Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Gildon, your senator for the 25th Legislative District. Thank you.
• June Robinson, State Senator, 38th Legislative District, Chair, Ways and Means. Okay.
• Besides that, these rates were prescribed in the 2025 legislation I just spoke about on the prior slide
• As I mentioned before, recent legislation paused all Plan 1 funding through the 2027-29 biennium.
• It has eight legislators.

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on October 8 with introductions from council members and staff, then received a detailed presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on long-term economic assumptions and the state pension systems’ financial condition. OSA reported that the combined pension systems are currently 100% funded on a smoothed basis, with open plans above 95% funded, and that legacy Plan 1 systems remain on a path toward full funding under current policy. The actuaries recommended updating assumptions to 3% inflation, 3.5% general salary growth, and a 7.25% investment return, while keeping Plan 1 membership growth at 1%. They also explained asset smoothing, the role of recent strong investment returns, and the expected budget impacts of the recommended changes. Representatives from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the State Investment Board offered supporting perspectives, generally describing the assumptions as reasonable and consistent with their own outlooks. The council also heard an overview of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (WACares) from DSHS and OSA. Program staff described the program’s social insurance structure, premium collection, benefit eligibility, and upcoming implementation milestones. OSA reported that the program’s first actuarial valuation showed a positive actuarial balance under the base scenario and recommended no change to the current 0.58% premium rate during the program’s early learning phase, noting that future changes would depend on experience and the program’s risk-management framework. OSA also said the recommendation would remain the same regardless of the outcome of the pending ballot measure affecting investment options. During public comment, a representative of the Washington State School Retirees Association urged continued work on Plan 1 funding and related legislation, while the Association of Washington Cities cautioned against increasing pension assumptions in a way that could raise future employer costs and reduce flexibility for current local government services. In action, the council adopted a motion to maintain the current long-term economic assumptions by a 4-2 vote, adopted the recommendation to keep the WACares premium rate at 0.58% by a 6-0 vote, and then elected Katie Chapman as council chair by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let it dwell in our halls not just in moments of prayer but in the long difficult work of legislation
• Instead lead us to be legislators who choose the harder path, the kinder path.
• And because of it, he got passed seatbelts and child safety legislation.
• on the previous legislative day.
• Chair: ...on the previous legislative day. Is there any objection? Member: Chair, there's none.

Transcript Highlights:

• It supportive of this legislation. So with that Mister chair, that is the bill. Thank you.
• Earle, small businesses face to the closures and consolidations of community banks and the legislation
• And there's a lot of great things in this proposed legislation.
• Chair and senator has the Department of Labor Labor Review this legislation just to make sure that it
• So I feel this legislation is a step in the wrong direction.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS LEGISLATION THREATENS PRESS FREEDOM, BURDENS JOURNALISTS, AND LIMITS PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION.
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN SENATE BILL 800. >> Senator McClain: SENATORS, BATTERY LEGISLATION THAT
• WE JUST PASSED THAT LEGISLATION LAST YEAR. SO WHY ARE WE EXPANDING IT?
• LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH PROTECTIONS FOR KIDS WORKING BEING POSSIBLE FOR EMPLOYERS TO
• LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH PROTECTIONS FOR KIDS WORKING BEING POSSIBLE FOR EMPLOYERS TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration will come to order. A quorum is present.
• Cole Dren is the GOP committee legislative admin.
• Legislative Assistant Casey Peterson is our GOP committee administrator.
• Members can opt to receive $125 for their communication expenses during the legislative session.
• </c> calendar days during the legislative calendar days during the legislative session session session

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I also want to welcome from Legislative Management, Senator Beckettel and Representative Hager
• So I believe what Legislative Council had done last time is they did the high of everyone and then added
• So this is to reflect the current legislative priority where they come from operations or anywhere else
• Extraordinary repairs or legislatively authorized capital projects that are specifically authorized to
• Another one is: how are we as the board and you as legislators actually encouraging the research aspect

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs. Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions. The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is responsible legislation.
• This is responsible legislation. legislation. legislation.
• </c><00:27:52.960><c> This</c><00:27:53.160><c> legislation</c> competency system.
• This legislation competency system.
• </c> believe this is significant legislation. believe this is significant legislation.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation.
• Certainly I understand. ...this body of the history of this legislation.
• This particular legislation is no exception.
• And many times we do things in this state, and maybe we pass legislation.
• This legislation also brings accountability.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alicia Hatfield, Senior Legislative and Government Relations Advisor for Every Child California.
• There is other legislation in the space around the fusion centers in particular...
• The other house is moving forward legislation on social media and kids.
• The other house is moving forward legislation on social media and kids.
• The intent of the original legislation was clear.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no evidence of any legislative intent by the authors of the of you today.
• ,</c> committee that similar legislation, committee that similar legislation, House<00:11:48.800><c>
• </c> inexpedient to legislate on HB 1022. inexpedient to legislate on HB 1022.
• </c><00:20:22.240><c> we</c> safety research uh uh as legislators we safety research uh uh as legislators
• </c> inexpedient to legislate on HB1 1219. inexpedient to legislate on HB1 1219.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Lindbergh, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, in support.
• Why is this legislation so important?
• This is non-regulatory legislation, with no new mandates on landowners.
• Are you suggesting that without this legislation, are you suggesting that this legislation, as it’s been
• You’re suggesting that without this legislation there would be, or with this legislation, access will

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Matt Gress, Legislative District 4.
• Madam Chair, members, for the record, Matt Gress, Legislative District 4.
• I think the bulk of this legislation is needed.
• This is much narrower in scope. ...different legislative session.
• Matt Gress, Legislative District 4. Thank you for hearing this bill.

