Transcript Highlights:

• Director of PERA, just following up from our last meeting, told the committee we were finalizing our actuarial
• the report showed higher than expected increases in the number of active members, higher than the actuary
• Active membership, our actuaries—you see it on one of the graphs.
• But in the one-year hit, when we report the valuation, the actuarial value does go down.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's kind of where the study is at right now: we're still working on it.
• And I think the thing that I want to really push on is there is a great study, the Bayer study.
• But there's been a great study, the Bayeser study, that tracked utilization and costs across IMD states
• So this was just a starting point as far as this study. I guess I wanted to throw it over.
• So this was just a starting point as far as this study. I guess I wanted to throw it over.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a committee staff person was interested in an OPAGA study, they could submit a research proposal to
• J-LAC can also direct studies.
• That first study will be due in January of 2027.
• There are 22 studies in statute. The frequency ranges from annual to quinquennial.
• There are 22 studies in statute. The frequency ranges from annual to quinquennial.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to be putting up about $10 billion in the next few years in order to make certain it becomes actuarially
• did with the Houston pension fund, making certain that the decisions to ensure that fund becomes actuarially
• In fact, I studied back to 1995.
• Up to 20%, according to the latest USDA study on that.

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SB7, SB8, SB16, SB108, SB125, SB207, SB318, SB371, SB379, SB396, SB406, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB578, SB599, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB763, SB854, SB857, SB875, SB878, SB920, SB924, SB961, SB965, SB985, SB988, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1059, SB1185, SB1202, SB1207, SB1252, SB1330, SB1396, SB1484, SB1527, SB1535, SB1596, SB1619, SB1697, SB1737, SB1741, SB1841, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SJR81, SJR50, SCR39, SB1536, SB2016, SB1453, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB27, SB568, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB906, SB860, SB1563, SB993, SB693, SB1610, SB1537, SB836, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB922, SB984, SB1084, SB619, SB1098, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1877, SB464, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB660, SB731, SB921, SB268, SB1822, SB1188, SB1939, SB1589, SB397, SB1388, SB2230, SB1058, SB1036, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB1035, SB2155, SB508, SB29, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's what that kind of study is looking into right now.
• But that's kind of where the study is at right now: we're still working on it.
• The North Dakota Tribal College System commissioned a study through Lightcast.
• And I think the thing that I want to really push on is there is a great study, the Bayer study.
• But there's been a great study, the Bayeser study, that tracked utilization and costs across IMD states

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Bills: SB2102, SB1940, SB1625, SB1442, SB1623, SB1242, SB1949, SB1592, SB1913, SB592, SB992, SB1241, SB259, SB1928, SB1426, SB1531, SB1561, SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees

Transcript Highlights:

• That's our friends at OHCA and their actuaries at Guidehouse talking about utilization and other things
• aware, and you'll hear from our friends and in your next couple of sessions, I I think that the actuaries
• That's really what the actuaries are going into.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles Chapman: When we look at pension costs and actuarial liabilities associated with that, you have
• There have been discussions about studies taking this slowly.
• I heard somebody talk about the studies, nobody's even mentioned it.

Transcript Highlights:

• survey will provide district-level data about employees and potential enrollees, plan offerings, actuarial
• survey will provide district-level data about employees and potential enrollees, plan offerings, actuarial
• :31:32.480> plan<00:31:32.880> offerings<00:31:33.360> and<00:31:33.600> actuarial
• enrolles, plan offerings and actuarial enrolles, plan offerings and actuarial values<00:31:35.120

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• So numerous conversations have been had with the actuaries and with PERS Board members as well as employers
• Uh, the actuaries have reported to me that it's 0.57%.
• Uh the actuaries<00:25:16.960> have<00:25:17.600> reported<00:25:18.080> to<00:25
• :18.320> me<00:25:19.200> that<00:25:19.919> uh actuaries have reported to me that
• uh actuaries have reported to me that uh it's<00:25:20.400> 0.57%.

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of that, we're going to run a three-year study to develop even more data and expand that
• c> your vote, uh we're going to do a your vote, uh we're going to do a three-year<00:04:30.720> study
• to develop even more three-year study to develop even more data<00:04:32.560> and<00:04:32.880
• study.
• The cost of the study, we said, not to exceed $50,000.

Bills: SB9, HB400, SB9, HB400

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an actuarial opinion that has to be... ...an actuarial opinion that has to be filed.

