Transcript Highlights:

• So in those particular pieces of legislation where you attempt to abolish offices, is it fair to say
• And I don't believe that that is right to him, and it's not fair to the voters in my parish.
• If you believe in free and fair elections, you know this bill is wrong.
• That authority is grounded in full and fair access to this democratic process.
• That authority is grounded in full and fair access to this democratic process, and it carries a responsibility

Bills: SB256

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That this stay should not be viewed as a resolution in this matter but is done in fairness to the defendant
• That this stay should not be viewed as a resolution in this matter but is done in fairness to the defendant
• That this stay should not be viewed as a resolution in this matter but is done in fairness to the defendant
• That this stay should not be viewed as a resolution in this matter but is done in fairness to the defendant
• That this stay should not be viewed as a resolution in this matter but is done in fairness to the defendant

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate committee met under Rule 39 to consider proceedings related to the impeachment of Judge Julie Muth Goodman of the Fayette Circuit Court. Chair Storm explained that the House had transmitted impeachment articles on March 24, 2026, and that the Kentucky Constitution requires the Senate to address them. He also noted a preliminary Kentucky Supreme Court order issued April 6, 2026, in Judge Goodman’s separate lawsuit against the House, and said the Court revealed she is also facing a parallel Judicial Conduct Commission proceeding on the same issues. The chair emphasized that the committee’s actions were guided by constitutional duties and fairness to the defendant. Senator Howell moved that the committee recommend to the full Senate that impeachment proceedings be stayed indefinitely pending completion of the Judicial Conduct Commission investigation, with the understanding that the stay would not waive the Senate’s constitutional authority. Senator Carroll seconded the motion. Senator Chambers-Armstrong said she would vote yes on the stay but preferred the body explicitly dismiss the complaint or otherwise state it would take no further action, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling as unconstitutional for further action. The committee voted 7-0 in favor of the motion, with all members present voting aye. Chair Storm then directed staff to prepare the motion as a committee report to the full Senate and stressed that the action should not be construed as an acquittal or as the Senate relinquishing any constitutional rights or duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• In general, we feel that lease renewals should be negotiated on fair market value and not just a continuation
• That would have been wonderful in this case to get fair market value.
• market value if it something below fair market value if it was<00:38:22.880><c> in</c><00:38:23.040>
• Seeing none, we'll close the hearing on 694 and we will be in recess until 10:15. describes the fair
• in Montana and in being put forward in Montana and in Arkansas<01:27:52.480><c> as</c><01:27:52.800><

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• But we are actually doing our budget in May in the Senate, and we are currently doing the budget in the
• in Lisboa.
• things in our country, so we have to work in partnership.

Summary: The commission met to approve prior minutes, hear updates on funding and deadline extensions, and continue planning for a Cape Verdean Culture Center/Museum in Boston. Members reviewed the commission’s charge, including developing an organizational structure, governance model, feasibility study, community engagement plan, and possible nonprofit structure. The minutes from the March 11 meeting were approved after a motion and second, with one noted correction about duplicate section numbering. A major discussion focused on legislative and budget options to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 and to preserve or secure funding for a feasibility study and related work. Legislators said an amendment to the fair share budget was not accepted, but they would continue looking for a vehicle such as the regular budget, supplemental budget, or another bill. Members also discussed the possibility of future earmarks or bond funding, and the need to fill a current vacancy on the commission. The bulk of the meeting was a brainstorming session on community engagement. Commissioners supported a three-part approach involving site visits, listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, with added emphasis on social media, a website, surveys, canvassing, and other tools to reach people across the diaspora. Members suggested prioritizing locations such as New Bedford, Cape Cod, Boston, Brockton, and possibly Pawtucket, and discussed working with existing Cape Verdean organizations, museums, and historical groups. There was also discussion of best practices from other cultural institutions, the importance of historical accuracy and youth engagement, and whether to involve the Cape Verdean government after upcoming elections. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• To issue bonds in scenarios where the fair plan faces financial strain due to catastrophic events.
• This came to a head in February when the Fair Plan requested financial assistance from its member company
• If you believe in transparency in our local governments it's important If you believe transparency in
• Today, I rise in adjournment in memory of David Myers.
• Born in 2002.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A in the in the and to delete section A in the in the bill,<00:18:50.400><c> which</c><00:18:50.640><
• </c> in any way? in any way?
• </c> wager in an in-person sporting event. wager in an in-person sporting event.
• </c> in place now. in place now.
• </c> participating in in 287G. participating in in 287G.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and in all fairness to Chairman Han, the date in here was February 2nd.
• But that’s only in that district.
• Um, and in in all fairness to case here.
• Um, and in in all fairness to uh<00:03:41.840><c> Chairman</c><00:03:42.239><c> Han,</c><00:03:43.519
• </c> uh but that's only in that district. uh but that's only in that district.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division A

