Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and by adjusting the coverage because they're not taking claims.
• </c> they need to file a claim. Mhm. they need to file a claim. Mhm.
• > in</c><00:41:25.680><c> this</c> claims, storm related claims in this claims, storm related claims
• </c> insurance um uh property related claim. insurance um uh property related claim.
• And that's why claims settle. And there. And that's why claims settle.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• center to claim their property.
• That is highway cost adjusted, so that's inflation adjusted.
• To process an unemployment claim from when the claimant makes the claim?
• Our standard is two weeks from the time that you submit a claim.
• There were some issues concerning people filing fraudulent claims.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Relevant to tie the $500,000 to CPI, so that will automatically adjust.
• application, there's no process available, and we're the... ...claim application, there's no process
• Therefore, a claim could prove satisfactory proof of entitlement...
• entity that takes that claim has no guideline on when that should be paid out.
• I don't know that it would only be one year because we're not adjusting any of the other funding that

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• something I've been attempting to try to do for a number of years here in the legislature, is it adjusts
• He said the amount has never been adjusted for inflation.
• </c><00:15:40.639><c> that</c> into a long-term care policy claim that into a long-term care policy claim
• I cannot, cannot, cannot believe you just heard his claim was denied.
• </c><00:59:53.119><c> the</c> the landscape or you're adjusting the the landscape or you're adjusting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the OB3 legislation added about $4 trillion to the national debt, and that adjusting for
• So it gives us an opportunity to adjust and make the appropriate adjustments to our current-year budget
• Typically, you are able to claim state and local taxes as a deduction on your federal return.
• for claiming federal deductions on that 4% as well as the 5%.
• And those national profits get adjusted by the kinds of deductions that they can take.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes. Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act. Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adjusting for inflation, $15 in 2018, when the grand bargain was struck to gradually raise the minimum
• , it has a provision to allow for automatic adjustments in the future.
• credit for cheap, high-deductible plans that are functionally worthless. to claim credit for cheap,
• This past Friday, on 11/14, many of us received an email four months after opening our claims stating
• that our claims had been approved and monies would be released shortly.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill by Representative Boyer, payment of certain claims; certain injury claims; limitations, 118
• House Bill by Representative Boyer, payment of certain claims; certain injury claims; limitations, 118
• House Bill by Representative Shinaver, workers' compensation, claim for benefits, petition for a claim
• , contents of a petition, disputed claims, 456.
• House Bill 600 by Representative Ventrella, public adjusters; restrict certain fees.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• the adjusted gross income threshold floor to claim the $1,000 threshold floor to claim the $1,000 threshold
• It changes the adjusted gross income It changes the adjusted gross income It changes the adjusted gross
• It changes the adjusted gross income floor to claim the adjusted gross income floor to claim the adjusted
• And in one case, we're claiming claiming the uh case, we're claiming claiming the uh case, we're claiming
• So, we're claim the deduction. So, we're claim the deduction.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> per employee um there are adjustments per employee um there are adjustments that<02:30:59.200><c
• tips, and the employee is able to claim above and beyond what has been claimed, given the basis, which
• </c> employee also has the ability to claim employee also has the ability to claim above<03:45:57.520
• 46:11.680><c> and</c> the employee is able to claim above and the employee is able to claim above and
• ><c> given</c><03:46:14.199><c> our</c> beyond what we've claimed given our beyond what we've claimed

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill make necessary adjustments.
• Direct claims experience to pull from.
• Nearly two-thirds of those with filed claims have multiple claims.
• Claims. In fact, over 22% in this subset of respondents have claims filed in the double digits.
• </c> interaction with a portal or a claim. interaction with a portal or a claim.