Bills: HB2093, HB2370, HB2376, HB2380, HB2381, HB2383, HB2423, HB2481, HB2621, HB2895, HB4005, HB4043, HB4109

Keywords: mental health, school curriculum, education policy, instruction requirements, statute repeal, charter schools, education, weapons detection, public safety, school administration, school districts, real estate transactions, school property, bond issuance, land use approval, capital improvements, school governance, board meetings, education funding, parental notification

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Legislative District 30. SB 1167 is about the way public notices are disseminated.
• So this problem has been going on for many, many years, and the real legislative solution to fix this
• We are in opposition to this legislation.
• We are in opposition to this legislation.
• We think that the clarity of the current legislation, which was put in. to this legislation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate your interest and participation in the legislative process.
• or federal elections because legislative or federal elections because they<00:31:55.160><c> are</c><
• What is the canvassing time for statewide elections or legislative races?
• about the needs that they legislators about the needs that they have.<00:47:02.720><c> Thank</c><00:
• It's a legislative report that we have to submit each year, and so yes, I'll get that to you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh Lord our God, strengthen the moral compass of all those who serve in legislative roles in our state
• </c><00:01:18.640><c> roles</c><00:01:18.960><c> in</c> those who serve in legislative roles in those
• who serve in legislative roles in our<00:01:19.439><c> state.
• :14:04.959><c> burden</c> legislation puts a transparency burden legislation puts a transparency burden
• </c> In summary, this legislation requires truth and proxy advice.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I get the next witness in favor of this legislation?
• Should I get the next witness in favor of this legislation? Mr.
• Next witness in favor of this legislation. Mr.
• And this doesn't have, out of legislative...
• And this doesn't have, out of legislative, This doesn't have, out of legislative review, I think we put

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an opportunity for Ross Brown from the Legislative Analyst's Office to comment.
• But we will continue to call upon legislators to restore these cuts as soon as possible.
• So thank you for that piece of legislation, and we stand in support. Good morning, Mr.
• This bill further undoes thoughtful legislation over the last five to six years.
• unforeseen knock-on effects have not been really realized in this legislation.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of this committee may need to step away for other legislative duties sometimes, including presenting
• The lack of passing this legislation means that we could have another death on our hands, and I don't
• So thank you for your time in hearing this legislation.
• There's a long process. ...chairman of the association's legislative committee.
• This legislation is more than a policy fix.

Bills: HB240

Keywords: tax exemption, farm products, ad valorem taxation, tax code, producer ownership

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of county and regional government bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097 would let counties that opt in give sheriff’s deputies an alternative appeal route for certain discipline cases through an independent hearing examiner instead of the Civil Service Commission. The author and a CLEET witness said it would be faster, cheaper, and fairer; questions focused on why the bill was needed and whether sheriffs could already use such a process. No opposition testified, and the bill was left pending. HB 4642 drew extensive testimony after the author said it was prompted by a death involving an out-of-state jail contract. The bill would require counties contracting with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas-like jail standards and oversight provisions. The author, a former detainee held in Louisiana, his wife, and a Texas Jail Project advocate described poor conditions, lack of accountability, and multiple deaths of Texans housed out of state. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards director said five counties are currently housing 1,251 Texas inmates out of state, mostly because of staffing shortages, and said the bill would give the commission more authority and oversight. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, which would allow peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face retaliation risks and should have protections similar to judges and other officials; a title industry witness cautioned that redaction should not compromise the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687 would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet specified training and certification standards, and HB 4105 and HB 4205 would give Harris County preferences in construction contracting and require pay parity for comparable law enforcement ranks within the county, respectively; all drew support from county officials and were left pending. HB 5403 would repeal a special rule requiring Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs to get commissioners court approval for commissary disbursements, and it was also left pending. Later, HB 4462 would let elected county officials in large counties choose outside counsel in civil cases involving them, rather than relying solely on the county attorney. Supporters argued this would reduce conflicts of interest and protect officials’ reputations; questions centered on who qualifies and whether it could conflict with county interests. Finally, HB 240 would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively requiring all commissioners to be present before a new tax rate can be adopted; supporters framed it as a taxpayer protection, while the Conference of Urban Counties opposed it as giving one member a de facto veto and potentially disrupting the budget process. Both bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Legislative Director for Texas for Gun Owners of America.
• You're pushing legislation that puts them at even greater risk under the guise.
• Legislation moving away from training bothers me to my core.
• I urge you to favorably consider this legislation. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• I urge you to favorably consider this legislation.

Bills: HB259, HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to testify on Senate Bill 2253. with the spirit of the legislation.
• Chair Creighton that this could be a mandate to other legislators.
• During the 2017 legislative session, the.
• For parents, this legislation provides peace of mind.
• Actually to a legislative council draft and with that.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools