Transcript Highlights:

• by what was euphemistically called the Inflation Reduction Act, but it was actually the inflation acceleration
• that we are the most of the inflation that we are currently<00:34:47.159><c> seeing</c><00:34:47.879
• </c> euphemistically called the inflation euphemistically called the inflation reduction<00:34:52.320
• </c> and that has contributed to inflation and that has contributed to inflation contributed<00:35:39.520
• We talk about what the impacts are of the current economic order on low-income people, working-class

Bills: HF4 , HF173

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have not seen a CPI or inflation increase in that time frame.
• An inflation-adjusted rate would be $47.41 a day if we were keeping up with inflation.
• One of the largest increases, of course, is considering the inflation, and the inflation is calculated
• One of the largest increases, of course, is considering the inflation, and the inflation is calculated
• One of the largest increases, of course, is considering the inflation, and the inflation is calculated

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Committee met without a quorum, so approval of the January 3, January 20, and February 3 minutes was postponed. The committee then heard an update from the Department of Corrections on halfway house and Recovery Kentucky funding and operations. Deputy Commissioner Hillary Daily said DOC contracts for up to 1,752 halfway house beds and 780 Recovery Kentucky beds, with 16 halfway houses and 13 Recovery Kentucky centers statewide. She reported 6,329 admissions in fiscal year 2025, average daily populations of 1,041 in halfway houses and 494 in Recovery Kentucky, and explained that Recovery Kentucky placements are more restrictive, generally excluding violent and sex offenders, while halfway houses serve probationers, parolees, and sex offenders who need treatment. She also described programming such as MRT, parenting, adult basic education, and trauma-focused services, and said some facilities offer supervised visitation. Daily said no new funding request was included in the current budget, though DOC has sought rate increases in prior cycles. Community Transitional Services director Barbara Stum also testified in support of halfway houses as re-entry and substance abuse treatment centers. She said CTS primarily serves men coming out of prison or returning to prison who need treatment, and that halfway houses provide security, accountability, treatment, employment support, and help with home placement. Stum said the state moved substance abuse treatment into the community in 2010 to avoid sending people back to prison for treatment, and argued halfway houses are the least expensive form of incarceration. She cited daily rates of $33.61 for CTS beds and DOC figures of $37.33 to $44.33 per day, compared with higher prison and jail costs, and said reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation since the last increase in 2019. She said staffing and supplies are the main pressure points, with counselor pay below market rates, and noted two counselor vacancies. A former resident, Michael Bird, testified that CTS helped him recover and re-enter the community successfully. The committee also received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of the video arraignment/video conferencing system. AOC officials Zach Ramsey and Charles Buyers said the system is now fully implemented in all courtrooms and is used for video arraignments and other Zoom-based court proceedings. Buyers described the pandemic-era transition from older, inconsistent equipment to improvised laptop/webcam setups, then to a more integrated vendor-supported system with touchscreen controls and a judicial support specialist position for training and operation. He said 324 courtrooms are already up to the current standard, with 128 remaining on an older bundle, and that there are no technical barriers to continued use. AOC said it is seeking $3.8 million in recurring annual funding to keep the systems upgraded and current, and plans to upgrade 46 systems in fiscal year 2026 across 15 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• this modification would exempt the lobby compensation thresholds in Government Code 305.005 from inflation
• Currently, the lobby compensation thresholds increase each year based on inflation, shifting more data
• This modification would ensure that the inflation adjustments would be rounded either to the ten, hundred
• The Sunset Compliance Report assessed recommendations from the previous legislative session, impacting

Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session

Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their analysis indicates no fiscal impact. Representative Motsenbacher: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Their analysis indicates no fiscal impact. Representative Bolinsky: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Speaker, members of the Assembly, I'm very concerned about the impact of SB 2160, and here's why.
• And I'm concerned how that potentially would impact them.
• But both Roundup and class two herbicides impact plant amino acid biosynthesis.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is rising faster than inflation.
• </c><00:37:09.760><c> and</c> Yes of course there's inflation and Yes of course there's inflation and
• As the impacts of federal policy changes As the impacts of federal policy changes under<00:52:43.280>
• :27:40.840><c> because</c><01:27:41.200><c> it</c> impacted us significantly, because it impacted us
• </c> they have, we're seeing a direct impact they have, we're seeing a direct impact of<01:34:14.320>

