Transcript Highlights:

• We legislation as the fish and day.
• Probably prefer the way he votes on legislation over the way I vote on legislation.
• attention to the legislation in front of us and what that piece of legislation does.
• legislation.
• </c> direct involvement in pension policy. direct involvement in pension policy.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:27.519><c> yeah</c> apply to your pension yeah apply to your pension yeah no<00:13:31.320>
• Since this is a pension repair bill, that is part of that.
• It's very, very close. pension by working in the last three pension by working in the last three years
• pension pension Bill<00:19:12.679><c> if</c><00:19:12.799><c> you're</c><00:19:13.039><c> asking</c>
• </c><01:12:48.600><c> in</c> there there is pending legislation in there there is pending legislation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed selected House Bill 2 provisions, focusing first on the group two pension reform language and whether it matched prior legislation and the fiscal note. Members discussed two main issues: the treatment of extra and special duty pay in the pension calculation for employees hired before 2011, and the annuity multiplier after 15 years of creditable service. Several members said the HB 2 language was intended to restore prior law and protect against pension “spiking,” while others worried the draft and fiscal note may not have fully reflected current law, potentially affecting the cost estimate. The discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid underfunding or double counting and to make sure Finance had the correct actuarial assumptions. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to flag the issues for Finance and to clarify the fiscal note. Members also discussed the vested-rights language, which was described as an explicit definition of vesting and a restriction on future legislative changes to compensation calculations after three years of service. Some viewed it as a policy protection with no immediate fiscal impact, while others noted it had been included in prior legislation and should be clearly understood before the bill moved forward. The committee also briefly referenced prior pension legislation, including House Bill 436 and House Bill 727, and noted that HB 2 was being used to carry forward related pension repair provisions. The committee then turned to an OPLC-related section transferring building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel gas inspector positions from OPLC to the Department of Safety’s Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony explained that the nine inspector positions are funded from the licensing fund, and that the move was justified as a public-safety function better aligned with the Fire Marshal’s mission because the inspections are statewide code-enforcement work rather than facility-specific licensing work. The discussion ended with a note that the remaining HB 2 changes run through 2034 and a brief announcement about memorial arrangements for C.J. Gerard.

Transcript Highlights:

• liability and our pension liability.
• To make forward payments to pay down our unfunded pension liability.
• It's a little bit old, but unfunded pension liability stood at $40.5 But unfunded pension liability stood
• It's a little bit old, but unfunded pension liability stood at 40.5.
• But unfunded pension liability stood at $40.5 billion.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh to protect Kentucky state pension uh to protect Kentucky state pension holders<00:13:40.360><
• </c> Kentucky's retirement accounts, pension Kentucky's retirement accounts, pension investments,<00:
• legislation legislation to<00:37:09.440><c> regulate</c><00:37:09.645><c> [clears throat]</c><00:37:
• ,</c><00:41:43.280><c> but</c> really good piece of legislation, but really good piece of legislation
• This legislation gives hospitals the This legislation gives hospitals the ability<00:45:49.200><c> to