Bills: HB506, HB513, HB437

Keywords: emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, public safety, liability, regulations, background check, criminal history, biometric identifiers, fingerprints, iris scan, palm print, photograph, rap back, NGI Rap Back, ALEA, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, AJIC, Alabama Justice Information Commission, employment screening, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• I expect it will attract the best and brightest from across the country and Florida who wish to study
• Um, battery disposal study—I had a feeling.
• the time of the study?
• I believe this is in your silo, but I have a question about a battery disposal study.
• We're going to move on from the battery disposal study. Nothing to see here, folks.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the changes that have been proposed a couple of years ago, the actuary study that the state did
• <00:54:13.200> study<00:54:13.839> that<00:54:14.160> the<00:54:14.480> state
• ago, the actuary study that the state ago, the actuary study that the state did<00:54:15.520>
• Back in August, reports and studies came out that showed that menstrual products that women use month
• Once I started talking and posting about this, so many women reached out wanting to read these studies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can do is come to this podium and ask you not to do something that somebody else has told you is actuarially
• You have to stay actuarially sound, but it costs us money too. And the other things I listen to.
• just want to point out that we do have to build in and bake in our infrastructure debt, our pension actuarial

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• This board shall review, analyze, study, evaluate, provide legislative oversight, make recommendations
• They're calculated by actuaries based on, usually, historical data, trends, things that are coming up
• They're um they're calculated by<00:34:08.079> actuaries<00:34:08.720> based<00:34:09.040
• > on<00:34:10.079> um<00:34:10.879> usually<00:34:11.440> based by actuaries
• based on um usually based by actuaries based on um usually based on<00:34:12.240> historical<

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00 Introduction of Board Members – 00:02:04 Overview of the Purpose and Goals of the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board – 00:12:46 Medicaid Legislative Update - 00:20:26 Discussion of Next Steps and Future Meeting Dates – 01:04:06 Adjournment – 01:06:37, 958, all

Summary: The first meeting of the Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board opened with Chair Ken Fleming and Co-Chair Rocky Adams welcoming members, explaining the board’s purpose, and introducing the diverse membership of legislators, providers, advocates, and state officials. Fleming said the board would meet monthly, allow public comment at the end of meetings, and operate transparently with materials posted online and distributed in advance. Both chairs emphasized that the board’s work would focus on improving Medicaid outcomes, efficiency, and oversight, while preparing for possible federal changes and avoiding premature assumptions about what Congress may do. Members then gave brief introductions describing their backgrounds in medicine, nursing, hospital administration, behavioral health, insurance, budgeting, pharmacy, and Medicaid administration. Several noted direct experience with Medicaid populations or managed care, including the Department for Medicaid Services commissioner, health plan representatives, hospital and clinic leaders, and legislators with health care backgrounds. The board also heard from Stephanie Bates of the LRC Office of Health Data Analytics, who said her office supports the General Assembly with health-related data, policy, and research and would serve as a resource to the board. Bates then began a presentation on Medicaid basics, explaining that House Bill 695 created the board and that the presentation would cover eligibility, enrollment, covered benefits, waivers, managed care, the budget, and the federal reconciliation bill. She described Medicaid eligibility as complex, noted that Kentucky had more than 1.4 million enrollees, and explained enrollment churn and the unwinding of pandemic-era continuous coverage. She also outlined mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits, the requirement that services be medically necessary and provided by enrolled providers, and the main waiver types used in Kentucky, including 1115, 1915(b), and 1915(c) waivers. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting beyond organizational setup and receiving the initial informational presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I've spent almost three years studying and observing the asset condition problem, including at ISO
• So, I've spent almost three years studying and observing the asset condition problem, including at ISO
• The second chart is actually from a Charles River Associates study that came out yesterday on United
• <01:23:46.159> that I can guarantee you as an actuary that I can guarantee you as an actuary
• and uh so we've got a grid um study and uh so we've got a definition<02:51:07.200> here.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I expect it will attract the best and brightest from across the country and Florida who wish to study
• Battery disposal study—I had a feeling.
• the time of the study?
• I believe this is in your silo, but I have a question about a battery disposal study.
• We're going to move on from the battery disposal study. Nothing to see here, folks.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, like even with actuarial evidence, they still couldn't—they can't use that as a factor for premiums
• So, um, like even with actuarial evidence, they still couldn't—they can't use that as a factor for premiums

Bills: HB372, HB361, HB391, HB372, HB361, HB391

Keywords: Elmore County, rental tax, tax revenue, infrastructure funding, economic development, Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe, tribal police, reservation security, state-recognized tribe, law enforcement authority, certified police officer, Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, P.O.S.T., trespass, warrantless arrest, tribal land, sovereignty, public safety, Indian tribe, reservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Many members of this committee will remember that two years ago we authorized an actuarial study and
• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• any must submit background studies for any must submit background studies for any owner<00:24:50.799

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing