Transcript Highlights:

• But if you're paying someone and you're a public employee, you're a government employee or an elected
• So because it's government employees, public employees, that are basically lobbying for whatever they
• > are</c> employees public employees that are employees public employees that are basically<04:12:17.600
• They are employees for...
• to employee benefits.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines. The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements. Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So did the administration sit down with labor unions or employee organizations to discuss the details
• to make those changes administratively on the employee side.
• The employees pay income tax from institutes, so basically we get taxes anyway from the property.
• PFML, importantly, is free for small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 25 employees.
• Some are job-related, some are not, but we want to make sure these employees are protected.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions. Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations. Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our employees go through these programs.
• We employ 150 to 200 employees throughout Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.
• We employ 150 to 200 employees throughout Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.
• They're investing in their employees and investing in training.
• There's not a business person in here that wouldn't want a trained employee.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, as amended, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor explained that the amendment removed a proposed 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales, while leaving the broader financing structure in place, including a $400 million seed appropriation and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenues into the new funds and related road accounts. Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association testified in support, and there was no opposition. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a do-pass vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for certain public works projects, while preserving a zero contribution rate where no approved program exists for a classification. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, and building trades representatives, argued the bill would close loopholes, expand training opportunities, and strengthen the workforce. Opponents, including utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico, argued it would raise project costs, duplicate existing federally approved training programs such as TTCP, and unfairly require payments from contractors who already train workers in-house or cannot access approved programs. Members debated whether the bill would affect existing in-house programs, rural access to training, and whether the language conflicted with existing law. An amendment to limit the bill to projects of $50 million or less was tabled, and the committee then passed HB 270 on a 6-5 do-pass vote. After the bill vote, the committee received a District 3 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation covering project status, funding, and equipment needs in Bernalillo, Valencia, and parts of Sandoval and Socorro counties. DOT staff reviewed completed and upcoming maintenance and STIP projects, local government and school district cooperative projects, and equipment requests. Members asked about delays on the Rio Bravo Bridge project, which DOT said were caused by utility coordination issues, and about the I-25/Gibson interchange, which remains in design and development with later-year funding anticipated. The presentation also addressed specific local projects such as Paseo del Norte and Paseo del Volcán.

Transcript Highlights:

• training providers to equip new workers with in-demand skills or upgrade the skills of existing employees
• It's over 9200 employers, over 130,000 employees, um, and, uh, providing economic benefit, um, all over
• The 1654 simply provides that police officers, firefighters, and other public safety employees cannot
• simply not being able to get well fast enough, unless the employee's position has evaluated the employee
• An administrative law judge to award benefits to an injured employee.

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; contract versus employee. &gt;&gt; contract versus employee.
• </c> per employee. per employee.
• . employees. employees.
• </c> &gt;&gt; 38,000 employees, 32,000 students. &gt;&gt; 38,000 employees, 32,000 students.
• </c> employees, over 120,000 students. employees, over 120,000 students.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review. The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest. The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision one states that a member, officer, or employee of the Senate or House of Representatives
• a contractor or other person who is not a member, officer, or employee to permanently or temporarily
• </c> authorized by the member, an employee authorized by the member, an employee who<00:03:19.160><c>
• , or employee of the Senate<00:03:31.400><c> or</c><00:03:31.480><c> House</c><00:03:31.920><c> is</c
• to permanently or temporarily employee to permanently or temporarily office<00:03:40.640><c> in</c><

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it does call out employee housing in the bill that we would be responsible to pay tax for that.
• Um, in the bill, page two, line 13, it says, uh, employees as a place of residence.
• </c><00:04:52.639><c> housing</c><00:04:52.880><c> in</c> Uh it does call out employee housing in Uh
• </c><00:05:36.400><c> as</c><00:05:36.639><c> a</c> um, line 13, it says, uh, employees as a um, line
• 13, it says, uh, employees as a place<00:05:37.120><c> of</c><00:05:37.440><c> residence.

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:04:56.000><c> same</c> employees 50 employees at the same employees 50 employees at the same location
• </c><00:05:10.720><c> if</c> choose not to remploy the employee if choose not to remploy the employee
• Um, so I would like critical employee.
• ,</c><00:07:19.280><c> the</c><00:07:19.440><c> employee</c><00:07:19.840><c> count</c> number of employees
• , the employee count number of employees, the employee count of<00:07:20.720><c> separate</c><00:07:20.960

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> employees who either retire or resign. employees who either retire or resign.
• <00:41:37.600><c> Employee.
• Employee. Sorry that's HR lingo &gt;&gt; mean? Employee.
• That's our shorthand for employee. That's our shorthand for employee.<00:41:44.600><c> Yeah.
• </c> employee. Yeah. Sorry about that. employee. Yeah. Sorry about that.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2076 relates to school safety and employees carrying concealed firearms.
• implementing a variety of policy changes to accomplish this new program, the bill says that school employees
• While it would be constitutionally permissible to immunize governmental employees, the way that the bill
• is drafted, it also includes private school employees.
• I believe it would be okay for the private school employees to still be part of that program elsewhere

