell you from a financial standpoint, we pay X number of dollars per inmate
• But if we're not paying attention to how to get them in there, they're going to kill, fight, and we're
• Because, strictly, I can tell you from a financial standpoint, we pay X number of dollars per inmate
• they can spend, they have to close a certain amount of posts before they can approve overtime.
• they can spend, they have to close a certain amount of posts before they can approve overtime.

Bills: HB389 , HB1166 , HB1510 , HB1541 , HB1605 , HB1661 , HB1663 , HB1678 , HB1769 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1840 , HB1853 , HB1860 , HB1891 , HB1952 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1970 , HB1972 , HB1976 , HB2050 , HB2094 , HB2104 , HB2158 , HB2165 , HB2171 , HB2208 , HB2246 , HB2271 , HB2300 , HB2310 , HB2315 , HB2319 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2343 , HB2443 , HB2498 , HB2551 , HB2599 , HB2606 , SB17 , SB83 , SB99 , SB148 , SB411 , SB709 , SB847 , SB874 , SB888 , SB1032 , SB1166 , SB2001 , SB2014 , SB2031 , SB2041 , SB2050 , SB2057 , SB2061 , SB2074 , SB2075 , SB2089 , SB2095 , SB2101 , SB2102 , SB2108 , SB2109 , SB2110 , SB2125 , SB2135 , SB2138 , SB2140 , SB2146 , SB2151 , SB2152 , SB2175 , SB2203 , SB2239 , SB2246 , SB2247 , SB2253 , SB2261 , SB2268 , SB2271 , SB2272 , SB2320 , SB2340 , SB2347 , SB2353 , SB2363 , SB2367 , SB2372 , SB2376 , SB2386

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• the state champion Dodge County Wildcats girls hockey team present, and they had a very exciting overtime
• [Applause] exciting overtime victory against a uh a exciting overtime victory against a uh a stalwart

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the fund to pay the providers. of the fund to pay the providers.
• It'd be on page 14 of the overtime pay and take the 15,000 and remove it.
• with this $15,000 of overtime pay. >> Um, and so I think it's a situation if we continue to trend this
• pay and take the 14 of the overtime pay and take the 15,000<03:20:51.439><c> and</c><03:20:51.680><c
• </c> of overtime pay. Okay. of overtime pay. Okay.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• They secured the BIIF Division championship in a dramatic triple-overtime thriller with a 10-9 win over
• <00:10:51.240><c> triple</c> championship in a dramatic triple championship in a dramatic triple overtime
• 10:53.920><c> a</c><00:10:54.000><c> 10-9</c><00:10:55.000><c> win</c><00:10:55.720><c> over</c> overtime
• thriller with a 10-9 win over overtime thriller with a 10-9 win over Kealakehe.<00:10:57.720><c> Sorry

Bills: SB2057 , SB2109 , SB2400 , HB1752 , SB2599 , SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Transcript Highlights:

• That endowment pays out, and this is also very common, pays out about 4.2% per year.
• And that pays out, so it's going to be there in perpetuity, that will pay out for New Hampshire needy
• and holiday pay.
• This pay raise affects overtime and holiday pay, and, of course, the associated benefits with that.
• ><c> and</c> this pay raise affects overtime and this pay raise affects overtime and holiday<03:33:09.479

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.