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 17 February, 2026; 10:45 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• many cases in harm's way. performing active duty military roles in many cases in harm's way and this
• I respectfully ask that you support and advance S. 1908 to restore fairness to those of us injured in
• I gave birth to three sons: one in January 1998, one in March 2000, and one in September 2004.
• I think it's a fair bill. I appreciate you all in the consideration of this. Thank you very much.
• Strongly in support of this legislation, and I think it's a fair bill.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward. Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis. The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we signed in other.
• You can find additional information in the bill analysis in the EBB.
• In recent times, we've seen increases in certain areas, for example...
• Vanderwood talks about in terms of change orders in order to make that happen.
• I see it in my own district.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5874, staff and Senator McEwen described a proposal to let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor quarterly reporting errors by employers, especially inadvertent electronic filing issues involving occupational codes and job titles. No one testified in opposition, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical providers, allow medically appropriate departures from L&I treatment rules, prohibit employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and set timelines for utilization review. Supporters, including workers’ advocates and union representatives, said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and raised concerns about costs and claim duration. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that the fiscal note was still being updated. A previously adopted claims-manager staffing amendment was discussed but not included in the version heard. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, the committee heard testimony on requiring public works contracts to update prevailing wage rates annually rather than freezing them at bid time. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting workers from wage erosion on long projects, while contractor groups opposed it unless amended to allow change orders for wage increases above 5 percent, citing unpredictable jumps in prevailing wage rates and added risk for small contractors. L&I requested a delayed effective date to July 1, 2028 because of IT changes. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 5944, which would make missed or canceled appointment payments bargained economic compensation for language access providers, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population. Labor groups supported both bills; counties and a city representative opposed 5972 over cost concerns and asked for fiscal safeguards. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, which would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors are used for the same type of finishing work on a public works project. Labor and contractor groups both supported the amended version, saying it targets misclassification without banning legitimate independent contractors. The hearing ended after testimony, with no votes or final committee actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why we crafted this is to say that in those places it has to be fair.
• And that's why we crafted this is to say that in those places it has to be fair.
• And that's why we crafted this is to say that in those places it has to be fair.
• </c><00:29:08.320><c> it's</c><00:29:08.559><c> in</c> in aviation it's in construction it's in in aviation
• hope in in my industry.

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, as was talked about, this was a statute that came in place in 2023.
• </c><00:21:00.159><c> place</c><00:21:00.400><c> in</c> was a statute that came in place in was a statute
• Casper in September.
• </c> Who wants to weigh in? Who wants to weigh in?
• &gt;&gt; Fair<00:46:30.880><c> enough,</c> &gt;&gt; Fair enough, &gt;&gt; Fair enough, Senator<00:46:

Bills: HB0085 , HB0086

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: elections, audit procedures, ballot integrity, political party observation, transparency, county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This process, in my view, has nothing to do with making things fair if you look at the four districts
• I live in one of them. Brown communities already don't have fair representation.
• We believe in local control. ...fair maps.
• Okay, so is it fair to say that the Pettway case that was ruled upon in 2024 was certainly after the.
• It's essential that we actively participate in the democratic process, and fair redistricting is a critical

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was in a courtroom in San Diego County.
• And secondarily, it also makes sure that we are protecting our workers in the establishment of a fair
• And so the sooner we can figure out ways to generate revenues that create fairness in our system that
• I just want to applaud your work in this area in particular.
• in this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now, in fairness, there was one city not noted on the list...
• So now, in fairness, there was one city not noted on the list: the City of Dallas, which has effectively
• Versus what's happening in Pampa versus Brownsville. Yes, sir. Would that be fair to say?
• And I will say in fairness, the language related to payday lending that's in the Finance Code actually
• a certain circumstance or whether it is fair or unfair in a certain circumstance.

Committee: House Governmental Oversight, Select

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had series in my district, film in my hometown.
• Frankly, if you were running this for the Tulsa State Fair, I would have the very same question in all
• fairness. ...the state fair.
• I would have the very same question in all fairness.
• same question in all fairness. so state fair I would have the very same question in all fairness what

Bills: SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• By combining general fund dollars with monies allocated in the Fair Share supplemental budget, the Senate
• This year, we're estimating fair share surtax to generate about $2.7 billion in revenues.
• You know, beginning in FY24, just a few years ago, we started using so-called fair share dollars in our
• Just a few years ago, we started using so-called fair share dollars in our operating budget.
• In fact, in FY26... In FY26, we did not fund the C-3 program at $150 million.

Summary: The Senate first adopted two resolutions commending the Plimpton Historical Society for Deborah Sampson Day and Megan’s Light for recognizing May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions, referred those matters to committees, and later took up final passage of two local bills: one authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional off-premises liquor license and another relative to the charter of Westwood. Both bills were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The main business of the session was the opening debate on the Senate Ways and Means FY27 budget, which was described as a balanced $63.3 billion proposal. The chair and supporters highlighted major investments in unrestricted local aid, Chapter 70 education funding, regional school transportation, rural aid, community college affordability, food security, housing, and health and human services. They also emphasized that the budget was built on the consensus revenue estimate, included no new taxes or tax cuts, did not use the rainy day fund, and relied in part on federal funds and Fair Share revenue. In extended questioning, the minority leader pressed for details on the budget’s assumptions and cost drivers, including federal participation, Fair Share revenue, debt service, MassHealth caseload and spending, pension and OPEB liabilities, settlement reserves, collective bargaining funding, and controls against waste, fraud, and abuse. The chair responded that federal funds account for about 22% of budgeted revenues, Fair Share revenue is estimated at about $2.7 billion, debt service is about $2.67 billion, MassHealth and related health and human services total about $36.4 billion, pension funding is $5.1 billion, and OPEB receives a $150 million payment. Members also discussed the C-3 child care program, DTA program integrity, and housing permitting reforms, with several senators speaking in support of the budget’s priorities and urging further debate and amendments before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a point in time when our counterparts in the federal government in the Oval Office have unleashed
• By combining general fund dollars with monies allocated in the Fair Share supplemental budget, the Senate
• This year, we're estimating fair share surtax to generate about $2.7 billion in revenues.
• You know, beginning in FY24, just a few years ago, we started using so-called fair share dollars in our
• Just a few years ago, we started using so-called fair share dollars in our operating budget.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we heard a lot about fair chase in the testimony on this. To me, this isn't about fair chase.
• I mean, fair chase is subjective; it's in the eye of the beholder, right?
• in the in ourselves in the legislature for leaving it to this to the end of session and then saying
• In the course of that glamping operation, they went in and put in sewer systems that weren't permitted
• was in Idaho.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 895, which would require data centers using water for cooling to use non-consumptive closed-loop systems or secure water from a municipality or other water user so they do not draw more from the system than can be sustained. Representative Raybould presented the bill, and Representative Mickelsen moved it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved that motion by voice vote. The bulk of the meeting focused on Idaho Fish and Game’s advanced hunting technology rule package, including restrictions on transmitting trail cameras, thermal optics, night vision, drones, and related technologies. Fish and Game staff and Director Jim Frederick described a lengthy public process, survey results showing broad hunter opposition to many technologies, and the commission’s effort to balance hunter opportunity, fair chase concerns, and enforceability. Several committee members objected to the rule package, arguing it conflicted with state law, changed substantially from the original proposal, and should have been handled by legislation rather than rulemaking. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to hold the docket until an odd-numbered day the following week, effectively delaying action. The committee then heard House Bill 910, which would create a statutory framework for the Department of Lands and Parks and Recreation to jointly manage recreation opportunities on endowment lands while protecting existing uses and maximizing revenue to the endowment. The bill drew questions about approval authority, existing MOUs, impacts on grazing and other current uses, and whether it would expand recreation development. Supporters said it would streamline management and generate revenue; opponents worried it would promote more recreation on endowment lands and create conflicts. The committee approved the bill on a 9-6 roll call vote. It also sent Senate Bill 1303, updating renewable energy language in a state fund statute, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 124, recognizing wildlife crossing projects, to the floor with due pass recommendations. House Bill 878, dealing with firefighter pay and fire suppression fund issues, was sent to House General Orders. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Memorial 111 on protecting federal public lands from disposal; after testimony and debate over public access, fragmented parcels, and federal land management, the committee had not yet reached a final disposition in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did meet with, spend a fair amount of time with HHS on this topic, and we do have agency buy-in
