Transcript Highlights:

• And but we don't have I got to staff for workers and the 5th workers right here.
• So how many workers receiving unemployment have failed to show up for a job interview in the past year
• I'm also curious perhaps how many workers receiving unemployment have failed to respond to an actual
• Proving workers are skipping interviews or refusing jobs to stay on unemployment.
• It's about denying them the benefits they've already earned instead of punishing struggling workers that

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have our meetings tomorrow starting at 1:45 for public defender, AG, judicial performance, DA, and workers
• ' comp.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 January, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Father Joe Tarnis, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill and resolution titles. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including military leaders in the gallery, and later recognized multiple senators for announcements and requests to adjourn in memory of various individuals, including community members, public servants, and family members of senators. The main measure taken up was Senate Bill 2018, the Mississippi National Guard TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program. Senator Tate explained that the bill would reimburse eligible traditional National Guard members for health care premiums if they are TRICARE-eligible, not covered by another employer, and actively drilling. There were no questions on the bill, and it was passed by use of the morning roll call. Senator Barr requested to be recorded as not voting, and Senator Chisum was added as a co-sponsor by unanimous consent; the presiding officer then stated the entire Senate would be co-sponsors. During announcements, senators noted upcoming committee meetings, including the AIR Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Task Force, Public Health, Appropriations subcommittee meetings, and Tourism. Senator Tate also asked members to gather for a photo with General Bobby Ginn after adjournment and praised the bill as a retention and recruitment tool for the National Guard. The Senate then agreed to recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost to their TML insurance workers' comp is significant. I apologize, I'll be really quick.

Bills: HB198, HB303, HB1535, HB2742, HB3305, HB3348, HB3505, HB3711, HB4753, HB2715, HB21, HB30, HB21, HB198, HB303

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, sort of like we just assumed that teachers had workers' comp insurance.

Bills: SB175, SB195, SB196, SB199

Keywords: aircraft, tax exemption, sales tax, lease tax, maintenance, Alabama, health insurance, Medicare, retirees, public education, contracts, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, parental leave, state employees, local education agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• And one other thing I would add is that we oversee two-thirds of the workers' comp doctors. and designated

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires insurance, workers' comp, corporate officers.
• When remote operations are delayed, it falls on public sector workers—our firefighters, law enforcement
• Most importantly, SB 1246 ensures public workers are not treated as default road assistance.
• The bill requires AV companies to send a trained autonomous vehicle worker to the scene of an AV accident

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the Senate K-12 bill also take the advice of the governor and remove Q comp, or is Q comp still
• Does the Senate K-12 bill also take the advice of the governor and remove Q comp, or is Q comp still
• <00:35:50.720> still<00:35:51.520> paid remove uh Q comp or is Q comp still paid remove
• uh Q comp or is Q comp still paid for<00:35:52.480> in<00:35:52.800> the<00:35:52.960>
• <00:36:06.000> Okay, still include Q comp as well. Okay, still include Q comp as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers tell us even when they recruit new workers, too often those workers cannot find affordable
• <00:07:59.759> cannot workers, too often those workers cannot workers, too often those workers
• And Kentucky has both lending<00:19:37.840> support<00:19:38.160> comp<00:19:38.799>
• uh<00:19:39.200> programs,<00:19:40.400> the lending support comp uh programs, the
• lending support comp uh programs, the collateral<00:19:41.280> support<00:19:41.760> and

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13 Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50 Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16 State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personnel costs are also a big part of our budget, especially poll workers and early voting poll workers
• We've got a lot of poll workers.
• Personnel costs are also a big part of our budget, especially poll workers and early voting poll workers
• workers.
• We've got a lot of poll workers.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I want to make sure that these troopers who come out and work and have to use their comp time
• or have to claim comp time don't have to use it immediately, or you asking for overtime money, and if
• I don't want them working 60, 70 hours a week and then having to figure out how to burn comp time.
• time, they have to use that comp time in a very short period.
• Within six months, they have to use the comp time.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a person in common that worked for me, and he was the case worker for him, and we met to sort
• We had a person in common that worked for me, and he was the case worker for him, and we met to sort
• potentially with like a workman's comp potentially with like a workman's comp claim<01:11:07.400
• Sometimes workman's comp cases. Thanks. Yeah, any other questions?
• <01:12:35.480> cases workman's comp cases workman's comp cases thanks thanks thanks yeah<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires insurance, workers' comp, corporate officers.
• VARCOM serves the working poor, the farm workers who put food on everybody's table and keeps our agricultural
• When remote operations are delayed, it falls on public sector workers—our firefighters, law enforcement
• Most importantly, SB 1246 ensures public workers are not treated as default road assistance.
• The bill requires AV companies to send a trained autonomous vehicle worker to the scene of an AV accident