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 TTU HSC graduates continue to make tangible life-changing impact
• In terms of the economic impact... ...on the eighth largest economy in the world, every two years the
• And that's not to mention the enormous impact of the litigation climate on the business climate. and
• We have not raised the base paid for district judges since 2013, even as inflation has skyrocketed.
• So, I'm not even asking you to keep up with inflation, and I'm only asking you to keep up with inflation

Transcript Highlights:

• It just seems like we're always going to run into inflation if we pick a number, and I'm just curious
• the the agency's still does impact the the agency's budget<00:13:34.959><c> in</c><00:13:35.160><c>
• </c><00:18:06.039><c> the</c> a really long way in um impacting the a really long way in um impacting
• Military sexual trauma has impacted women veterans in such a way that PTSD disproportionately impacts
• female veterans compared to our impacts female veterans compared to our male Suicide impacts the veterans

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• This growth rate is below 5%, which is difficult to keep up with inflation and maybe make the larger
• What happens if inflation stays high?
• You know, federal tax policy changes, other economic indicators that are in flux, inflation, consumer
• It would, it would have no impact on drinking.
• The first is, I'm just generally curious, what are the variables that you're using to measure impact?

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:17.040><c> report</c> our most recent economic impact report our most recent economic impact
• </c><00:40:28.680><c> that</c><00:40:29.400><c> uh</c> and the impact that uh and the impact that uh
• </c><00:40:38.319><c> our</c> buildings on our campuses uh impact our buildings on our campuses uh impact
• They are the same as last year, with adjustment for financial inflation.
• inflation inflation those<01:21:25.080><c> three</c><01:21:25.440><c> projects</c><01:21:26.040><c>

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• We also oppose a three-year delay to transportation greenhouse gas impact assessment and the transit
• assessment and the greenhouse gas impact assessment and the transit<00:04:19.919><c> funding</c><00:
• This EV tax would have a big impact on the budget of that family, especially since this doesn't take
• </c><00:08:31.919><c> on</c> less and therefore have lowest impact on less and therefore have lowest
• And so I think that was inflation index.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• the end of the receipt of the federal relief funding, but we saw the introduction of significant inflation
• In fact, that was the high point of our inflation numbers.
• It's pre-COVID and its disruption to revenues and to expenditures, and pre the inflation period that
• So you remember those years variously had COVID, federal funds, infusions, inflations, different things
• So if you have a very active new construction housing market, sales, you know, impact fees and other

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for a listening session focused on a presentation by Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research on local government revenues and expenditures. Baker reviewed statewide financial data for counties, municipalities, and independent special districts, using 2018-19 as a baseline year because it was stable and pre-COVID. She explained that counties rely heavily on taxes, with ad valorem taxes making up about 73% of county tax revenue and about 24% of total county revenues statewide, while municipalities rely more on charges for services and have a lower statewide ad valorem share of about 14.7%. She also noted wide variation across local governments, with some counties and cities highly dependent on property taxes and others using them minimally or not at all. Special districts were shown to be very different from counties and cities, with hospital-related revenues and expenditures dominating many of them, while water management districts were more reliant on ad valorem taxes and focused expenditures on the physical environment. Baker also summarized expenditure patterns: counties spent the largest share on public safety, while municipalities spent the largest share on general government services, followed by physical environment and public safety. She emphasized that local government structures vary widely and that the committee should study what characteristics are associated with greater property tax reliance. She said the next research steps would be to extend the analysis through later years, including the COVID and inflation period, and to examine institutional and legal factors that shape local fiscal structures. Members asked about unfunded mandates, fuel taxes, reserves, school taxes, millage rates, and how property taxes relate to specific services such as police and fire. Baker said the current analysis did not yet account for mandates or school taxes and that further work could examine links between revenues and expenditures, commercial versus residential tax burdens, and other factors. After the presentation, members reported back on local meetings with counties and municipalities. Several described large differences in millage rates, revenue mixes, and the impact of any property tax changes on fiscally constrained counties versus larger, wealthier ones. Concerns were raised about how local governments would replace lost revenue, especially for public safety and emergency response, and members discussed the need to consider both revenue replacement and ways to rein in spending. The co-chairs said the committee would continue gathering information, send members follow-up homework and requests for panel suggestions, and invite additional input from constituents, stakeholders, and local governments. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of this legislation does not cost the state of Idaho any fiscal impacts.
• The fiscal impacts on the local community are great.
• Yes, sir. does not cost the state of Idaho any fiscal impacts.
• So no negative impact on Percy? There is no negative impact on Percy on this. Yeah. Thank you, sir.
• Beyond that, Percy can go up to the rate of inflation.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I would tell you that the fiscal impact for that was larger. impact for that was larger.
• COVID itself didn't have a huge impact.
• it would have a negligible impact on the fund.
• Do you still agree that these changes had a negligible impact on the fund or will have a negligible impact
• How does that impact the fund?

