Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, we will file those reports.
• Seeing none, we will file. Seeing none, we will file it.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The State Agencies Joint Audit Committee met to open the meeting with prayer, recognize interns, and approve the minutes from the March 12 meeting. The committee also agreed to defer a special report from the Health Department until its August meeting. Staff then reviewed audit reports, including 12 reports without findings that were filed without objection. The main report discussed was the Department of Finance and Administration FY24 audit, which contained three findings: a stolen taser from the Alcohol Beverage Control Enforcement Division valued at about $1,300 and referred to the Attorney General; improper federal grant expenditures identified by the Office of Intergovernmental Services, with about $5,500 later reimbursed; and nine unauthorized bank debits totaling more than $5,600, most of which were refunded. Members asked no questions on the DFA report, and it was filed. The committee announced its next meeting for August 13 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The letters of appointment have been filed for both of our new members in the office of the Chief Clerk
• for the rules from the State Affairs Committee and the Resources and Conservation Committee will be filed
• Senate Bills 1432, 1434, and 1437 filed on the Second Reading Calendar.
• Senator Bill 1332, 1432, 1434 and 1437, filed a second reading calendar.
• The chairman has filed it for the Second Reading Calendar. All right, all right.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment after acquiring the needed signatures and filing
• The measure is then filed with the legislature.
• or an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment after acquiring the needed signatures and filing
• the signatures with the Secretary of the Commonwealth the measure is then filed with the legislature
• Some are filed by 10 professional activists.

Bills: H5009

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: collective bargaining, worker rights, labor relations, public counsel services, state employees, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investigation request to the Washington State Patrol, or WSP, within six months of and up to the filing
• The bill, House Bill 1399, as it passed out of the committee, required a person filing to submit the
• request at least two months before the filing deadline and did not provide the delayed timeline for the
• must develop and provide on its website by October 1, 2026, a standard form and process for persons filing
• So there is a different timeline provided for persons who are filing for...

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governor or legislature, a supermajority of the legislature, desires to have a tax policy in the tax filing
• substantial change at the federal level, we've got to determine what we're going to do before tax filing
• That helps taxpayers file on time. It reduces confusion.
• It minimizes the number of amended returns families and small businesses must file later.
• That reduces confusion and minimizes the number of amended returns families and small businesses must file

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2780, a technical cleanup measure related to Arizona’s judicial tax lien foreclosure process. The sponsor and a witness explained that it would clarify when a foreclosure should proceed as a public sale, standardize how excess proceeds are distributed, and resolve inconsistencies left from prior reforms. Members asked about the intent to protect lienholders while ensuring former property owners can receive excess funds; the bill was then returned with a due pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 4029, as amended, which would require the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to evaluate the revenue impact of federal tax conformity changes earlier in the year, and would require the Department of Revenue to issue tax forms consistent with current statute. The amendment added reporting deadlines and a trigger for the governor to assess whether a special session is needed if the revenue impact is at least $100 million. Supporters argued the bill would force earlier action on conformity and prevent tax forms from being issued based on changes not yet enacted; opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay the long-standing practice of preparing forms based on expected conformity. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill as amended on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4030 and the related HCR 2052, which would impose a moratorium from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 on local increases in municipal and county fees, transaction privilege tax rates, and utility rates. Supporters said the measure would protect taxpayers from higher costs of living and prevent local governments from using utility rates or fees to offset other revenue needs. Opponents from cities, counties, and advocacy groups warned it could limit funding for water, wastewater, roads, public safety, and other infrastructure, especially for fast-growing or rural communities that rely on rate studies, grants, and enterprise funds. After extensive testimony and debate over municipal revenue growth, utility financing, and local control, the committee moved the bill forward; the transcript ends during the roll call and does not clearly state the final vote on HB 4030 or HCR 2052.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so before we go into questions, and this is the one everybody's here for, there is a late-filed
• It's a late-filed amendment. I have not seen it. I would like to have a little more understanding.
• It's a late-filed amendment. I have not seen it. I would like to have a little more understanding.
• This is a late filed amendment. I have not seen it. I would like to have a little more explanation.
• Okay, senators, there is a late-filed amendment, barcode 528760.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just like any other repealer, we filed the code sections and the bills to address the repealers.
• So the state has not failed to file paperwork to be prepared.
• The local units of government, EMA directors, have a duty to file information with MIMA to enter that
• </c> failed to file paperwork to be prepared. failed to file paperwork to be prepared.
• </c> directors have a duty to file directors have a duty to file information<00:24:26.080><c> with</c