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone who claimed that subtraction prior to that date may continue claiming it in future tax years,
• They really hadn't been adjusted at all for inflation.
• That's going to be adjusted to the CPI every three years.
• Hopefully we won't go 25 years without adjusting these again.
• Section 513.430 adjusts all the exemption amounts.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2116, which concerned Missouri 529 tax treatment. Representative Hinman offered an amendment to phase out the Missouri tax subtraction for contributions to non-Missouri 529 plans for new claimants beginning January 1, 2027, while allowing prior users to continue within existing limits. The amendment and then a committee substitute were adopted, and the substitute was voted do pass by an 11-3-1 roll call. Representative Hinman also noted interest in the department re-engaging an advisor-sold Missouri 529 option to attract more in-state investment. The committee then heard House Bill 1870, a garnishment and judgment-debtor bill sponsored by Representative Roberts. The bill updates long-outdated exemption amounts, ties some exemptions to CPI adjustments, revises procedures for examining judgment debtors, and creates a new process for garnishment of financial institution account funds, with different effective dates for various provisions. Testimony from the Missouri Bankers Association emphasized that the measure was the product of extensive stakeholder work and was intended to modernize the law, protect protected benefits, and make garnishment administration clearer for banks. Questions focused on joint accounts, business accounts, and notice issues; a later opponent argued the bill could improperly burden joint account holders and raise concerns about equitable garnishment and corporate-veil issues. House Bill 2586, sponsored by Representative Castile, would lower the minimum credit union membership share from $25 to $1 and allow credit union board and committee participation by electronic means. The sponsor and the Missouri Credit Union Association said the change would improve access for low-income members and help boards meet despite weather or distance, while also aligning state law more closely with federal credit union practice. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3107, the “Safe Harbor” bill sponsored by Representative Oehlerking. The bill would shield financial institutions from civil liability when they act in good-faith reliance on written guidance from regulators, while excluding fraud, intentional misconduct, willful wrongdoing, and gross negligence. Supporters from credit unions and bankers said the bill would reduce costly litigation and prevent institutions from being punished for following regulatory instructions. Opponents argued the bill could hide nonpublic agency guidance, shift legal interpretation away from courts, and leave consumers without recourse; they suggested any protection should be narrower and more transparent. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies the statute of limitation or response for construction defect claims.
• Clarifies the statute of limitation or response for construction defect claims.
• On page four, in the penalty section, lines seven to 13, we changed adjusted language.
• That was an adjustment from the original House draft bill and then negotiated to where we sit today.
• This is a liquor tax alcohol bill and also adjusts the volume of spirit beverages.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurers’ accountability in claim denials.
• And the faster we can use these tools to make claims decisions, the lower the cost of the claims decision
• And the faster we can use, we can make claims decisions, the lower the cost of the claims decision processes
• , review the outputs, review previous claims if possible.
• When someone’s claim to rebuild their life is denied, that consumer deserves to know. ...claim to rebuild

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. HB 487 would authorize the CFO and State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of certain state funds in Bitcoin, require specified custody methods, allow Bitcoin lending under rule, and create a process for accepting taxes and fees in Bitcoin. The sponsor and several proponents argued it would diversify state investments, hedge inflation, and position Florida as a leader in digital assets. Members raised concerns about volatility, security, valuation, and whether Bitcoin was being singled out over other cryptocurrencies, but the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. The committee then considered HB 7011, an Open Government Sunset Review measure for records of insolvent insurers. The bill would continue some exemptions but make additional records public, including underwriting files, risk-solvency assessments, corporate governance annual disclosures, and the names, benefits, and compensation of insurance executive officers. There was no public testimony, and members discussed privacy and safety concerns, but the bill passed and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1433 on hurricane mitigation grants and insurer regulation. The bill would tighten restrictions on former executives of failed insurers, raise capital requirements for new insurers, and require mitigation credits when homeowners receive Safe Florida Home funds. An amendment was adopted to require a licensed person to make final claim-denial decisions when AI or automation is used and to prioritize filings that lower rates. Consumer advocates supported the transparency and consumer protections, while industry representatives urged caution on the AI provisions. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably. The meeting ended with closing remarks from the ranking member, vice chair, and chair reflecting on the committee’s work and likely final meeting of the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• UP NEXT WE HAVE HB 1449 STATEWIDE PROVIDER AND HEALTH CLAIM DISPUTE RESOLUTION BY REPRESENTATIVE BUSATTA
• SHOULD GO TO THE STATE MECHANISM AND SELF-INSURANCE CLAIMS PLACE THAN THE COMMERCIAL CLAIM SHOULD GO
• TO THE STATE MECHANISM AND SELF-INSURANCE CLAIMS GO TO THE FEDERAL MECHANISMS.
• WE HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO PAY LARGE CLAIMS, UNCOVERED CLAIMS TO KEEP PROVIDERS SENDING MORE DISPUTES THEIR
• >> Chair Michaels: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> WE ARE NOT ADJUSTING EXISTING TYPES OF LICENSES.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, many survivors have seen their insurance claims delayed, reduced, or denied altogether.
• The task force identified significant gaps in science, testing protocols, and claims practices.
• This ensures that survivors have real science-based standards governing their claims.
• For claims that occur after the effective date of the bill. Can we clarify?
• a certain threshold that now has to be met to be able to file claims for smoke damage?

