Transcript Highlights:

• Morales of Maverick relating to the compensation paid to certain county and precinct officers and employees
• Education HB 1065 at Derazio relating to the classification of employees by a company license holder
• by CurRI relating to the cost of living adjustment applicable to certain benefits played by the employees
• relating to the prohibited provisions of a settlement agreement between a governmental agency and employee
• Employees or agents refer to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 1161 by Hinojosa relating to

Transcript Highlights:

• Morales of Maverick relating to the compensation paid to certain county and precinct officers and employees
• HB 1065 by DeRozio relating to the classification of employees by a company license holder under the
• Public employees to collectively bargain with governmental entities who refer to the Committee on State
• By the employees retirement system of Texas or for the committee on pensions investments and financial
• relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of assault committed against certain employees

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when employees would separate employment, they weren't removed right away from the IT network.
• So the person was under a temporary contract that indicated that they were going to be paid as employees
• So we found some vendors and employees that had access to some systems where it wasn't clear that they
• So when employees would separate employment, they weren't really. when no longer necessary.
• So when employees would separate employment, they weren't removed right away from the IT network.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee heard the Auditor General’s operational audit of the City of Mexico Beach, which identified nine findings. The audit cited significant turnover in key management positions, late filing of required annual financial reports, weaknesses in competitive procurement and purchase approval controls, a duplicate payment on stormwater repairs that was later largely refunded, issues with the city accountant’s contract and IRS classification, IT access control problems, and the lack of fraud-reporting policies. Committee members asked about corrective action, and the Auditor General said a follow-up audit is required by statute within 18 months, with no enforcement authority beyond reporting progress back to the committee. Mayor Rich Wolf and city staff responded that the city had experienced major turnover and was rebuilding its finance and administrative team. He said the city had hired a city administrator, financial director, city clerk, and accounting firm, and was working to create policies, procedures, forms, and review processes to address the findings. Members discussed whether the turnover and hurricane-related workload contributed to the problems, and city officials said some of the larger purchases were storm-related and tied to FEMA or emergency work. The committee then received a staff update on enforcement for local governments that have not filed required financial reports. Staff said 400 entities had been notified, and as of the meeting two counties, 33 municipalities, and 48 special districts still owed reports or audits. The committee adopted a motion to proceed under section 11.42, Florida Statutes, including possible withholding of state funds for municipalities and enforcement actions for special districts, with authority for the chair and vice chair to delay action if new information warranted it. Finally, the committee unanimously directed the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required 2024-2025 audit of the Department of the Lottery, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance issues and OPPAGA developing operational recommendations. Members also briefly discussed whether the committee had reviewed transportation surtaxes and expressed interest in improving the timeliness and transparency of the audit and enforcement process before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• To allow an exempt employee to grieve a discharge would be problematic because many exempt employees
• </c> exempt exempt positions and employees exempt exempt positions and employees over<02:04:52.159><c
• </c> seen um attempts to exempt employees seen um attempts to exempt employees that<02:07:13.719><c>
• </c> easily understood so exempt employees easily understood so exempt employees can<02:10:14.119><c>
• have your employees easily opting in if have your employees easily opting in if you<02:15:30.880><c>

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hired our office administrative employees. We hired all seven district defenders.
• So all of our contract and conflict employees use LegalServer for free.
• When they came over to be state employees, they didn't lose everything they had.
• So you have county employees that were afraid to transfer over to the state.
• So you had a Have county employees that were afraid to transfer over to the state.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you said you reduced employees by 3. Is that correct? Yes, Mr.
• That is the retirement that the state must provide for our employees.
• On the budgeted full-time equivalent employees.
• Year was 1,100, but in actual reality, I think we were barely over 900 employees.
• Going down, they're not being replaced by, you know, contract employees or outsourcing.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to get it done before June 10th so that additional layoff notices don't have to go out to state employees
• to go out uh layoff notices don't have to go out to<00:04:06.720><c> state</c><00:04:07.040><c> employees
• We</c><00:04:07.680><c> know</c><00:04:07.760><c> that</c><00:04:07.920><c> nurses</c> to state employees
• We know that nurses to state employees.
• I believe that would be employees I believe that would be impacted<00:04:21.120><c> by</c><00:04:21.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, adding laid-off DOE by DOGE employees, federal employees to the state's E-12 trust fund, a relocation
• </c><00:03:09.680><c> Doge</c> So adding um laid off do by Doge So adding um laid off do by Doge employees
• ,<00:03:10.560><c> federal</c><00:03:10.879><c> employees</c><00:03:11.680><c> to</c><00:03:12.080><c
• > the</c> employees, federal employees to the employees, federal employees to the state's<00:03:12.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When you lay off perhaps hundreds of thousands of federal employees, it's not just a crisis for those
• And most federal employees aren't in Washington, DC; they're in Minnesota and the other states.
• of federal employees, it's not just<00:04:30.400><c> a</c><00:04:30.560><c> crisis</c><00:04:30.880>
• And most federal<00:04:39.600><c> employees</c><00:04:40.000><c> aren't</c><00:04:40.320><c> in</c><00
• :04:40.479><c> Washington</c> federal employees aren't in Washington federal employees aren't in Washington