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be SB 381, file item 1, and file item 2, SB 490.
• I see. 381 file item 1 and file item 2 SB 490.
• I see that the senator is here for the second file item, but I'm going to give it to my vice chair real
• Senator Wahab has file item 1. Senator Wahab has file item 1, SB 381. We’re ready when you are?
• Committee assistant, if we can please open the roll call on file item 1, SB 381.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would set deadlines for DHCS to investigate complaints about unlicensed sober living or recovery homes and require follow-up site visits; if the department cannot act within those timelines, counties and cities could request to assist with enforcement. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety and close enforcement gaps. County behavioral health representatives opposed the measure, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over private unlicensed residences, could face liability, and would absorb an unfunded workload increase. After extensive questioning about jurisdiction, local pressure, and whether the bill creates a mandate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 490 to Appropriations and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees and descendants to obtain original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and stop omitting certain birth information from the amended certificate. The author and many adoptees and birth parents testified that access to original records is important for identity, dignity, and medical history, and that the bill would reduce the need for invasive searches through DNA and informal records. Several members raised concerns about privacy, the possibility of unwanted contact, and the mental health impacts on birth parents who expected confidentiality, while others emphasized the health benefits and the fact that most modern adoptions are open. The discussion focused heavily on proposed amendments to the contact form and whether the bill should require opt-in or opt-out contact preferences, but the transcript does not show a final vote on SB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, a conditional approval request has been filed for this.
• Um, a conditional approval request has been filed.
• And with that running list of statutory changes, I was intending to file that collection of statutory
• So we'll be filing that shortly. um should someone take care of that?
• Um, however, filing is open if that's something that you're interested in pursuing. >> In your perk?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its September meeting, seated alternates to establish a quorum, approved the prior minutes and consent agenda, and then moved to the regular calendar. The main substantive item was the kinship care home licensing standards rule (2025-130), which had a conditional approval request with three comments. Committee discussion focused on whether the rule and statute aligned on temporary permits, renewal, and whether a statutory amendment might be needed. Department of Health and Human Services and DCF staff explained that kinship care licenses are issued for two years and may be renewed, while the temporary six-month permit is meant to bridge applicants until licensure. They also said the rule was amended to reflect statutory language, and members suggested adding clearer language to avoid confusion. The committee then approved the conditional request, including oral amendments for clarity, and noted that any needed statutory cleanup would be added to a running list of possible changes for future filing. The committee next took up an emergency rule from the Lottery Commission concerning games of chance and video lottery terminals. Staff said the emergency rule was needed to avoid substantial fiscal harm to the state and loss of expected revenue, and that it largely builds on existing charitable gaming infrastructure. Members questioned the emergency basis and asked about precedent for using fiscal harm as justification, but staff said they did not have precedent information immediately available. The commission representative said regular rulemaking was already underway and would be brought to the commission at its October meeting. The committee did not take adverse action on the emergency rule during the discussion. Finally, the committee reviewed Department of Safety Commissioner Emergency Rule 14357 on school bus transportation qualifications. The rule creates an exception for applicants whose driver’s license validity had a gap of no more than 30 days due to suspension or non-renewal, which staff said would help address a school bus driver shortage and reduce transportation problems for students. Members raised the possibility of a legislative fix to distinguish administrative lapses from safety-related suspensions, and staff said that could be considered. The committee noted the emergency rule is only effective for 180 days and will return through regular rulemaking for fuller review. The meeting ended with scheduling for the next regular meeting on October 17 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have bills that we filed that made adjustments from last session's bills, but we had to file to meet
• the bill filing deadline.
• If the panel grants the request, DFPS must remove the individual's name and all relevant files within
• Senate Bill 1677, as filed, would have directed the Department of Health State Services to conduct a
• I know that Representative Cody Harris has filed this bill from personal experience a couple of times

