Transcript Highlights:

• These workers earn their pensions.
• These workers earn their pensions.
• The public markets have historically been the way that public pension funds invested.
• I don't think that's in it or get kicked out of their pensions. I don't think that's...
• I don't think that's in it or get kicked out of their pensions. I don't think that's true.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took action on a number of them. SB 1234 by Senator Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; there was no opposition, a committee member confirmed it would apply to caregivers rather than children, and the bill was supported for moving forward. SB 1257 by Senator Arreguín would require the Attorney General to publish an annual public report on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship; supporters from immigrant advocacy and health groups testified about fear and chilling effects in communities, while questions focused on how data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 by Senator Choi would bar foreign adversary entities from buying California agricultural land; supporters cited national security concerns, but committee members pressed on enforcement, straw buyers, and who would be responsible for identifying prohibited purchasers, and the bill was held on a 2-4 vote after debate. The committee also heard SB 1146 by Senator Gonzalez, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, describing deepfake health ads as deceptive and harmful; it passed the committee 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 988 by Senator Grayson would regulate auto glass insurance practices by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring claim numbers and itemized estimates, and addressing steering and billing practices; supporters said it would curb fraud and stabilize premiums, while independent glass businesses worried about steering and market concentration. After discussion of consumer choice and small-business impacts, the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1288, presented by Senator Grayson on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make a good-faith effort to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would reduce barriers to claiming those assets, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit witnesses described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements, while SIFMA and bankers opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactivity and verification. The bill passed 8-0 to call. The committee also heard SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; the Attorney General’s office and immigrant advocates supported it as a response to exploitative pricing and poor conditions, and it passed 8-0 to call. Finally, SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors opposed the fee and penalty structure as uncapped and costly. The bill was moved forward on a vote and remained on call after committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Lewis Young: State retirement pension system transfer between systems work group extension.
• 08:25.520><c> local</c><00:08:25.919><c> retirement</c><00:08:26.479><c> and</c><00:08:26.800><c> pension
• </c> state and local retirement and pension state and local retirement and pension systems.<00:08:28.240
• Clarification favorable. >> Recognizing the pension committee subcommittee chair as a floor leader. >
• </c><00:12:34.240><c> system</c> for state retirement and pension system for state retirement and pension

Transcript Highlights:

• It reinstates a pension waiver program.
• That would a pension waiver program.
• </c> pension benefit. They returned to work. pension benefit. They returned to work.
• And uh pensions.
• The employee will not have pension fund.

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been pension reform.
• It includes the five pension reform.
• </c><00:32:54.559><c> liability</c> every employer's net pension liability every employer's net pension
• </c><01:12:03.760><c> reform</c> discussion and need for pension reform discussion and need for pension
• </c> that has to do with the net pension that has to do with the net pension liability<01:13:59.520><

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, Senate Bill 1985 creates the Strategic Pension Protection Act.
• I would ask you, General Fund focuses only on the pension systems managed by professional fiduciaries
• Keep in mind that this is strictly for pension systems only.
• But this bill would simply only apply to the pension systems' investments thereof. Okay.
• But I would hope that our pension systems, and we trust those who have the fiduciary knowledge...

Bills: SB1302 , SB1389 , SB1401 , SB1776 , SB1809 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB2053 , SB2148

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee met and considered several bills. Senate Bill 1776, by Senator Pugh, would create a $10,000 refundable tax credit for teachers with seven consecutive years of service, as part of a teacher retention strategy; after questions about the seven-year threshold, it passed 8-3. Senate Bill 1858, by Senator Frix, would create a new TIF district financing option allowing developers, rather than cities or counties, to borrow against projected TIF revenues; the committee adopted an amendment changing a filing provision from “may” to “shall,” and the bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1985, by Senator Guthrie, would let state retirement systems consider limited investments in regulated digital assets, capped at 5% and narrowed to large-market-cap assets; the committee added an amendment inserting “in” to clarify the language, and the bill passed 9-2. The committee then rejected Senate Bill 1302, by Senator Kirt, which would repeal the “path to zero” trigger tied to future income tax cuts; it failed 2-9 after debate over fiscal stability and tax relief. Senate Bill 1809, by Senator Hamilton, would raise the homestead exemption from $1,000 to $5,000; members debated its impact on local governments and school funding, but it passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1401, by Senator Rader, was amended to adjust the insurance premium tax rate from 1.96% to 2.16% and eliminate the home office premium tax credit; the bill was laid over after concerns about its fiscal impact. Finally, Senate Bill 2053, also by Senator Rader, would allow cities and counties to impose up to a 10% excise tax on medical marijuana dispensaries by local vote, with OTC handling collections and enforcement; supporters framed it as local control and a way to offset public safety costs, while opponents argued it unfairly targeted dispensaries and consumers. The bill passed 7-3. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again the following Monday after floor activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• by Sparks relates to the authorization of issuance of bonds on election day for the Committee on Pension
• by Sparks relates to the authorization of issuance of bonds on election day for the Committee on Pension
• Of the Committee on Pension Investments and Financial Services.
• This relates to the financial crimes intelligence center for the Committee on Pensions, Investments,
• This bill is referred to the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.