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the public at large that there is need for reminders and enforcement of retaliation for those employees
• and the public at large that there is need for reminders and enforcement of retaliation for those employees
• Yeah, generally speaking, when we get complaints, you know, it covers every employee across the state
• it's considered a protected activity, and the employer is prohibited from retaliating against that employee
• We certainly encourage employees to bring up complaints. We don't want any type of chill factor.

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in relation to service retirement benefits for uniformed sanitation members of the New York City Employees
• in relation to service retirement benefits for uniformed correction members in the New York City Employees
• in relation to the establishment of 25-year retirement programs for members of the New York City Employees
• Social Security Law in relation to the eligibility of certain participants in the New York City Employees
• Social Security Law in relation to the eligibility of certain participants in the New York City Employees

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on March 24, 2026, with a quorum present and eight bills on the agenda. The committee considered measures affecting retirement and leave benefits for several groups, including NYC sanitation members (S-4667A), NYC correction members (S-4706A), county and municipal airport firefighters (S-9262), NYC water supply police (S-9356), EMT members in the NYC Employees’ Retirement System (S-9378), Suffolk County correction officers (S-9394), and Civil Air Patrol members on Air Force-assigned missions (S-9406). The committee also took up S.A.424A, which would provide a legacy credit to children and siblings of military service members or those killed in the line of duty; members spoke in support of the bill as a way to recognize and support military families. Most bills were moved without opposition and received unanimous approval, with the chair repeatedly confirming vote counts from the voting sheets. S-4667A, S-4706A, S.A.424A, S-9262, S-9356, S-9378, and S-9394 each received seven ayes, zero nays, and zero abstentions/AWRs. S-9406 also advanced, but with one AWR and six ayes. Members offered brief supportive comments on several bills, especially those benefiting veterans, correction officers, firefighters, and other public safety workers. All eight bills were reported out of committee, most to the Finance Committee and S.A.424A to the floor. The meeting then adjourned after no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Data Practices Act limits what information about an employee is public.
• Any data that an interviewing employee needs is already accessible.
• </c> many of whom are public employees many of whom are public employees protected<00:03:52.760><c> by
• </c><00:04:02.879><c> is</c> what information about an employee is what information about an employee
• </c><00:24:23.760><c> are</c> employees 46% of those employees are employees 46% of those employees are

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows these mostly small and midsized businesses to provide coverage to their employees without
• 3ars of them do so their employees 3ars of them do so through<00:43:04.880><c> the</c><00:43:05.000>
• </c><00:43:11.599><c> without</c> Coverage to their employees without having to take on the financial
• </c><01:21:54.679><c> and</c> provides benefits to your employees and provides benefits to your employees
• </c><01:22:04.440><c> as</c> provide benefits to your employees as provide benefits to your employees

Bills: HF747 , HF1014 , HF320 , HF400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Transcript Highlights:

• And these 5% increases have really allowed increased enrollment, increased employee compensation, and
• And these 5% increases have really allowed increased enrollment, increased employee compensation, and
• We took that loan out, and it's been earmarked for one-time employee compensation increases.
• You'll see whether it was an employee or a student. Got it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fung.
• Stephen Butcher with CSUEU, California State University Employees Union.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And these 5% increases have really allowed increased enrollment, increased employee compensation, and
• Seventy-six percent of CSU spending is employee compensation, and 10% is financial aid.
• We took that loan out and it's been earmarked for one-time employee compensation increases.
• You'll see whether it was an employee or a student. Got it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fung.
• Stephen Butcher with CSUEU, California State University Employees Union.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an oversight hearing on the California State University system covering enrollment, core operations, Title IX/civil rights, and basic needs. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s 2026-27 budget does not change CSU enrollment targets from the prior year and proposes a 5% ongoing General Fund increase for core operations as the final year of the compact. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended a lower resident undergraduate enrollment target than the Governor’s proposal, separate funding for enrollment growth rather than folding it into base, a smaller or no base increase tied more closely to inflation, earmarking some base funds for capital renewal, retiring deferred payments, and avoiding new multi-year compact commitments. CSU said enrollment has rebounded for three straight years, but growth is uneven across campuses, with several Northern California campuses still facing structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. CSU described a multi-year reallocation plan shifting about 10,000 FTE and $89 million in ongoing funding toward higher-demand campuses, plus $40 million in one-time support, and said seven campuses submitted turnaround plans aimed at recovering enrollment over the next several years. The system highlighted strategies such as dual enrollment, guaranteed admission pathways with community colleges, outreach to high school students, retention and advising efforts, and new degree models for working adults and military-connected students. Members raised questions about how campus targets are set, whether the May Board of Trustees discussion will address a systemwide enrollment framework, and how CSU will manage future deficits if projected out-year funding does not materialize. On core operations and facilities, CSU said it faces about $320 million in mandatory cost increases in 2026-27 and is pursuing shared services, procurement consolidation, campus administrative sharing, and program redesigns to reduce costs. CSU and the LAO emphasized the system’s large deferred maintenance backlog, estimated at $8.6 billion, and discussed whether CSU’s bond/debt capacity is sufficient to address it; CSU requested up to $1.1 billion for deferred maintenance, while the administration did not propose new funding. The committee also heard CSU’s annual Title IX and civil rights update: CSU said it has implemented 15 of 16 State Auditor recommendations, has dedicated Title IX coordinators at every campus, is using a systemwide case management dashboard, and is piloting centralized investigations at five campuses. Finally, on basic needs, the Governor maintained current funding levels for food assistance/basic needs, rapid rehousing, and mental health. CSU reported heavy use of food pantries, CalFresh support, emergency housing, and counseling services, while warning that federal changes to CalFresh and related funding could make it harder to serve students in need.

Transcript Highlights:

• The resolution also prohibits a school district or charter school employee or independent contractor
• A school district or charter school may not require an employee or contractor to refer to a person by
• The resolution also prohibits a school district or charter school employee or independent contractor
• Even with parental permission, school employees can still disrespect and bully a student.
• Even with parental permission, school employees can still disrespect and bully a student.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on taxes, public health, veterans’ benefits, public notices, HOA rules, and school policy. SB 1045, which would bar local governments from taxing or feeing blockchain use in residences, passed 4-3 after brief discussion; supporters framed it as a tax-preemption measure, while opponents argued it would reduce local revenue. SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued fluoride should be topical rather than systemic and cited emerging research on possible health risks, while dental and public health advocates strongly opposed the bill, citing decades of evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay and saves money. The committee voted 4-3 to advance the bill, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. The committee also advanced SB 1050, granting free lifetime state park passes to Arizona veterans, after Arizona State Parks said it was neutral but warned of possible revenue losses; the bill passed 4-3. SB 1078, clarifying that court review of public-records denials is de novo, passed unanimously 7-0 with support from the Goldwater Institute and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Members, Senate Bill 1115 prohibits access from allowing employees to work remotely and
• Right now, we have 90% of our employees working remotely, so that's a lot of employees that would need
• I can tell you that the employees do have, I mean, they're hired to do a job.
• We know that these employees have said horrible things to providers and members.
• And whenever every other state employee was leaving at the same time... ...and those are not fun.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21 minutes and then heard SB 1179, which would remove the delayed repeal date and appropriation contingency from the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program. Testimony from Disability Rights Arizona and program managers described the program’s monitoring and investigative work, including identified systemic concerns in group homes, while the sponsor said the effort should continue. SB 1179 received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote, with some members reserving their right to revisit the bill on the floor. The committee then took up SB 1114, appropriating $1 million for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering. Witnesses, including Native advocates, described widespread recruitment of vulnerable people—especially Native Americans—into fraudulent treatment and sober-living schemes, often through social media and across state lines. Members and the sponsor framed the bill as an enforcement response to long-running abuse. SB 1114 passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 1115, which would require AHCCCS/Access employees to work in person rather than remotely; supporters argued remote work had harmed oversight and service delivery, while Access said it would need substantial office space and warned of costs and staffing impacts. SB 1115 passed 4-3. The committee next considered SB 1051, requiring hospitals that accept Access payments to collect patients’ citizenship or immigration status on intake forms and report aggregate data to DHS. Supporters said it was a data-collection and accountability measure; opponents, including nurses and physicians, said it would deter care, undermine trust, and function as immigration surveillance. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1122, dealing with prior authorization and prepayment review for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, was amended to require a corrective action plan before 100% prepayment review; Access said it had minimal concerns with the amended version. It passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1132, a blank appropriation for a new Arizona State Hospital wing, drew testimony from families and advocates about the shortage of psychiatric beds and the effects of the Arnold v. Sarn consent decree; it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1169 for graduate medical education funding, SB 1171 on dual enrollment checks between AHCCCS and exchange plans, and SB 1172 on DCS investigations and court notification, with votes ranging from 4-2 to unanimous support. Finally, the committee heard SB 1173, which would require owners and applicants for outpatient behavioral health facility licenses to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present, with an amendment clarifying lawful permanent resident status. The sponsor said the bill was intended to curb fraud tied to behavioral health licensing and patient brokering; discussion focused on whether the bill language matched that intent. The transcript ends before a final vote on SB 1173.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, we hired 607 new employees. 445 of those employees are still with us.
• We have 281 employees with a degree in social work and 134 are licensed.
• We're delivering our new employee training every two weeks.
• We have A designated human resource team that works from entry to exit of every employee.
• But if that's going to happen, then your employees are not treated fairly. Right.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Spoke to the fact that they'd essentially tried to address issues of access by providing non-employee
• to 50 percent less than comparable medical-surgical employees.
• In fact, Kaiser’s treatment of its behavioral health employees since then has been punitive.
• Kaiser’s medical-surgical employees received raises of at least 2.75% every year.
• wages will fall further behind those of comparable medical-surgical employees.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on Kaiser Permanente’s behavioral health care system, focusing on Department of Managed Health Care enforcement actions, Kaiser’s corrective action work plan, and testimony from patients, advocates, and union representatives. DMHC officials reviewed a long history of complaints, surveys, fines, and settlements involving Kaiser’s access to behavioral health services, including deficiencies found in 2012 and 2016, a 2022 non-routine survey, and a 2023 settlement that imposed a $50 million penalty and required $150 million in community investments over five years. DMHC said it continues to monitor Kaiser through quarterly meetings, complaint review, follow-up surveys, and a reimbursement process for members who could not obtain timely in-network care. Committee members pressed DMHC on what “timely access” and continuity of care mean in practice, how virtual care and group therapy fit into the standards, and what triggers a non-routine survey. DMHC said initial behavioral health appointments generally should not take more than two weeks, urgent care should be within days, and follow-up care within 10 days, with out-of-network care required when plans cannot meet standards. Officials also said Kaiser’s initial corrective action work plan lacked detail, but the revised plan was accepted and will be tracked through quarterly reporting and possible additional enforcement if Kaiser fails to comply. The second panel featured testimony from a Kaiser enrollee, a behavioral health policy expert, a Kaiser therapist, and the NUHW president. The enrollee described serious delays and inadequate treatment for his daughter after a suicide attempt, while the therapist and union leader said Kaiser’s behavioral health system is understaffed, relies too heavily on short appointments, group therapy, and webinars, and treats behavioral health as less important than medical-surgical care. They argued Kaiser’s one-appointment-at-a-time scheduling rule and limited treatment time violate parity requirements and harm continuity of care. Several members criticized Kaiser for not appearing at the hearing and said the testimony underscored the need for stronger oversight, clearer metrics, and faster remedies for patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:24.960><c> to</c> will pay a mainland-based employee to will pay a mainland-based employee
• prospective employees.
• prospective employees.
• prospective employees.
• prospective employees.

Bills: SB2275 , SB2390 , SB2540 , SB3142 , SB2414 , SB2340 , SB2848

Committee: House Health

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.