Transcript Highlights:

• Uh able to contribute to any elections. Uh able to contribute to any elections.
• were defined as a foreign national? were defined as a foreign national?
• So, whether it be uh uh contributions. So, whether it be uh uh contributions.
• But it it's it's the same contributions. But it it's it's the same contributions.
• I get donations from get contributions. I get donations from get contributions.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allow me to make some small contributions, and I will stop.
• ALLOW ME TO MAKE SOME SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS AND I WILL STOP.
• Saying that African people have not contributed anything in our society.
• Utility companies already have payment plans. Everybody knows this.
• UTILITY COMPANIES ALREADY HAVE PAYMENT PLANS. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• contribution systems in other states.
• In Massachusetts, like most states, our public higher education system has an optional defined contribution
• contribution system and not given an option to enter the defined benefit system.
• contribution system and not given an option to enter the defined benefit system.
• contribution benefit.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a range of retirement-related bills, with several witnesses and advocates focusing on pension equity, veteran benefits, and recognition for public safety workers. Representative Dennis Gallagher and Mass Retirees supported legislation to increase the long-standing veterans’ bonus from $15 to $50 per year of service, up to $1,000 annually, and described it as a modest, overdue adjustment with minimal fiscal impact. Mass Retirees also backed bills to raise the minimum survivor allowance for public retirees and to address inequities in Option B and Option C survivor benefits for retirees whose pensions were calculated under older mortality tables. The committee also heard a personal bill from Representative Jim Arceiro and Nathan McKinnon seeking creditable service for McKinnon’s years in the Nevada higher education system, which he said should count toward his Massachusetts retirement. Another individual bill was presented by Roberta Wollins, supported by Senator Keenan, to remedy what she described as misleading retirement advice from UMass Boston that affected her ability to buy back prior service and made her retirement planning inaccurate. Senator Keenan and others framed both cases as unique fairness issues rather than broad policy changes. A large panel from police, fire, corrections, EMS, and related organizations testified in favor of a COVID-19 retirement credit proposal and a study bill, arguing that essential workers who reported in person throughout the pandemic should receive recognition and a time-based retirement credit. Witnesses described exposure risks, illness, deaths, staffing strain, and long-term effects from COVID-19, and several committee members voiced support and appreciation for their service. The hearing concluded with no votes taken on the bills and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:35.120> to so when packs report contributions to so when packs report contributions
• Are we people that are contributing?
• Are we people that are<00:40:44.960> contributing? are contributing? are contributing?
• owned by an annuity or in defined owned by an annuity or in defined benefit<01:15:12.640> pension
• <01:15:13.120> planned<01:15:14.159> for benefit pension planned for benefit pension

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law and established in statute for each of the pension plans, there are employee contributions
• contribution plan, which is good because it is based on funding, but those could change quickly.
• contribution plan over the Secure Choice option because Secure Choice has employer contributions, whereas
• um there was a preference for a defined um there was a preference for a defined contribution<01:
• contribution plan over the secure contribution plan over the secure choices<01:15:22.719> option<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• detection and response plan.
• Plan 1D defines additional requirement components of those plans and 1E other rules needed to effectuate
• These plans are defined in part in House Bill 35, but many details are left to the Environment Improvement
• , and it must post these plans on the agency website.
• Does that contribute to some of the adverse health effects or could that contribute to some of the adverse

Transcript Highlights:

• As defined in the PRA, a record is...
• As defined in the PRA, a record is, and I quote, any writing which contains information related to the
• Records as defined under the PRA must be retained by the agency, staff, and commissioners in accordance
• Okay, then we will proceed with these as planned.
• This would also provide a bit more transparency about the planned review of next tax preferences.

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present. The commission approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes and then received its annual open government refresher from the Attorney General’s office, which reviewed key requirements under the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including record retention, response deadlines, exemptions, and meeting notice rules. Staff then provided a 2025 legislative session update, noting that the legislature passed 23 tax-preference-related bills, with several signed by the governor and others pending. Highlights included bills that extended or repealed certain preferences, added reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content exemptions, authorized JLARC to adjust its work plan when data is unavailable, and created a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged testimony questions for 2025. The commission also received the 2025 expedited preference review report covering 52 tax preferences, presented as an interactive table drawing on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies. Staff then outlined the process for developing the next 10-year review schedule for 2027-2036, including surveying the legislature, incorporating new and repealed preferences, and considering a possible rolling 10-year schedule. No public comment was registered. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of Ron Buing’s long service on the commission and an announcement that the next meeting would be held August 6, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• year depending on the selected plan. year depending on the selected plan.
• Ours, the EGP plan, would be done through an LMC. >> And would you like to define that for the public
• plans and providing<00:30:32.559> large<00:30:32.960> contributions.
• Um, it would become a multi-employer plan, just a different type of health plan.
• having a Cadillac plan. having a Cadillac plan.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• absence is Def how absences are defined absence is Def how absences are defined can<00:03:39.319
• state aside from the option of defining state aside from the option of defining things<00:03:52.120
• These efforts ultimately contribute to increasing graduation rates.
• These efforts ultimately contribute to increasing graduation rates.
• These efforts ultimately contribute to increasing graduation rates.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I thank you all for your contributions here in New York.
• AND SO, SO I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HERE IN NEW YORK.
• It is defined by showing up, putting in the work, and supporting one another every single day.
• Planning, which is what this bill is about.
• Because goals without plans have become expensive and dangerous here in New York State.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This information can be crucial when planning for wildfires.
• I define livable broadband... Broadband is around 20 gigabits.
• So it varies from plan to plan.
• It covered their entire phone bill of the plan they chose.
• If they chose a higher plan, they may have to pay a little bit.