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. AB 69, AB 1554, and AB 1680 all focused on California’s insurance market and the Fair Plan. AB 69 would require clearer notices to Fair Plan policyholders about coverage options, quarterly public reporting on clearinghouse programs, and additional broker/agent training to help depopulate the Fair Plan while preserving consumer choice. AB 1554 would require the California Earthquake Authority to post its annual report online and send it to relevant committees, and would direct the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group on incorporating hazard mitigation into risk-transfer recommendations. AB 1680 would require the Fair Plan to comply with CDI examination findings, hire more staff, and improve clearinghouse operations; the Fair Plan moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and the department said the bill would strengthen accountability and consumer protections. These bills were held pending quorum or taken up later, with authors requesting aye votes. AB 2198, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would clarify title insurance rate-filing rules by specifying that title insurers file title rates and underwritten title companies file escrow rates, reducing duplicative filings and requiring rate schedules to be posted online. The California Land Title Association supported the bill, saying it codified longstanding practice and improved transparency, while the department continued discussions about possible revisions. The bill was left open for further questions and a later vote. AB 1795, by Assemblymember Gibson, would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke damage in wildfire-affected homes. The author and the Department of Insurance said the bill would establish science-based standards, protect survivors from unsafe reentry, require training and certification for relevant professionals, and improve claims handling; the department also described serious gaps found in its Fair Plan examination and recent wildfire claims. Insurers and some residents opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was still too broad, could raise costs, relied too much on industry standards, and left unresolved issues about legal standards, timing, and coverage. The bill remained under discussion, with the author saying negotiations would continue. AB 311, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would create an optional telematics-based auto insurance program to reward safer driving and improve road safety. Supporters, including road-safety advocates, victims’ families, and some insurance representatives, argued telematics could reduce speeding and distracted driving and save lives. Opponents, including privacy and consumer groups, argued the bill would create opaque surveillance pricing, undermine Prop. 103, and raise privacy and fairness concerns. After extensive debate, the committee passed the bill on a 3-0 vote and placed it on call. AB 1798, by Assemblymember Wilson, would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information from direct-to-consumer or other predictive genetic testing to deny coverage or raise premiums, while preserving use of medical history and family history and allowing consideration of certain high-value policies above $1.5 million. Supporters said the bill would reduce genetic discrimination and encourage testing; insurers argued genetic information is relevant to underwriting and warned the bill could raise costs and create inconsistencies. The committee chair and members noted the bill was close to agreement but still needed work, and the bill was moved with a 3-0 vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to talk to LDR to kind of adjust that internally so that we don't see that.
• And if it's really bad, there's got to be some adjustment up or down.
• If it's really good, some adjustment upward.
• So expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.
• Expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.