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're starting with HB 423 HD2 SD1 relating to workers' compensation.
• Okay, we'll move on to HB 423 HD1 SD1 relating to workers' compensation.
• ><00:05:51.520> SD1<00:05:52.080> relating<00:05:52.320> to<00:05:52.479> workers
• HB 423 HD1 SD1 relating to workers' compensation.
• We have Senate Bill 828, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, relating to workers' comp medical benefits.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees met several times on April 25, 2025, to resolve a number of bills, often delaying items until later in the day because of missing FIN/WAM releases or lack of quorum. Early in the day, SB 382 was discussed briefly but not advanced because finance would not release it. HB 1064, relating to the state fire marshal, was taken up and approved after conferees confirmed a $2,212,000 appropriation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund eight positions in the Department of Law Enforcement. Members thanked the many agencies, staff, and advocates involved, and the bill passed by unanimous votes of those present. Several other measures were rolled over to later conference-room meetings, including HB 423 on workers’ compensation, HB 214 on government, HB 1036, HB 1037, and HB 1039 on public employment cost items, SB 828 on workers’ compensation medical benefits, SB 717 on collective bargaining, and HB 286 on the individual housing account program, all pending FIN/WAM release or further agreement. A larger housing agenda was also postponed to 4:30 p.m. in Room 225, including bills on housing, transportation, transient accommodations development, rental housing revolving funds, dwelling unit revolving funds, and low-income housing credit. At the later transportation and housing sessions, HB 1231 was adopted as a conference draft establishing a $5 county motor vehicle registration surcharge for the Safe Routes to School special fund and clarifying rules for automated enforcement citations and liability. HB 4209 on transit-oriented development also passed; it defined transit-oriented development, created a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund, and authorized HCDA to use the definition in planning. HB 1298 on housing passed with amendments to support a government employee housing program tied to a transit-oriented development site, including funding for planning and an HHFC position. HB 830 on historic preservation reviews also passed with amendments limiting third-party review to residential or mixed-use development and setting staggered effective dates. Later, SB 662 on transportation passed with amendments authorizing county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on public streets, roadways, and highways. Several other bills remained pending and were recessed for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• pretty big disconnect between what you said Commerce was focused on and what the GMA requires for a comp
• But first, in the comp plan, you have to designate what those areas might be, right? Am I correct?
• So that would be a goal or policy in their comp plan that they want to develop more EV charging infrastructure
• Or policy in their comp plan that they want to develop more EV charging infrastructure.
• And so that's the implementation of their comp plan. Does that make sense?

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted. The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes. The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• for cause from being paid<00:13:39.960> for<00:13:40.120> accumulated<00:13:40.760> comp
• <00:13:41.880> The paid for accumulated comp time. The paid for accumulated comp time.
• cause<00:13:50.880> may<00:13:51.000> have<00:13:51.280> unused<00:13:51.640> comp
• <00:13:51.960> time cause may have unused comp time cause may have unused comp time forfeited

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• > is also employing every nurse every is also employing every nurse every social<01:54:35.599> worker
• <01:54:38.000> every social worker every uh custodian. every social worker every uh custodian
• all the pharmacies, allowing a Medicaid beneficiary to obtain the lower-cost equivalent drug and the comp
• all the pharmacies, allowing a Medicaid beneficiary to obtain the lower-cost equivalent drug and the comp
• all the pharmacies, allowing a Medicaid beneficiary to obtain the lower-cost equivalent drug and the comp

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I wanted to hear a little more of how this would affect the workers' comp situation that takes place
• I'm not sure that I could give you a very good answer about that because I think workers' comp insurance
• <01:16:53.520> comp that because I think um workers comp that because I think um workers comp
• <01:17:04.400> lot<01:17:04.560> of<01:17:04.640> the workers comp insurance
• for a lot of the workers comp insurance for a lot of the time<01:17:04.960> that<01:17:05.199

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• law this January, along with every other worker in Minnesota.
• law this January, along with every other worker in Minnesota.
• This bill, as amended, would hurt union workers.
• <00:51:52.359> in prescribe definition all workers in prescribe definition all workers in
• <01:24:12.239> that professionals so many city workers that professionals so many city workers

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I went through this process for myself when I was Commissioner of Workers' Compensation.
• And today, the comp system through other commissioners has continued to develop.

Bills: SB1642, SB1643, SB2530

Keywords: Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any of you who participate in the state deferred comp plan, you'll see the likenesses to this plan.
• These funds exist in our deferred comp plan.
• <00:29:53.200> The<00:29:53.360> account in our deferred comp plan.
• The account in our deferred comp plan.
• And so this would give an deferred comp.

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.