Transcript Highlights:

• And 4172 makes some adjustments to who's eligible to be buried in the state veterans cemetery.
• And 4172 makes<00:04:20.040><c> some</c><00:04:20.239><c> adjustments</c><00:04:20.799><c> to</c><00:
• 04:20.920><c> who's</c><00:04:21.200><c> eligible</c> makes some adjustments to who's eligible makes
• In the next two slides, I'm going to demonstrate the requested pay adjustments.
• We ask you legislative adjustments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the increase in personnel services is for standard statewide adjustments.
• Lastly, the increase in personnel services is for standard statewide adjustments, as well as the addition
• State general fund is also seeing a minor increase for standard statewide adjustments and additional
• This is largely due to the standard statewide adjustments, the reduction of 36 vacant positions, and
• The One Door system makes up the entire professional services adjustment and is also included in the

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doing a lot of deep thinking and analysis about how to best help Vermont and its education system adjust
• c><00:01:45.000><c> to</c><00:01:45.080><c> declining</c><00:01:45.560><c> enrollment,</c> system adjust
• to declining enrollment, system adjust to declining enrollment, enormous<00:01:47.000><c> school</c>
• based on what the facilitators adjust based on what the facilitators learn<00:05:10.320><c> on</c><00
• The facilitator has the flexibility to adjust those groups based on information like this.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No serious legislation claiming to protect the equal rights of all can be drafted without it.
• No serious legislation<00:41:57.600><c> claiming</c><00:41:57.960><c> to</c><00:41:58.080><c> protect
• </c><00:41:58.480><c> the</c> legislation claiming to protect the legislation claiming to protect the
• Senate File 473 creates the problem it claims to resolve, inequality.
• </c> Constitution, that claim goes in front Constitution, that claim goes in front of<01:25:46.600><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But do we want to be going to small claims court for every— No. No.
• But do we want to be going to small claims court for every— No. No.
• ><c> for</c><00:35:31.359><c> every</c> small claims court for every small claims court for every &gt
• ,</c> animal has not been returned or claimed, animal has not been returned or claimed, you<01:21:35.760
• </c> animal has not been returned or claimed. animal has not been returned or claimed.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we take a look to see if they're still suitable for projecting future member behavior or if some adjustments
• And I stress the word adjustments there because we're not making any sweeping changes here.
• So based on these takeaways and these observations, we made adjustments to our assumptions, and those
• The MVA makes no adjustment to annual investment returns.
• Starting off with Plan 3 includes an employer-funded guaranteed pension with a cost-of-living adjustment

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Buzwa, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development: As Representative McMakin described, this purely adjusts
• We have not adjusted our fees inside of the department, the self-generated fees that we charge when we
• The agency are not being adjusted.
• The fee adjustments are between $5 and at most $35, and not all fees have been adjusted.
• We would note that these fees have not been comprehensively adjusted since 2013.

Bills: HB214 , HB217 , HB514 , HB593 , HB618 , HB732 , HB908 , HB961 , HB1010

Committee: Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees, and typically we get cost-of-living adjustments every year.
• Departments don't always receive inflation adjustments, so they, you know, if there's... now CDCR gets
• an inflation adjustment for food costs, but for years it was kind of like they just absorbed increased
• And we're working now to make that. ...to make the necessary adjustments for May revision to include
• So to the extent that something isn't captured in the Governor's budget in that population adjustment

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at national inflation, and then we look at a regional adjustment.
• So, yeah, that forecast for real salary growth, not necessarily, but it's the inflationary adjustment
• And so with that in mind, we then considered whether OSA should be making any adjustments to those SIB
• At the end of the day, though, we found that the adjustments were largely unneeded or offsetting.”
• They included a one-time 3% cost-of-living adjustment in the first year, and this is along the lines

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states. The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans. Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting. Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The operating adjustment is critical to provide for the rising costs at our agency due to the various
• Adopting the governor's recommended operating adjustment will reflect this in the Senate position and
• will reflect this reflected adjustment will reflect this reflected in<00:27:04.400><c> the</c><00:27
• Demand for the agency's general fund services has grown over time, and without any operating adjustment
• We sincerely appreciate the governor's recommendation for a modest operating adjustment, and we urge

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• if you turn to page number 6, we will kind of get into one of the first things that we made an adjustment
• could both... ...setback and a setback that might be potentially adjusted because of a screening could
• And there wasn't, that I know of, any significant adjustments to this part of the bill that dealt with
• So kind of looking at it from an all-in perspective where we've adjusted. Their solar project.
• I think it's time that we set some parameters, and we can always make an adjustment if need be.