Summary: The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as nonrecurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, FY 2027, and the long-range outlook. The Division of Administration recommended a $113 million reduction to the FY 2026 State General Fund forecast and a $104 million reduction for FY 2027, citing weaker-than-expected individual income tax collections, softer corporate income tax receipts, and some weakness in general sales tax, partly offset by stronger motor vehicle sales tax and higher mineral-related revenues tied to oil prices. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but broadly similar forecast, with modest net increases to the general fund bottom line in the current year and next year, emphasizing caution on income and corporate taxes and more optimism on sales, severance, royalties, and some other revenue streams. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the causes of the income tax shortfall, especially withholding and refund patterns after tax changes that lowered rates. Department of Revenue officials explained that withholding tables had been set with a cushion that may be producing larger refunds, and said changing the tables could quickly reduce overwithholding, though the effect would take time to show up. Members also discussed corporate collections, the lingering effects of the franchise tax repeal, the role of settlements and audits, and the extent to which collections are voluntary versus enforcement-driven. The Department of Revenue said corporate collections still had key filing and estimated-payment milestones ahead in May and June, and that refund and audit activity related to the former franchise tax would continue for some time. The conference then adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast, the FY 2027 recurring forecast, and the long-range forecast, along with the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation. Members also adopted the incentive expenditure forecast, noting that the reported amount is only the REC-reported portion and that larger tax exemption amounts come off the top before appropriations. The Treasurer reported a General Fund cash balance of about $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and an interfund borrowing base of about $9.18 billion, saying cash levels were similar on average to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed depending on the May 16 election, and the conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to talk to LDR to kind of adjust that internally so that we don't see that.
• And if it's really bad, there's got to be some adjustment up or down.
• If it's really good, some adjustment upward.
• So expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.
• Expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the December 11, 2025 minutes. Members then recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as non-recurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, with the Division of Administration recommending a reduction of about $113 million, driven primarily by weaker individual income tax collections, softer general sales tax receipts, and a substantial cut to corporate income tax forecasts. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but still cautious outlook, and members discussed withholding rates, refund growth, corporate collections, and the effects of the franchise tax repeal and tax reform changes. After questions to the Department of Revenue about collections, refunds, enforcement, and settlements, the conference adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast. The conference then reviewed the FY 2027 recurring forecast. The Division of Administration again recommended a reduction, this time about $104 million, citing continued caution on individual income and corporate taxes, while the Legislative Fiscal Office projected a net increase of about $127 million, largely from sales tax, severance, royalties, vehicle sales tax, and other revenue streams. Members discussed the practical budget impact of the revised forecasts, including the need to reduce spending and the difficulty of funding a possible teacher stipend if a constitutional amendment fails. The FY 2027 recurring forecast was adopted. Members also adopted the long-range forecast, the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation, and the incentive expenditure forecast. The incentive discussion noted that reported incentive costs reduce available revenue before appropriations, and members raised the possibility of reviewing or capping such incentives. The Treasurer’s Office then reported that the General Fund cash balance was $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and the interfund borrowing base was about $9.18 billion, with cash positions generally similar to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed after the May 16 election, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill by Representative Boyer, payment of certain claims, certain injury claims, limitations, House
• House Bill by Representative Berault, health insurance, payment of claims, adverse actions, 291.
• House Bill by Representative Shinaver: workers' compensation; claim for benefits; petition for a claim
• ; contents of a petition; disputed claims, 456.
• House Bill by Representative Dickerson: payment of certain claims; damage caps, 526. Civil Law.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:08.320><c> Um</c> because of the number of claims. Um because of the number of claims.
• ,</c><00:37:57.520><c> insurance</c> uh picked up by adjusters, insurance uh picked up by adjusters,
• claims to ensure that verify those claims to ensure that they're<00:38:01.760><c> accurately</c><00:
• of Agriculture's desk for roughly $93,000 worth of elk claims and $23,000 worth of wolf claims with
• Thank you. elk claims and $23,000 worth of wolf elk claims and $23,000 worth of wolf claims<00:40:36.160

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Simplifying the claims process is a much more beneficial way to get doctors to participate in the program
• SIMPLIFYING THE CLAIMS PROCESS IS A MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL WAY TO GET DOCTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM
• We are still trying to come back with on COLA, so let me start there with the cost-of-living adjustment
• So grateful to both houses for putting the cost-of-living adjustment in.
• SO GRATEFUL TO BOTH HOUSES FOR PUTTING THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations. A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes. Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system. Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.