• Actually, we did this back in January. We had our fifth annual virtual job fair.
• We invested in a platform called Easy Virtual Fair.
• Then we've kicked off our in-person job fair season here in Bismarck. We have...
• Then we've kicked off our in-person job fair season here in Bismarck.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous minutes, and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has been reviewing statewide cash, liquidity, and investment practices, finding that the state generally manages money well but could improve forecasting, automation, and coordination across agencies. He highlighted that the state has about $35 billion in liquid assets and investments, with most in longer-term investments, and described a change already underway replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work. Members also discussed the impact of House Bill 1176 on Legacy Fund earnings and the possibility of future legislation to avoid losing investment returns when large transfers are made all at once. The board also noted that some agencies still hold funds outside the Bank of North Dakota system, and that this is being reviewed. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the Task Force on Government Efficiency, saying the group has focused on how to measure whether programs are actually working. He said the task force has not yet proposed legislation, but the administration has agreed that new and expanding programs should answer five questions, including who is affected, what outcome is expected, whether there is another way to do it, and how success will be measured. Members discussed the need for dashboards, program evaluators, better data collection, and possible use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate or outdated programs. Toman said the task force will continue reviewing agency workflows, with upcoming presentations from courts, the university system, the auditor, and other agencies, and that future legislation or rule changes may be needed to require performance metrics. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota presented labor market and program updates. He reported that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5%, labor force participation is about 68.7%, and the state continues to rank near the top nationally. He reviewed job openings, in-demand occupations, and several workforce programs, including H-2A agricultural worker inspections, the Job Placement Partnership Program with DOCR, and virtual and in-person job fairs. Davis said the DOCR partnership has shown strong results, with lower recidivism and higher earnings for participants, and he emphasized that Job Service tracks outcomes and reports them to federal and state partners. Members asked about child care subsidies, workforce participation, agency coordination, and whether more staff are needed for H-2A inspections. Finally, Allen Knutson presented the updated S&P Global revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the last update, making the revenue outlook more favorable but still volatile. S&P’s baseline forecast showed the current biennium’s four major tax collections about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and a much larger increase for the next biennium, though he cautioned that federal tax changes and oil market uncertainty could alter the numbers. In an alternate scenario using higher near-term oil prices, he estimated about $242 million more in oil and gas tax collections and roughly $120 million more for the Strategic Investment Fund. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about changes in tribal oil production assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Including everybody who had the change in their benefits because of the budget in 2023.
• </c><00:15:24.839><c> the</c> wish we all had all the money in the wish we all had all the money in the
• Drive safe. that up as as to the policy um back in that up as as to the policy um back in 1988<00:21:
• In my case, I had $34,000 in my personal account.
• the</c><00:37:12.560><c> Senate</c> heard in finance again in the Senate heard in finance again in the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 637, which was described as a measure to make whole certain New Hampshire Retirement System retirees who were not included when Senate Bill 57 was incorporated into the 2023 budget. The chair and several members reviewed the bill’s legislative history and fiscal impact, citing estimates that the broader change would cost about $1.4 million to the state and $5.74 million to municipalities, with an actuarial liability increase of about $45 million. The chair argued that the omission of already-retired members was not an oversight but a policy choice made in the Senate, based on the bill’s prospective language and the budget process used in 2023. Testimony and discussion focused on whether the bill should be treated as a fairness correction or as an expensive policy expansion. Supporters, including retirees and representatives of employee groups, said the language was unclear, the fiscal note did not match the bill’s effect, and the change would unfairly leave out actual retirees who had expected the same treatment as active members. They also argued that the retirement system historically linked benefits to Social Security and that the bill would restore equity for those affected. Opponents emphasized the cost, the prospective nature of the original language, and the view that the Senate knowingly chose not to extend the change retroactively. After discussion, the chair moved to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, and the motion was seconded. Members then heard brief public comments after the motion was withdrawn and reintroduced because of the weather and the public’s travel. At the final vote, the subcommittee recommended inexpedient to legislate on a 3-2 vote, with the chair noting that the full committee would take up other bills at a later subcommittee hearing.