Bills: HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , SB14 , HB 12 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , HCR123 , HCR124 , HR57 , HR87 , HR111 , HR228 , HR230 , HR322 , HR624 , HR625 , HR626 , HR627 , HR628 , HR630 , HR631 , HR634 , HR635 , HR636 , HR637 , HR638 , HR639 , HR640 , HR645 , HR646 , HR648 , HR649 , HR651 , HR652 , HR653 , HR654 , HR664 , HR665 , HR668 , HR675 , HR676 , HR678 , HR679 , HR680 , HR683 , HR686 , HR688 , HR689 , HR694 , HR695 , HR697 , HR698 , HR699 , HR472 , HR622 , HR632 , HR633 , HR643 , HR655 , HR657 , HR660 , HR661 , HR662 , HR663 , HR667 , HR670 , HR674 , HR681 , HR682 , HR696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees' retirement boards oversee complex public pension systems, often managing multi-billion-dollar
• I firmly believe in public pensions and much of the work that we do.
• I firmly believe in public pensions and much of the work that we do in this body revolves around ensuring
• that public servants receive those pensions after a long tenure.
• And I'd like to thank Assembly Member McKinner for her commitment to protect our pensions.

Summary: The Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with AB 2483, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire fire crew members to receive certification and pursue firefighting jobs after release. The author and supporters described incarcerated firefighters as highly trained workers who perform dangerous frontline fire suppression work but often leave without credentials or a clear hiring path. The chair strongly supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The committee then considered AB 1619, which would raise trustee stipend limits for retirement board members from $100 to $320 per meeting for county retirement systems, CalSTRS, and CalPERS, subject to local approval. Supporters argued the current stipend is nearly 40 years old and no longer reflects the complexity and fiduciary responsibility of overseeing large pension systems, and that higher stipends could improve diversity and participation. The bill was passed on a 7-0 vote and sent to Appropriations. The committee also passed its cleanup bill, AB 2780, making technical and conforming changes to retirement laws, and AB 2519, which corrects an unintended consequence of prior CalSTRS legislation so certain charter school employees can remain eligible for CalSTRS membership; both bills advanced unanimously to Appropriations. AB 2017, the California Eid State Holiday Act, was heard next. The bill would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in California and provide excused absences for students observing the holidays. Supporters, including Muslim students, educators, and advocacy organizations, said the measure would promote inclusion and help Muslim Californians feel seen and respected. Members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2656 would require public employers to give employee organizations 45 days’ written notice before developing or using generative AI in represented job classifications. Supporters said the bill would ensure transparency and labor input, while county and special district groups raised concerns about scope and implementation but expressed willingness to keep working on the measure. It also passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• payments, and many new legislators were not present when prior commitments were made to fully fund pensions
• were made to when prior commitments were made to fully<00:05:56.319><c> fund</c><00:05:56.840><c> pensions
• in</c><00:05:58.080><c> recent</c><00:05:58.639><c> recent</c><00:05:59.160><c> in</c> fully fund pensions
• in recent recent in fully fund pensions in recent recent in recent<00:05:59.840><c> address</c><00:06
• </c><00:14:04.279><c> that</c> significantly inflates the pension that significantly inflates the pension

