Video & Transcript Research : 'disability pension'
Page 3 of 436
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have HCR 67 and HR 61 requesting the Disability and Communication Access Board to study
- First up, we have HCR 67 and HR 61 requesting the Disability and Communication Access Board to study
- And we have four written testimonies in support: State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability
- And we have four written testimonies in support: State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability
Keywords:
disability, communication access, healthcare, sign language interpreters, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, auxiliary aids, effective communication, peer counselor, youth mental health, social disconnection, Hawaii schools, wellness program, student support, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, disability rights, peer counseling, education
Summary:
The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.
The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And not to say that if you're disabled from Social Security, that makes sense.
- to identify disabilities for the VA.
- House Bill 2792 specifies that the primary residence of a veteran with a service-connected disability
- House Bill 2792 specifies that the primary residence of a veteran with a service-connected disability
- We are now receiving applications for those veterans with 100% service disability.
Keywords:
property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes, property tax, electronic communication, tax assessment, tax correction, real estate, agriculture, tax classification, land use, nonprofit organizations, transaction privilege tax, tax exemption, textbook rental, education, business leasing
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- disability to also be provided to a veteran that is 100% disabled due to neglect care at a VA hospital
- to a gentleman, and he was 40% disabled, And you're going to a VA.
- He could be considered 100% disabled Options. That's Section 1151.
- He could be considered 100% disabled or sue.
- Entitled to because they are now 100% disabled.
Bills:
HB3257
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met with a quorum and considered three nominations to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission and one bill. The committee heard presentations for Rick Munchler, Robert W. Allen Jr., and Matthew Dukes, each described as having extensive military, public service, and veterans’ advocacy backgrounds. In each case, senators moved do pass, there were no substantive questions or debate, and each nomination received unanimous 5-0 approval to advance to the full Senate for confirmation.
The committee also heard House Bill 3257, which would extend certain state benefits available to veterans who are 100% disabled due to a service-connected disability to veterans who are 100% disabled as a result of negligence or malpractice at a VA hospital under federal law. The author explained the bill would align state recognition and benefits with federal disability determinations in those cases, while noting the property tax exemption issue is constrained by the state constitution. After brief questions about the bill’s scope, the committee voted 5-0 to pass the measure to the full Senate.
At the close of the meeting, the chair noted another committee meeting would be needed the following week to consider additional Veterans Commission nominees, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 17th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services will come to order.
Keywords:
disabled veteran, partially disabled veteran, veterans property tax exemption, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, surviving spouse, appraisal district, Tax Code, local government revenue, homestead portability, service-connected disability, veteran benefits, Texas property tax, residence homestead, disability rating, disaster response, financial assistance, helicopter, municipalities
AZ
Bills:
HB2207
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- On line 509, House File 1166, Disability Services, Technology and Advertising.
- and the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
- Disability Services, which starts on page 16 of the DE document.
- Cost budget proposal that enhances Medicaid disability determinations.
- On the disability community.
Bills:
HF2434
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Tab 2 is C.S. for SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters and law enforcement and correctional
Keywords:
firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote.
The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably.
The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration.
Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 16th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- HB3257 requires any state benefits available for 100% disabled veterans through aer connected disability
- to also be provided to the veteran that is 100% disabled due to neglect care at a VA hospital.
- Right now, if you are going, if you're if You're 40% disabled and you're going to a VA.
- He could be Considered a 100% disabled or sue.
- And so in the event now that he's 100% disabled at the federal level, the 40% piece was still what he
Bills:
HB3257
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The Arizona State Retirement System administers a public pension program for qualified employees.
- determination letters, as they do veterans VA disability letters, for the tax exemption for the disabled
- You have to go, effectively, to your doctor and get a disability letter, so it seems to be a...
- As they do veterans VA disability letters for the tax exemption for the disabled.
- To your doctor and get a disability letter. So it seems to me that it's duplicative.
Keywords:
retirement benefits, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, property tax exemption, disability, veterans, widows, income limits, Arizona Revised Statutes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um and disability amendment approval.
- The next one changed how we authorize disability waiver services.
- </c><01:28:00.960><c> I</c> coexisting intellectual disability.
- I coexisting intellectual disability.
- They have intellectual disability.
Bills:
HF3379
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It will have an impact on individuals who are with disabilities.
- As the aging population continues to grow in our state, as the needs for people with disabilities continue
- As the aging population continues to grow in our state, as the needs for people with disabilities continue
- As the aging population continues to grow in our state, as the needs for people with disabilities continue
- As the aging population continues to grow in our state, as the needs for people with disabilities continue
Bills:
HF2434
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> recommendation on Medicaid disability recommendation on Medicaid disability determinations<00:05
- 22:02.559><c> and</c> Disability services technology and disability services technology and advocacy
- </c> nursing services under the disability nursing services under the disability waiverss.<00:24:33.360
- ... approaches to address disability waiver approaches to address disability waiver cent<00:41:22.280
- </c><02:03:20.239><c> and</c> lives of people with disabilities and lives of people with disabilities
Bills:
HF2434
TX
Keywords:
tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public engagement, Texas Historical Commission, education, pension system, actuarially sound, emergency services, legacy liability, anonymized contributions, economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security
TX
Keywords:
tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public engagement, Texas Historical Commission, education, pension system, actuarially sound, emergency services, legacy liability, anonymized contributions, economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The first three are pension bills, agency bills. The last one is 529, also an agency bill.