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process and can effectively
• Let's be clear: when we protect pensions, we protect working families.
• It's not fair for the CSU to take and manipulate legislative education funds to benefit their own pockets
• I'm Adriana Gomez, legislative advocate with the CSU Office of the Chancellor, here to Good morning.
• Spouse or a registered domestic partner to receive ongoing survivor pension benefits.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor and retirement bills. AB 1582 by Assembly Member Ortega would make it an unfair labor practice for a higher education employer to disregard or delay arbitration decisions involving contracting out, with make-whole relief including attorney fees and costs. Supporters from AFSCME and other labor groups said UC has repeatedly ignored arbitration outcomes on outsourcing disputes, while UC opposed the bill as an overbroad change that could create systemwide operational and financial risk. The committee passed the bill on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. AB 1818 by Assembly Member Ortega would repeal an outdated HEERA provision that CSU has used to reopen bargaining when it claims state funding is insufficient. Teamsters and other labor supporters argued CSU has used the provision to avoid honoring negotiated raises, while CSU said the bill would limit its ability to manage compensation responsibly when state funding is uncertain. The committee also passed AB 1818 to Appropriations. AB 1564 by Assembly Member Arreguín would make communications between an employee and union representative confidential in public employment matters. Labor supporters said the measure would protect trust in the representational relationship and codify existing PERB case law, while school, local government, county, city, and business groups warned it could hinder workplace investigations, including those involving student safety and harassment. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 1844 by Assembly Member Pacheco, placed on the consent calendar, would update Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor benefits and to extend access to survivor options for vested judges; it was approved unanimously, 7-0. After all items were taken up, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The council addresses issues and recommends legislation pertaining to workers' compensation.
• /c><00:01:12.240><c> recommends</c> recommendation and recommends recommendation and recommends legislation
• <00:01:13.840><c> pertaining</c><00:01:14.320><c> to</c><00:01:14.479><c> workers</c> legislation pertaining
• to workers legislation pertaining to workers compensation.<00:01:16.240><c> The</c><00:01:16.479><c>
• </c> the capital investment and pension the capital investment and pension bills,<00:07:47.680><c> but

Bills: SF1832

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All other state pension plans receive automatic COLAs. We don't.
• Please use a small portion of that pension money to help bring equity to our majority women pension plan
• Plan 1 retirees tend to spend most, if not all, their pensions within the state.
• PERS and TRS 1 plans are the only state pension plans without an automatic COLA.
• I'm here to speak in support of our agency request legislation, Senate Bill 5988.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Refer the Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services.
• responsibility under the Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice Remedies code for the Committee on Pensions
• HB 1828 by or relating to legislative leave for correctional officers employed by the Texas Department
• Refer to the Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services.
• of other acts of that legislator for the Committee of Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today we have Carolyn Chu, who's the Chief Deputy Legislative Analyst, and we have Lisa Mir Szynski
• Pension and state retiree health liabilities.
• Yes, Brian Euler with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• The pension liabilities have...
• The pension liabilities have a discount rate of closer to 7%.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review held an informational hearing on ACA 20, the Save for California’s Future Act, and took no votes. The chair described the measure as a way to strengthen the state’s Rainy Day Fund by increasing reserves during strong revenue years and helping pay down long-term obligations. The vice chair said he preferred a broader spending rule tied to a rolling average of revenues, rather than the proposal’s reserve-focused approach. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained how Proposition 2 currently requires deposits into the Budget Stabilization Account and debt payments when revenues are strong, and how ACA 20 would change those rules by increasing required reserve deposits, raising the BSA target from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, creating a “super excess capital gains” deposit requirement, extending debt-payment requirements through 2040, and expanding eligible debt uses to include Proposition 98 settle-up, budgetary borrowing, and federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the measure and believes it improves Proposition 2. Members asked about the Gann limit, whether the measure would allow more spending or simply change how deposits are counted, the impact on infrastructure and other programs, the size of the UI debt, and how the proposal would affect future budget flexibility. Several senators supported the goal of saving more in good years and using reserves to avoid painful cuts in downturns, while others questioned whether the proposal was sufficiently simple or whether a larger structural spending rule would be better. Public comment largely supported the measure, with one former legislative staffer arguing it follows earlier reserve reforms and helps address the state’s UI debt. The chair closed by noting the committee would not act that day and that the measure would be considered on the Senate floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today we have Carolyn Chu, who's the Chief Deputy Legislative Analyst, and we have Lisa Mir Szynski
• Pension and state retiree health liabilities.
• Yes, Brian Euler with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• The pension liabilities have...
• The pension liabilities have a discount rate of closer to 7%.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These workers earn their pensions.
• I'm trying to understand just the flow of this legislation in the context of, say, the Cooley legislation
• I serve as legislative counsel with Public Advocates.
• legislation.
• With so much legislation, when we think about lawsuits, when we think about legislation, we think about

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, 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, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 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 warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

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.
• And I think the future legislators should take a look at coming up with some type of system where they
• 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:

• Prayer by Donna Kafer, Legislative Chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the
• That would be where they might have to forfeit their pension, and pension rights.
• Pension rights matter.
• And once a teacher is vested in their pension, to rip it away from them is wrong.
• President, the Committee of the Whole, having under consideration the legislation listed below, makes

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and routine journal and appointment actions. Members also made brief announcements about caucus meetings and recognized guests from AIM Youth Mental Health, including a proclamation by Senator Epstein designating May 31, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Day in Arizona. The chamber then met as the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 2995, relating to legal decision-making and parenting time in domestic relations cases. A committee amendment and a Mesnard floor amendment were adopted; the floor amendment emphasized child and victim safety in domestic violence cases, tightened standards for rebutting presumptions, and added an emergency clause. The bill was then reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation. Members next considered House Concurrent Resolution 2040, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning labor organization use of public resources in school districts. Supporters argued it would restrict use of district communication systems and public resources for union-related materials and work stoppages, while opponents raised constitutional, due process, contract, pension, and free speech concerns, and argued it would harm teachers and union communication. The Government Committee amendment was adopted, and after debate the resolution was reported out of Committee of the Whole with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 12-11 division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and adjourned until May 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prayer by Donna Kafer, Legislative Chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the
• That would be where they might have to forfeit their pension and pension rights.
• Senator Epstein: And pension rights matter.
• And once a teacher is vested in their pension, to rip it away from them is wrong.
• President, the Committee of the Whole, having under consideration the legislation listed below, makes

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Employer pension increases $116 million for a five-year total cost of $1.6 billion to the state.
• I don't know how that works, but I mean, that pension fund is one of the best.
• I don't know how that works, but I mean, that pension fund is one of the best.
• We stand in strong support of this legislation. Thank you, Mr. sponsor. Thank you.
• Many legislators have sunk their teeth into this.

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an honor to lead this committee, which has a rich legislative history.
• This is the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, but I am particularly pleased about
• We also passed legislation to bring lower-cost generic drugs more quickly to market so that Americans
• for watching, and I look forward to helping you be a better version of yourself. played to union pension
• We agreed in that legislation on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize, expand, and strengthen the SUPPORT

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:22.119><c> who</c> job and we've had some legislators who job and we've had some legislators
• This piece of legislation would lay that out clearly in statute.
• </c> pension pay pay pension contributions pension pay pay pension contributions versus<03:20:12.800>
• <03:55:06.840><c> system</c><03:55:07.080><c> in</c> pension system in pension system in 2011<03:55:10.080
• </c><04:04:03.080><c> history</c> had pulled up the legislative history had pulled up the legislative

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:03.200><c> assistant</c><00:02:04.399><c> researcher</c><00:02:05.520><c> agency</c> legislative
• And then the second question is, you mentioned how your pension is well run.
• I passed, I was the, I worked past that legislation a few years ago.
• </c> past that legislation a few years ago. past that legislation a few years ago.
• And so we<01:26:28.159><c> obtained</c><01:26:28.639><c> legislation</c> we obtained legislation we obtained

Bills: HF3298

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• process and can effectively deliberate on critical issues in the legislative process and can effectively
• I firmly believe in public pensions and much of the work that we do.
• 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.
• Osama Mukaddem, legislative director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, California chapter

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:34.680><c> And</c><00:10:34.920><c> we</c> the pension pension benefits.
• And we the pension pension benefits.
• </c> But this with the last the legislation But this with the last the legislation that<00:30:18.400>
• ><c> that</c><00:37:25.720><c> was</c> But, with the legislation that was But, with the legislation that
• </c> when we did pension reform. when we did pension reform.

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: 958, all