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 193, described as a simple measure to restore a wallet card for jailers to carry when outside the jail. The chair noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee voted to pass the bill 9-0. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, a proposal focused on the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). The sponsor argued TRS remains underfunded despite large state contributions, cited rising unfunded liability and negative cash flow, and said the bill is intended to standardize and limit what sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave can count toward retirement calculations. The bill would generally cap TRS retirement credit at 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, prevent annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, require more uniform reporting and oversight from participating districts and agencies, and shift costs to districts that offer benefits beyond TRS limits. The sponsor also said the bill would add 30 maternity leave days, allow voluntary supplemental contributions for Tier Four teachers, and include a floor amendment directing the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agency leave policies. During the presentation, the sponsor emphasized fairness, transparency, and accountability, and used a hypothetical high-salary administrator to illustrate how leave payouts can increase retirement benefits and create additional unfunded liability. Senator Mills thanked the sponsor and said members had been working to understand the issue, but no committee action on Senate Bill 9 was completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Pensions will not go into executive session.
• But the second concern I have, since my wife is a recipient of this pension, I will be voting present
• If you have a family member that is in this particular pension system, it's your call.
• about before, I think this is sort of a fairness issue in terms of what we did with respect to other pensions
• That will end the Committee on Pensions there. Thank you, everyone, for coming. Thank you.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions met with a quorum and considered several retirement-related bills. Members first discussed House Bill 2095, which concerns cost-of-living increases on certain retirement allowances. Several representatives raised concerns about the fiscal impact and potential conflicts of interest because family members receive the pension benefits; some said they would vote present for that reason. The committee then moved to a substitute for the bill, and the sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the increase would be a one-time, non-cumulative COLA “13th check” triggered only when investment returns exceed the target by more than 2%, and that it would not permanently raise benefits. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 295 was passed out on a 9-0 vote with three present. The committee then skipped House Bill 2144 and took up House Bill 2205, another pension-related measure described as similar to an earlier bill but with an unlimited deduction rather than capped provisions. Supporters framed it as a fairness issue, while opponents cited the fiscal note and state budget constraints. After brief discussion comparing it to related bills and noting the fiscal impact, the committee voted the bill out 7-3 with two present. Throughout the meeting, members also discussed whether voting on pension bills created conflicts of interest when legislators or their spouses are beneficiaries. Some members chose to vote present on that basis, while others said they would vote according to conscience because the measures would not affect them immediately or directly.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it'll affect those pensions and what's happening, I guess, is that.
• The pensions weren't being adjusted because any move district judges salaries are not being adjusted
• Increase their own pension. Is that fair? Yeah.
• In equitable in terms of, you know, pension adjustments really means keeping like, like, uh, treating
• Um, pensions are in the 50 states.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about pension plans, and all these corporations contribute to the pension plans because of their
• Pensioners care about more than just the dollars in their pensions; they care about how the world...
• ...than just the dollars in their pensions.
• Shareholders and pensioners have other goals than just making more profits.
• If you're a shareholder in a pension plan, you can assign your vote...