Transcript Highlights:

• And from your payment plan, it sounds like it's going to be put up in four pieces.
• And from your payment plan, it sounds like it's going to be put up in four pieces.
• And from your uh payment plan, tranches.
• parties in the settlement submit a plan parties in the settlement submit a plan and<00:23:36.320
• <00:26:22.640> in<00:26:22.880> section defined in section defined in section 291c-26.<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 344 HD1, which would require new buildings to include electric vehicle charger-ready parking stalls. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the State Energy Office, Department of Accounting and General Services, the Disabilities and Communication Access Board, and others. Members asked about cost and infrastructure impacts; the State Energy Office said the added cost would likely be modest if planned from the start, but that electrical capacity remains a key challenge for expanding EV charging. The chairs proposed two amendments: extending the bill to cover on-grade parking lots and adding language for Level 1 or Level 3 charging when appropriate. After discussion, both committees voted to pass HB 344 HD1 with amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, the chair voted aye, one member voted with reservation, and excused members were noted; the Government Operations committee also passed the measure, with one aye vote and one vote with reservations. The committees also heard House Bill 10001 HD1 SD1, relating to the Maui wildfire settlement trust fund. The Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Maui County, and the Tax Foundation testified in support. Members questioned Hawaii Electric Industries’ ability to fund its share of the settlement and whether the state should pay first or in tranches. The chair proposed amendments requiring all defendant parties to submit payment plans and proof of ability to pay, and requiring non-state defendants to fund their shares into escrow before the state releases its share. The committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously by the members present. Later, the committee deferred action on House Bill 229 HD1 until March 20 for clarification on amendments, then passed House Bill 860 HD1 with amendments addressing liability for limited resurfacing of disputed roads, and passed House Bill 1161 HD2 with amendments concerning highway fund use, formula calculations, and EV-related county fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our plan in Montana is a multiple-employer, IRS tax-qualified length of service award plan.
• Volunteers, of course, pay no contributions to the plan as they're volunteers.
• For a defined benefit length of service award plan such as our plan in Montana, best practice dictates
• This valuation process, like those for all of the other defined benefit plans we administer in our state
• So in our plan, we also have some important filing requirements to keep the integrity of the plan in

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a defined term.
• one of these plans the unique plan<00:56:24.319> Fidelity<00:56:24.839> is<00:56:24.960
• The IFA program statute in 194-F-1 defines the administration as defined in 77G.
• <01:13:31.320> in<01:13:31.600> RSA actually defined in RSA actually defined in RSA
• and by the way my wife and I contribute and by the way my wife and I contribute to<01:49:43.000>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions of the bill to committees that have not filed a termination statement but certify that no contributions
• I guess the committee that certifies that no contributions were received and no expenditures were made
• So my understanding of what you said very quickly is if there are no contributions, they do not have
• Madam Representative Carter, the bill prohibits penalties against the committees if no contributions
• incentive payment to a participating employee's defined contribution plan account if the contribution

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees. A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work. The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. planning to go into into uh testifying planning to go into into uh testifying tonight<00:01
• A uniform, legislatively defined contribution simplifies payroll and administrative processes.
• A uniform, legislatively defined contribution simplifies payroll and administrative processes.
• A uniform, legislatively defined contribution simplifies payroll and administrative processes.
• A uniform, legislatively defined contribution simplifies payroll and administrative processes.

Bills: HF1976

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amended the bill to include compliance with ADEQ's non-point source management plan as an
• alternative to compliance with the county's water quality management plan for financial assistance eligibility
• And then it defines both television program and television series as a recurring or episodic production
• To committees that didn't have contributions and expenditures.
• and made no expenditures, and if the committee subsequently received contributions and expenditures,

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their contributions should not go unnoticed.
• Army during one of the most defining moments in our world history.
• Plan, which is costing about $36,000 a year, and she joined a cost share plan to lower her bills and
• The Hurricanes showed the grit and teamwork that defines our state.
• In 2021, we passed the American Rescue Plan Act.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico's plans, and we take...
• They have a plan for managing the unknown.
• And that ERB is contributing 10.7%.
• Or to set up a plan for putting more funding into the plan. But I mean, that's just me.
• , employer contributions, and benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• civic contribution. Thank you, Mr. civic contribution. Thank you, Mr.
• His plan is to stay where his plan is.
• That's your Social Security contribution. That's your Medicare contribution.
• That's your Social Security contribution. That's your Medicare contribution.
• That's your Social Security contribution. That's your Medicare contribution.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all