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the fiscal note shows... let me see on the actuarial impact on House Bill... 3 shows no impact
• No impact. Okay. But when a teacher leaves the profession, does that have an impact?
• Do you know why they took until 7 a.m. this morning to give us the fiscal impact and the actuarial impact
• Witness: A large impact. I don't know.
• Chairman: Decisions parents will make that will impact that.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> practices by native Hawaiians no impact practices by native Hawaiians no impact to<01:19:58.800>
• </c> ask them to help us assess what impacts ask them to help us assess what impacts do<01:39:22.719>
• Obviously, there has been significant inflation in that time, including additional inflation locally
• Obviously, there has been significant inflation in that time, including additional inflation locally
• Obviously, there has been significant inflation in that time, including additional inflation locally

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you please explain why there's an impact in fiscal year 26 when the bill doesn't become effective
• in fiscal year 26 why there's an impact in fiscal year 26 when<00:36:54.079><c> the</c><00:36:54.240
• So if inflation has gone up 10% a year, in five years the cost of the plant would be up an additional
• One is the annual operations maintenance account, which is adjusted annually based off of inflation and
• </c> adjusted annually based off of inflation adjusted annually based off of inflation and<00:42:28.560

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that, for us, is a huge impact.
• , but public safety impacts.
• So pretty significant impacts.
• So pretty significant impacts.
• So those kinds of programs are being impacted.

Summary: The committee met jointly with Senate Finance and House Appropriations to review the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency overview from Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson and then testimony from Director Bree Derrick. Discussion focused on the department’s overall funding mix, declining balances in dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts, vacancy management, and the impact of the governor’s holdback exemption. Members also asked about software and technology costs, the Hepatitis C Fund, replacement items, and why some positions remain vacant or are held open as a budget strategy. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the department’s major divisions and cost drivers. In state prisons, county/out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services, the analyst and director explained enhancement requests, supplemental needs, and rising operating costs tied to inflation, population growth, and contract rates. Members questioned the inmate labor fund’s decline, the loss of work contracts, the cost and effectiveness of recidivism and transparency software, the Pocatello reentry center, body-worn cameras, RFID and drone detection technology, and the medical contract with Centurion. The department said some cuts were made or planned in response to budget pressure, including reduced spending on Recidivis and other contracts, while body-worn cameras and some public-safety tools were retained. The committee also discussed prison population pressures, county jail and out-of-state placement costs, mandatory minimum sentences, and the use of county jails as overflow. Director Derrick said the department is seeing more admissions than releases and that Idaho’s incarceration rate remains high relative to neighboring states. She also said the department is working to expand county and out-of-state options and to pursue more inmate labor contracts. Several members asked for follow-up information on staffing, contract counts, program impacts, and fund balances. The meeting then moved to the Commission of Pardons and Parole budget, where Director Christine Starr testified that commissioners are part-time but effectively work full-time, are not paid for training or all preparation time, and that turnover remains a concern. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned to resume the next day after work groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been an update to the numbers, so we're taking that back and looking at what the true impact
• That's the 2021-2020 inflation surge, where purchasing power dropped from about 90% to 82% in just two
• At just 3%, 48 out of 50 states fully beat inflation.
• At just 3%, 48 out of 50 states, fully beat inflation.
• Green, bold means the state beat inflation at that allocation level.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not indexed to inflation.
• And I don't need to tell you the difference in inflation between 1956 and 2025, but it's considerable
• Reporting this bill out favorably and ultimately passing the bill is a meaningful and impactful way of
• We heard earlier testimony from somebody who was impacted by the same section of the law and the policy
• And she said it's impacted every financial decision that she made.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

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:

• WHERE THOSE ARE VERY SOLVABLE EVENTS AND WE ARE NOT EXPECTING IT TO BE A MAJOR BLIP IN THE PROCESS OR IMPACT
• AND REINSURANCE AND NATURAL CAPACITY BUT SOMETHING WE HAVE AND ALWAYS ABOUT ENOUGH I THINK IS THE IMPACT
• OF INFLATION AND WHAT IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON THE MARKET PLACE.
• THEN DUE TO INFLATION WHAT WE SEE IS THE RAPID ALMOST EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF THE COST OF TOTAL VALUE OF
• INFLATION HAS DEFINITELY HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON RATE OF WHAT CONSUMERS ARE PAYING.