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a recorded quorum, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced several guest groups in the gallery, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, a student shadowing Sen. Gonzalez, Gilbert EduPrize students, InterWest Energy Alliance representatives, and Kingman city leaders. The chamber adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the Senate also approved a motion to request House consent to adjourn after Wednesday, March 11, until Monday, March 16. A large number of bills were introduced on first reading, and standing committee reports were ordered entered without being read aloud. The Senate then took up numerous third-reading measures. Bills passed included SB 1654 (elections funding), SB 1711 (school safety/age-appropriate information), SB 1743 (campaign contribution address privacy), SB 1747 (assistive technology content), SB 1212 (health insurance reimbursement rules), SB 1284 (moving violations), SB 1336 (State Land Department-related changes), SB 1365 (property tax exemptions/veterans park discounts), SB 1655 (juror summoning/poll worker recruitment), SB 1662 (probation), SB 1803 (veterans’ services), SB 1818 (vehicle statutes), SB 1494 and SB 1497 (school insurance-related changes), SB 1503 (pension benefit plans), SB 1584 (Department of Corrections staffing), SB 1632 (Department of Economic Security), SB 1723 (bail), SB 1206 (insurance claims on reconsideration), and SB 1827 (aviation appropriations on reconsideration). SB 1134 on political signs initially failed, but the Senate later reconsidered and passed it. SB 1544 (probation) and SB 1585 (sex offender monitoring funding) failed. Several votes were close, and members offered explanations for both support and opposition on issues such as election administration, campaign privacy, health care incentives, veterans’ claims assistance, and criminal justice policy. The chamber then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for a long series of bills, adopting committee and floor amendments and recommending do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672. Testimony in committee focused on topics including high school training standards, veterans’ state park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS reimbursement and workforce issues, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug access. Later, the Committee of the Whole also considered SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, and SB 1611. SB 1173 drew debate over whether additional fingerprint/background checks were needed for AHCCCS providers; SB 1234 and SB 1295 addressed juvenile court representation and inmate medical release; and SB 1611, on the American Indian Health Program, prompted extensive discussion about fraud in the program, tribal consultation, and whether the program should be moved out of AHCCCS. The committee adopted amendments and advanced these bills with do pass recommendations, while members on SB 1611 emphasized both the need for reform and concerns about consultation with Arizona tribes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about pension plans, and all these corporations contribute to the pension plans because of their
• Pensioners care about more than just the dollars in their pensions; they care about how the world...
• Shareholders and pensioners have other goals than just making more profits.
• If you're a shareholder in a pension plan, you can assign your vote...
• If you're a shareholder in a pension plan, you can assign your vote to a proxy.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a really high level of funding for any type of annuity-type pension system.
• This bill would allow them to draw their pension and continue working in a district.
• The one thing that I want to clarify here: you cannot pay into the pension system if you...
• Here, you cannot pay into the pension system if you are actually retired from that system.
• Just kept getting my pension. And so that's very common in the world when that happens.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The work that the SBI does with $160 billion worth of pension portfolios is just as complicated as the
• It it occurs to me that as a uh as a state<00:15:09.519><c> pensioner</c><00:15:10.320><c> and</c><00
• and also an XL customer state pensioner and also an XL customer for<00:15:12.560><c> natural</c><00:
• managed my pension. $ 160 billion<00:15:30.000><c> dollar</c><00:15:31.120><c> uh</c><00:15:31.440><
• And then the second question is, you mentioned how your pension is well run.

Bills: HF3298

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not create pension holidays.
• 1439 is a good study bill that will assess the potential costs and impacts of prohibiting public pension
• Labor looks at these bills from the legislature telling the pension boards how they're supposed to invest
• So I urge you to simply send one message and one message alone to the pension board: try to maximize.
• .. ...message and one message alone to the pension board: try to maximize return on investment, try to

Transcript Highlights:

• and it was basically removed, and it has been deemed by the court that the 2% is not part of the pension
• However, this helps many of our retirees who have an average pension of about $30,000.
• So it is very costly to run this pension fund. But we're still not where we need to be.
• So it is very costly to run this pension fund.
• It is, and I would just say that, Madam Chair, New Mexico is lucky to have this pension plan intact as

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You've already retired, you've already gained your pensions, and you want to come back to teach again
• certain financial information related to perpetual care cemeteries, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• the prohibited activities of state trust companies under supervision in front of the Committee on Pensions
• HB 3833 by Lambert relates to the regulation of money service businesses for the Committee on Pensions
• approve the issuance of general obligation bonds by political subdivisions for the Committee on Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• specifically oppose section four of this bill, and we kind of just want to reiterate, you know, employees' pensions
• specifically oppose section four of this bill, and we kind of just want to reiterate, you know, employees' pensions
• However, currently there is no impasse mechanism, so if there's disagreement between either us, the exclusive

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• or hiring new police officers, retention, overall job satisfaction, and retirement, which is our pensions
• With regard to retirement in our pension, in the PERA Police and Fire Pension, we currently have those
• </c> with regard to retirement in our pension with regard to retirement in our pension in<00:05:01.919
• </c><00:05:04.039><c> we</c> in the parap police and fire pension we in the parap police and fire pension
• As long as that's on your list here, I wanted to ask about the pension issue.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This is referred to the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.
• debt incurred by certain individuals as a result of identity theft, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• the removal of certain eviction case information from credit reports, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• right to own, hold, and use mutually agreed-upon mediums of exchange, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• right to own, hold, and use mutually agreed-upon mediums of exchange, referred to the Committee on Pensions