Summary: The Rules Committee considered several bills for constitutional and proper form. HB 2076, concerning school safety and concealed firearms for school employees, drew an anti-abrogation concern because its civil-liability immunity would also cover private school employees; the Rules Attorney recommended limiting that immunity to public school employees. HB 2136, creating crimes for civil terrorism and subversion, raised vagueness and due process concerns because “subvert” was undefined, and the sponsor agreed to work on a clarifying amendment. HB 2158 and HB 2159, both involving Mexican wolves, were flagged for federal preemption under the Endangered Species Act; members were told amendments may be needed, including possibly striking wolves from HB 2158. HB 2497, asserting a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limiting legislative restrictions, raised legislative-entrenchment concerns, with a possible dormant Voter Protection Act issue discussed but not resolved. HB 2755, allowing renewal of state trust land mineral leases without public auction, was flagged for a possible conflict with the constitutional 20-year lease limit, and an amendment was recommended to ensure the original and renewal terms together do not exceed 20 years. HB 4030, imposing a moratorium on tax and fee increases, was flagged for a possible conflict with constitutional limits involving certain ad valorem taxes, and a carve-out amendment was suggested; HCR 2052, a related referral, was also discussed briefly. The committee voted to recommend HB 2076, HB 2136, HB 2158, HB 2159, HB 2497, HB 2755, HB 4030, and HCR 2052 as constitutional and in proper form, each by a 5-2 vote with one absent. Members also debated the legal theories raised by the Rules Attorney, including preemption, vagueness, anti-abrogation, and legislative entrenchment, but no bill was held or amended in committee during this segment. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved a mass motion holding a long list of additional House bills and several memorials and resolutions, and the Rules Office reported that those measures were constitutional and in proper form. That mass motion passed by a vote of seven ayes and one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have about 2,700 employees in the state that live in Louisiana.
• So imagine an employee that, as an entry-level employee, has a very serious condition, and now the cost
• So in passing a maximizer, it was... ...shown to harm our employees.
• But the federal government has decided it is harmful to federal employees.
• But the federal government has decided it is harmful to federal employees.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS EMPOWERS EMPLOYEES TO CHOOSE PERSONAL HEALTH PLANS FROM A BROAD MARKETPLACE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL
• NOW SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO HAS 100 EMPLOYEES HERE AND THERE HAVE THAT AS AN OPTION FOR MY CONSULTANT DOES
• WHAT ARE THOSE INSIGHT ON WHAT THE LOOKS LIKE FOR ENSURING EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PUSHED INTO THOSE IN THE
• AS AN EMPLOYER, AND IF YOU WERE MY EMPLOYEE AND THEY SAID YOU GET $8000 A MONTH NOW AND GOING TO PUT
• IF IT IS AN EMPLOYEE. CAN THE APRIL ALLOWANCE COVER IT? >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're utilizing some of those employees in other areas, and part of our budget process this year,
• we want to recategorize those employees so that we can move them around and make efficiencies within
• And again, we need more employees there to take care of those opportunities.
• When this building is finished, it's going to house around 1,100 of our employees at FTEs of the 4,000
• We have over 2,200 dedicated and passionate employees.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this against employees this against employees but<00:47:57.839><c> once</c><00:47:57.960><c> you
• what number of federal employees what number of federal employees<00:57:53.240><c> took</c><00:57:54.359
• ><c> the</c><00:57:55.359><c> um</c> employees took the um employees took the um took<00:57:57.119><c
• </c><01:03:38.160><c> or</c><01:03:38.279><c> employees</c><01:03:38.640><c> that</c> about bad employees
• or employees that about bad employees or employees that lose<01:03:38.920><c> their</c><01:03:39.079

Bills: HF3023 , HF3078 , HF107 , HF2171 , HF3079 , HF689 , HF1316

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

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Those employees were grandfathered in, so it was prospective only at that point.
• If I have a, for instance, if I have a pregnant employee, I can't dictate—thank you.
• For instance, if I have a pregnant employee, I can't dictate the type of treatment that employee is going
• Is the federal law prohibiting employee discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex?
• Is the federal law prohibiting employee discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex?

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• administered on behalf of an employee organization.
• I ask for your support. ...employees administered on behalf of an employee organization, so it's mandatory
• This bill allows non-academic employees of Western Washington University to collectively bargain.
• This is a bill concerning membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System for port workers who
• This bill just expands uses for shared leave when an employee is a victim of a hate crime or when they

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the businesses, take that $500 times the number of employees you have, and that's what it's going
• what they really emphasized was how much they're relying on businesses to carry this message to the employees
• this is super critical employees this is super critical businesses<00:03:45.480><c> have</c><00:03:45.599
• They have to get to the employees and the businesses who actually have to put this program out.
• They don't know how they're going to do this if they have 10, 12, 20, 30 employees.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A COUPLE OF ITEMS I WILL GO OVER, ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS EMPLOYEES OF CERTAIN CONTRACTED PERSONNEL MUST
• THIS IS A LIST MAINTAINED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT SERVES AS AN EMPLOYEE RESOURCE.
• EMPLOYEE ACCESS PRIVILEGES SHOULD BE LIMITED TO WHAT THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES ARE.
• EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF IT USER ACCESS PRIVILEGES INCLUDES THE DEACTIVATION BY EMPLOYEES.
• WE HAVE NORMAL EMPLOYEE ACCESS NOT TERMINATED TIMELY, FOR EXAMPLE ONE EXAMPLE 15 EMPLOYEES CONTINUED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in all 87 counties we have 243 employees in all 87 counties we have 243 employees um<00:05:06.160
• Many don't want to be an employee.
• Many don't want to be an employee.
• Many don't want to be an employee.
• Many don't want to be an employee.

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or more are municipal employees and school employees, and so on.
• or more are Municipal employees or more are Municipal Employees<00:15:35.120><c> and</c><00:15:35.399
• :36.639><c> on</c> Employees and School Employees and so on Employees and School Employees and so on
• </c> $11,000 is one very part-time employee $11,000 is one very part-time employee right<00:39:25.760
• it doesn't affect Municipal employees it doesn't affect Municipal Employees<00:58:46.440><c> it</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.