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, we even have the rank-and-file FOP support of this legislation.
• So, uh, we even have the rank-and-file FOP support of this legislation.
• So, uh, we even have the rank-and-file FOP support of this legislation.
• So, uh, we even have the rank-and-file FOP support of this legislation.
• So, uh, we even have the rank-and-file FOP support of this legislation.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:11 Attendance Roll Call: 00:18 Senate Bill 10 (Sen. Mills): 01:47 Senate Bill 65 (Sen. West): 18:47 Senate Bill 104 (Sen. Madon): 25:41 Adjournment: 31:38, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which would revise CERS retiree health subsidies for members who began participating on or before July 1, 2003. Senator Mills said the bill was developed with employee and employer groups to improve retiree health benefits while protecting the system’s financial footing, using a shared-cost structure. Testimony from sheriffs, police chiefs, firefighters, and the League of Cities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing recruitment and retention, affordability of retiree health coverage, and limited taxpayer risk. Members echoed those points, and the committee approved SB 10 with a 9-0 favorable recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator West, which would codify the Administrative Regulations Committee’s annual practice of placing certain deficient regulations into statute so they cannot take effect. West explained that the committee’s role is limited to finding regulations deficient or asking for deferral, and that SB 65 is the fifth version of this measure. He described the specific regulation at issue as a Medicaid Services rule that would have required behavioral health associates to hold a master’s degree; providers testified that it would reduce the workforce and harm behavioral health services statewide. West said the committee had deferred the matter eight times before deciding to side with providers. The bill received favorable expression and was reported out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Senator Madon, concerning Kentucky Deferred Comp for state employees. The bill would establish a codified fiduciary standard, authorize fiduciary liability insurance, add self-correcting mechanisms to keep the plan in compliance with federal law, and allow self-directed brokerage accounts. Personnel Cabinet representatives said the changes would align the plan with other public pension plans, reduce risk, and offer participants a useful investment option with strong account growth among users. SB 104 also received favorable expression and was reported to the floor. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• frivolous recall petitions before filed frivolous recall petitions before which<00:13:23.480><c> we've
• </c> Republicans case um we filed Republicans case um we filed it's<00:14:00.440><c> okay</c><00:14:01.040
• ><c> we</c><00:14:01.199><c> filed</c><00:14:01.519><c> an</c><00:14:01.680><c> amikas</c><00:14:02.160
• ><c> brief</c><00:14:02.800><c> um</c><00:14:03.000><c> so</c> it's okay we filed an amikas brief um
• so it's okay we filed an amikas brief um so I<00:14:03.440><c> I</c><00:14:03.560><c> think</c><00:14

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So that brings us to this bill, House File 3425.
• </c> brings us to this bill, House File 3425. brings us to this bill, House File 3425.
• </c> So this house file 3425 is not charity. So this house file 3425 is not charity.
• </c><01:23:33.679><c> 1385,</c> is bill number three, House File 1385, is bill number three, House File
• Um and thanks one is filed against them.

Bills: HF3425 , HF3424 , HF1385

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Dreheim will be presenting Senate File 2434.
• Uh, Senator Dreheim will be presenting Senate File 2434.
• </c> uh, will be presenting Senate File 2434. uh, will be presenting Senate File 2434.
• </c> housing development fund as Senate file housing development fund as Senate file 2434<01:35:26.560
• Uh, with that,<01:37:58.159><c> Senate</c><01:37:58.480><c> File</c> that, Senate File that, Senate File

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Establishing the of Senate File 71.
• </c> call vote on Senate File 71? call vote on Senate File 71?
• </c><01:16:01.920><c> Senator</c><01:16:02.239><c> Craig,</c> File 71. Senator Craig, File 71.
• </c> File 85. File 85.
• </c> &gt;&gt; This is a roll call vote on Senate File &gt;&gt; This is a roll call vote on Senate File

Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:46.560><c> we'll</c><00:02:46.879><c> have</c><00:02:47.040><c> House</c><00:02:47.360><c> File
• I will renew my motion to refer<00:06:18.400><c> House</c><00:06:18.720><c> File</c><00:06:19.039><c>
• </c> >> You're on your way, sir. >> Up next, we have House File 3093.
• I want to compare House File 1234 from Chair Scott.
• compare House File 1234 from Chair<00:14:31.040><c> Scott.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to file something.
• The current outdated system requires these companies to submit complex property tax filings primarily
• These filings often exceed hundreds of pages and contain detail, financial, and asset information.
• And when they file their return, they don't want to hear from us again.
• Systems onto this platform, which was for audit, filing, enforcement, and collections.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational overview from the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in programs such as California Service Corps, College Corps, Youth Service Corps, Climate Action Corps, and the new men’s service challenge. Testimony emphasized enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes, outreach results, and efforts to reduce administrative costs. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the programs but has already made reductions to help address the budget deficit, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations on the informational item. Committee members raised questions about program scale, demographics, and effectiveness, especially for Climate Action Corps and whether the programs are duplicative of existing volunteer opportunities. One member criticized the programs as too fragmented and costly, while others asked for more data on who is being served and whether the programs increase actual participation in state services. GoServe said it would follow up with demographic and regional impact information. The committee also discussed the men’s service challenge, which GoServe said has formed partnerships with organizations such as YMCAs and Big Brothers Big Sisters and has already attracted more than 2,000 participants. The item was informational only. The committee then heard a BOE overview and a budget request to implement SB 293, which gives wildfire-affected families additional time to claim intergenerational Prop. 13 property tax transfers. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response, explaining that the work is urgent and tied to disaster relief in Los Angeles County, especially Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and Finance had no comment. Members asked how many cases might be affected and whether more funding would be needed later; BOE said the full number is not yet known and that future requests are possible. The committee also heard BOE’s IT modernization proposal for the state-assessed property tax system, a 30-year-old mainframe replacement costing $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28. BOE and Finance supported the project as necessary, while the LAO said it had no concerns but urged a high bar for new IT spending. Members generally supported modernization but cautioned about implementation risk. Finally, CDTFA presented an overview and two policy proposals. The department described administering 42 tax and fee programs, collecting $98 billion in FY 2024, and improving administrative efficiency. Members then discussed local sales tax tools and revenue-sharing agreements, with concerns raised about transparency, consultant-driven tax allocation disputes, and the impact on local communities. CDTFA and the LAO explained that local jurisdictions control how district sales tax revenues are spent and noted the Legislature could revisit the statutory cap on local add-on sales taxes. The committee then heard CDTFA’s proposal to treat all delivery network companies as marketplace facilitators so they must collect and remit sales tax on delivery-app orders. CDTFA said the change would resolve confusion, shift compliance from thousands of small restaurants to a few large platforms, and raise about $44 million annually. Several members questioned whether the proposal would effectively raise consumer costs and whether it would create a competitive advantage or disadvantage among delivery platforms. The item remained under discussion, with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to file something.
• These filings often exceed hundreds of pages and contain detail, financial, and asset information.
• And when they file their return, they don't want to hear from us again.
• And when they file their return, they don't want to hear from us again.
• Systems onto this platform, which was for audit, filing, enforcement, and collections.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They only have a year in which to perfect this claim; they have to file something.
• The current outdated system requires these companies to submit complex property tax filings primarily
• These filings often exceed hundreds of pages and contain detailed financial and asset information.
• And when they file their return, they don't want to hear from us again.
• Systems onto this platform, which was for audit, filing, enforcement, and collections.

Summary: The subcommittee first received an informational update on the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in College Corps, Youth Service Corps, and Climate Action Corps, along with outreach results from OCPSC and the Trusted Messenger Network. The Department of Finance said the programs remain a priority but noted prior budget reductions, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations. Committee members raised questions about program diversity, geographic reach, administrative costs, and whether the programs duplicate existing volunteer opportunities; one member criticized the programs as costly and duplicative, while another emphasized the value of volunteerism and asked about the men’s service challenge. The item was informational only. The committee then heard an overview of the Board of Equalization’s property tax responsibilities and its first budget proposals since the 2017 reorganization. BOE described its role in county assessment oversight, state-assessed property valuation, and related tax administration. Members asked about BOE’s interaction with counties, property tax reassessments, and local tax notices; BOE explained it mainly works with county assessors and handles technical property tax questions, while local special district charges are generally outside its scope. The committee also considered a BOE proposal to implement SB 293, which would give additional time for certain intergenerational property tax transfer claims after the 2025 wildfires. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response work, saying the change is urgent for wildfire-affected families, especially in Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and the item was held open. BOE also presented an information technology modernization proposal for its state-assessed property program, seeking $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28 to replace a 30-year-old mainframe system. BOE said the current system relies heavily on manual data entry and paper processes, creating inefficiencies, cybersecurity risks, and delays, while modernization would free staff for more audits and valuation studies. The LAO supported the need but urged a high bar for new IT projects; Finance said the project met the threshold of necessity. Members generally supported the upgrade but asked about audit gains, revenue impacts, and implementation risks, and the item was held open. Finally, CDTFA gave its department overview and then discussed a proposal to require all delivery network companies, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, to be treated as marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the current carve-out creates confusion for restaurants and small businesses because some DNCs collect and remit tax while others do not, and the change would improve compliance and shift reporting to larger platforms. Members debated whether the proposal amounts to a tax increase for consumers, with CDTFA and Finance arguing it is a consistency and compliance measure rather than a new tax, while others said it would likely raise consumer costs. The committee also discussed broader CDTFA issues, including local sales tax districts, revenue-sharing agreements, and the growth of special taxing jurisdictions. No votes were taken, and the agenda items were informational or held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and actually I I actually filed<00:37:17.520><c> this</c><00:37:17.839><c> bill</c><00:37:18.640>
• <c> uh</c><00:37:18.800><c> to</c><00:37:18.960><c> get</c><00:37:19.119><c> the</c> filed this bill
• uh to get the filed this bill uh to get the conversation<00:37:19.920><c> going</c><00:37:20.240><c>
• So, there'll be a lot of bills filed.
• :47.760><c> for</c><00:47:48.000><c> religious</c> file the sick leave for religious file the sick leave

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.