- House Bill 2090 modifies the time frame for a member to be considered to have a disability if they have
- received monthly long-term disability program benefits from 24 months within a five-year period to a
Keywords:
individual income tax, subtraction, Arizona Revised Statutes, retirement benefits, adoption costs, charitable contributions, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, education savings
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Mar 18th, 2026
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> permanently and totally disabled permanently and totally disabled including<00:35:49.680><c> members
- So, what this does is it provides that permanently and totally disabled veterans of the United States
- veterans of the United States disabled veterans of the United States Armed<00:37:09.040><c> Forces</
- This is full-time folks and this really deals with their disability and I noticed there's also a line
- </c><00:49:43.359><c> and</c> really deals with their disability and really deals with their disability
Bills:
SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466, SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466
Keywords:
controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, we will discuss ending the disability penalty to the basic allotment, which is causing
- This session, I've learned about the disability penalty.
- The disability penalty probably means schools don't want to identify kids as dyslexic because even...
- So the money in HB 2 is equivalent to what it would cost to erase the disability penalty.
- I know Disability Rights is here. We've got how many other groups? Sabrina is with ARCA Texas.
Keywords:
special education, funding gap, dyslexia, House Bill 2, Senate Bill 568, House Bill 3928, disability penalty
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on special education funding, with significant discussions around House Bill 2 (HB2), Senate Bill 568 (SB568), and House Bill 3928 (HB3928). Key speakers advocated for increased funding to close the estimated $1.7 billion annual gap that affects special education in Texas public schools. Several witnesses, including educators and students affected by dyslexia, provided personal testimonies about the impact of insufficient funding and the disability penalty, which penalizes schools financially for identifying students needing special education services. The committee demonstrated a strong commitment to advocate for changes that would improve special education resources and training for teachers, thereby ensuring that all Texas children receive the educational support they need to thrive.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships May 19th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides an alternative an alternative to full guardianship by allowing persons with disabilities
- authorizing a supporter under a supportive decision-making agreement to assist an adult with a disability
Bills:
SB66
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 23rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The city of Newton's retirement board has mandated that the city fully fund its pension obligations by
- So the home rule petition would allow the city of Newton to issue pension obligation bonds and notes
- Newton to issue pension obligation bonds and notes for the purpose of funding the unfunded pension liability
- Doing so would allow the city to pay off the majority or entirety of the pension obligation ahead of
- Newton's chief financial officer, Marine Lemo, estimates that a pension obligation bond would generate
Keywords:
North Attleborough, town charter, home rule charter, municipal government, local option, charter amendment, Parks and Recreation Commission, Park Commission, write-in candidate, sticker candidate, ballot access, town election, bylaw, ordinance, board membership, local approval, Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, planning board, associate members
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on several local bills and home rule petitions. The first major item was Senate Bill 3092, authorizing the city of Newton to issue pension obligation bonds or notes. Senator Cindy Cream and Mayor Mark Laredo’s chief of staff, Dana Hansen, testified in support, saying the measure would help Newton manage its unfunded pension liability, preserve its AAA bond rating, and create about $10 million in budget flexibility over five years. Senator John Keenan supported the bill but cautioned that pension obligation bonds depend heavily on market timing and assumptions about future funding and hiring.
The committee then heard testimony on a Boylston bill, Senate Bill 3088, allowing the town to contract for a newly created police lieutenant position. Boylston officials said the town’s growth and public safety needs justify a second-in-command role with supervisory, internal affairs, and emergency command duties, and that a contract is needed because of the position’s management-level responsibilities. Representative Wells asked why a lieutenant position required a home rule petition, and the chief explained that town counsel advised the arrangement functioned more like an employment contract than a standard personnel-plan position.
Next, the committee took up House Bill 5426 for North Attleboro, a charter amendment package. Town Manager Mike Borg said the bill makes limited local changes: correcting charter language, expanding the Board of Health from three to five members, and requiring write-in candidates to meet a minimum vote threshold comparable to ballot candidates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3087 for Walpole, which would create a water and sewer advisory board and change the governance structure for the town’s water and sewer system. Town officials supported the bill as a way to improve planning and accountability, but several elected water and sewer commissioners and a town meeting member opposed it, arguing it would abolish an elected board, reduce voter representation, and concentrate power in appointed officials. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a vote in the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 23rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The city of Newton's retirement board has mandated that the city fully fund its pension obligations by
- So the home rule petition would allow the city of Newton to issue pension obligation bonds and notes
- funding the unfunded pension liability of its retirement system.
- Doing so would allow the city to pay off the majority or entirety of the pension obligation ahead of
- The key to a pension obligation bond is finding the right market conditions” “The key to a pension obligation
Keywords:
North Attleborough, town charter, home rule charter, municipal government, local option, charter amendment, Parks and Recreation Commission, Park Commission, write-in candidate, sticker candidate, ballot access, town election, bylaw, ordinance, board membership, local approval, Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, planning board, associate members