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to direct my comments to three main areas: adjustments that were made from the original House
• The first adjustment deals with page 24 and 6 of the original bill in the House Committee substitute.
• We have removed the sections of the bill that make adjustments to both the extension of the no-excuse
• I mean, the people that are in charge of both parties in our state, they welcome this adjustment.
• an adjustment on this allocation, it has to conform as closely as possible to the primary results.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Elections Committee met in executive session first and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2387, which combined HB 2387 and HB 2480. The substitute removed provisions on extending no-excuse in-person absentee voting and shortening the absentee voting window, shifted the presidential candidate filing fee to be set by state party committees, and added language to bind presidential delegates to primary results while allowing national party rules to control where required. Members discussed the legal basis for delegate binding, party input on the substitute, and the role of closed primaries, then the committee voted 10-2-1 to do pass HB 2387 as substituted. The committee also passed House Bill 1987 and House Concurrent Resolution 23 without opposition, and passed House Bill 1802 after members discussed election transparency and concerns about applying the measure uniformly across counties; the vote was 11-2. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2605, which would update election notice requirements, especially for bond elections. Sponsor Rep. McGaugh and the State Auditor’s office said the bill would address technical publication errors that had jeopardized voter-approved bond issues by allowing notice defects to be cured if no election contest is filed within 30 days, while also allowing one newspaper publication and one direct mailing notice. Testimony from county clerks, school administrators, a fire district, the Missouri Press Association, and others generally supported the bill as a practical fix, though one witness urged broader website posting of notices. The hearing also covered House Bill 2301, a campaign finance cleanup bill that would clarify definitions and reporting rules in Chapter 130, especially for continuing committees and indirect political spending; the sponsor said it was intended to fix ambiguity from prior law, and the only testimony in favor called for additional restrictions on recurring donations and more transparency. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1787, which would require schools used as polling places to treat election days as school holidays beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve child safety and could also help with staffing and voter participation, while members raised concerns about school calendars already being set and whether the mandate should instead be optional or delayed to a later school year. A witness in favor supported the safety goal but asked for local control and a later effective date. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good thing we have those adjustable tables. Yes, sir. Yes, yes.
• By way of background, the JLBC is annually required to adjust the By way of background, the JLBC is annually
• required to adjust the school facilities division cost per square foot factors for new school facilities
• If the committee does approve this adjustment, it would need to be made retroactive to December 10, 2025
• If the committee does approve this adjustment, it would need to be made retroactive to December 10, 2025

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next change item is on line 52 and this is the operating adjustment for the petroleum tank release
• The next change item is on line 52 and this is the operating adjustment for the petroleum tank release
• The first one is operating adjustment. proposal that was in the Senate bill. proposal that was in the
• for the petroleum tank adjustment for the petroleum tank release<00:05:01.360><c> compensation</c><00
• ><c> are</c><00:05:30.000><c> operating</c> Operating adjustments are contained in numerous agencies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the House agrees to the Senate's proposal for the modification of this item and also proposes to adjust
• to ensure that any amounts reserved for administrative costs for those grant programs um will be adjusted
• </c><00:04:22.240><c> OHEI's</c> proposes to uh adjust OHEI's proposes to uh adjust OHEI's appropriations
• programs<00:04:34.800><c> um</c><00:04:35.440><c> will</c><00:04:35.759><c> be</c><00:04:36.000><c> adjusted
• </c><00:04:36.720><c> to</c><00:04:37.040><c> these</c> programs um will be adjusted to these programs

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on a House counteroffer to a higher education budget and policy agreement, with Ken Savory walking members through spreadsheet changes and Mr. Hopkins reviewing policy items. On the budget side, the House adjusted several appropriations and savings targets, including state grants, child care grants, student teacher and shortage area grants, student parent support, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research grants, dual training grants for legal cannabis employers, and University of Minnesota cannabis research. The House also noted no change to Minnesota State, alignment with the Senate on the summer academic enrichment program, and that remaining state grant parameters would continue to be negotiated. On policy, the House said some items were agreed to and grayed out, including campus sexual misconduct policy and treatment of appropriations. The House kept its original position on the NN Mayo Clinic Partnership and did not include K-12 direct admissions or the College Financing Literacy Act. It also proposed adjusting OHEI appropriations for competitively and legislatively named grant programs so administrative cost reserves would conform to 10% and 5% parameters when current law is below those levels. The committee then heard testimony in support of continuing the spinal cord injury/traumatic brain injury grant program at its current level. Joey Carlson described his spinal cord injury, his career path, and how the program helped advance research and industry connections, while Matthew Broadick argued the program has produced clinical trials, FDA approval-related progress, jobs, and strong return on investment. He also said the program belongs at the Office of Higher Education rather than the Department of Health because its mission better fits research and innovation. Members asked about the program’s long-term home, and the witnesses defended OHE’s role. No votes were taken; the chair thanked the House for the offer, said it would be reviewed, and recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also make adjustments to these loss percentages to account for planting and harvesting progress.
• But again, we may make further adjustments as we collect more of that in case we learn about more delayed
• We also make adjustments to these loss percentages to account for planting and harvesting progress.
• But again, we may make further adjustments as we collect more of that in case we learn about more delayed
• They can utilize it for a baseline and then go from there and then, you know, make adjustments as needed

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture convened with a quorum present and heard two presentations. Commissioner Wilton Simpson, head of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, outlined department accomplishments and funding needs, including IT modernization, expansion of the Rural and Family Lands program, updated best management practice manuals, growth of the Fresh From Florida marketing campaign, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, clearing concealed-weapons permit backlogs, construction of the Conner Complex headquarters, forestry equipment upgrades, and youth agriculture programs such as FFA and 4-H. Senators asked about water policy, citrus greening, FAMU partnerships, staffing efficiencies, and interdiction stations used to stop invasive species, stolen goods, and diseased or banned agricultural products from entering the state. Dr. Krista Court of the University of Florida/IFAS presented a preliminary economic assessment of the 2024 hurricane season’s agricultural impacts from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. She explained that the estimates are based on wind, rainfall, flooding, crop location, and survey data from extension agents, industry groups, FDACS, and producers, and that the figures do not include many asset losses, supply-chain effects, forestry losses, or some insurance-covered damages. Her preliminary estimates placed total 2024 agricultural production losses between about $402.3 million and $975.8 million, with the hardest-hit commodity groups including field and row crops, vegetables, melons, potatoes, greenhouse/nursery products, and animals and animal products. Members discussed the importance of accurate survey participation and baseline data, including use of USDA Farm Service Agency information, to improve future disaster estimates and federal relief decisions. Several senators emphasized agriculture’s importance in their districts and statewide. No bills were considered and no formal votes were taken; the only action was adjournment by motion of Senator Burton.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so, the only proposed adjustment as I understand the bill here is to adjust the financial consequences
• Uh so, the<00:21:30.320><c> only</c><00:21:30.600><c> proposed</c><00:21:31.040><c> adjustment</c><00
• :21:31.480><c> as</c><00:21:31.640><c> I</c> the only proposed adjustment as I the only proposed adjustment
• </c> understand the bill here is to adjust understand the bill here is to adjust the<00:21:33.560><c>
• In fact, there may be some savings because by limiting the claims to what is expressly put into statute

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently working to make the necessary adjustments to our future estimates based on new data.
• We withhold recommendation on the population-related budget adjustments, given that they'll be updated
• But again, we are already working to update and make adjustments to our May revision projections.
• Kathy Jefferson: We are already working to update and make adjustments to our May revision projections
• LAO: We don’t have any concerns with the specific budget adjustments before you related to the closure

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety heard updates on CDCR’s population projections and the preliminary fiscal impacts of Proposition 36. CDCR said its fall 2025 projections show continued declines in the institution and parole populations through June 2030, while noting Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but remain uncertain. The LAO said the administration’s Prop. 36 estimates may be somewhat low because they were based on only six months of implementation data, and the Department of Finance agreed the methodology is still developing. Committee members asked about the offenses driving admissions and the sentence-length impacts, and CDCR identified the main qualifying offenses and enhancements it is tracking. No votes were taken. The committee then discussed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave cashouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said vacancy reductions and prison closures have reduced the salary savings historically used to cover these costs. The LAO supported the funding only on a limited-term basis and urged more oversight and reporting on CDCR’s structural shortfall, while the Department of Finance argued ongoing funding is needed because leave liabilities are mandatory and salary savings are less stable. Members raised concerns about transparency, asked about leave buyback practices and accrued leave balances, and requested more information before the May Revision. Members also heard CDCR’s proposals for $10 million for the final two statewide video surveillance projects and $15.2 million for Fire Watch coverage and related fire alarm work. The LAO supported the Fire Watch request as a one-time health and safety cost, while CDCR explained the aging prison infrastructure and the need for interim safety measures while longer-term replacement planning is developed. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s proposal to close the California Rehabilitation Center, which would produce a net General Fund reduction of $99.6 million in 2026-27 and ongoing savings of more than $150 million starting in 2027-28. CDCR said the closure is driven by sustained population declines and will include retention and realignment funding; the LAO recommended approval. Public comment focused on county funding for Prop. 36 implementation, opposition to using Prop. 36 as a reason to keep prisons open, and support for community-based rehabilitation programs. The hearing adjourned without any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• French benefits, if added, might cost of living adjustment puts Oklahoma at number two again.
• salaries, the average first-year salary is second from the bottom, just ahead of Missouri, even when we adjust
• So first Of all, thank you for bringing a cost of living adjusted salary comparison because I think that
• done an analysis of How Oklahoma compares to surrounding states in the national average when you adjust
• If you adjust just for inflation over the last decade, that non-instructional The dollar should be closer

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is being adjusted, but there is no need to worry about that.
• The bill is being adjusted, but there is no need to worry about that.
• The bill is being adjusted, but there is no need to worry about that.
• It was adjusted, but there is no need to worry. There is only one footnote, and that is all.

Keywords: 927, senate, all