Transcript Highlights:

• And what really breaks my heart is the effect on the state blind pension fund of $428,000, to the state
• House Bill 2276, it's an effect of $52 million annually on local government, affecting the blind pension
• HB 2306, $81 million to the local government, $546,000 loss to the state pension fund.
• He added that the blind pension fund was excluded, and although he thought it could probably be included
• , he did not want to risk it because the state blind pension fund is in the Constitution.

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted committee substitutes and voted do pass on House Bills 383, 2940, and 1869 by unanimous roll-call votes. The chair then moved to public hearings and announced shortened testimony times because of the late hour. A large portion of the hearing focused on several nearly identical proposals to provide property tax relief to disabled veterans and, in some versions, surviving spouses. Representatives Jobe, Crosley, Bolerking, Schmidt, and Jones described different approaches: tiered exemptions based on VA disability ratings, homestead-based exemptions, county opt-in or opt-out provisions, sunsets, and in some bills relief tied to assessed value or personal property/vehicle taxes. Committee members raised questions about acreage limits, transfer of benefits to new residences, remarriage of surviving spouses, annual recertification, and whether counties should have discretion. Several witnesses in favor, including veterans and veterans’ advocates, urged broader eligibility, especially for 100% permanent and total veterans and those with individual unemployability, and argued the benefit would help veterans remain in Missouri. A public advocate opposed the bills on fiscal grounds, citing large projected costs to local governments, school districts, and state funds. The committee also heard testimony from veterans and advocates on the importance of recognizing spouses and families, and on the need to avoid burdensome county administration. Representative Schmidt presented two related bills, one offering a percentage-based property tax discount and another creating a homestead tax credit with county participation and a market-value cap; members discussed combining the measures and revising sunset and spouse language. Representative Jones presented bills extending relief to 100% disabled veterans and to personal property/vehicles, emphasizing that counties could opt in and that the credit should not shift costs to other taxpayers. The hearing ended before the final witness finished, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what really breaks my heart is the effect on the state blind pension fund of $428,000, to the state
• House Bill 2276, it's an effect of $52 million annually on local government, affecting the blind pension
• HB 2306, $81 million to the local government, $546,000 loss to the state pension fund.
• So with that, I think I've covered all the heavy-hitting parts of this, excluded the blind pension fund
• probably include that with the tax credit, but I didn't want to risk that because the state blind pension

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• of the nursing homes, get rid of the apartment buildings, and get rid of the mention of the blind pension
• The blind pension fund is not now, but it's coming. Right.
• this amendment is, is it's that part, it's removing that part of the bill that has to do with blind pension
• And I would just remind you all, too, that that language in this bill that references the blind pension
• Murphy and the blind pension fund.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Paying down the ARC fund of the pension for years, that was a first question out of a rating agency's
• You know, several changes have been made to pension systems over the last, I remember back as far as
• </c> changes have been made to uh pension changes have been made to uh pension systems<01:02:46.000><
• And again, you know, paying down pension, you know, getting it stabilized—it was a juggernaut.
• It was just when you started, that was the first question: how you going to pay your pension?

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts already has an exclusion protocol in place.
• Only 6% of that has an exclusion protocol in place.
• This feels exclusive.
• It is using fear to justify exclusion even when no outbreak exists.
• This is not inclusion; it's exclusion.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Investments and Pensions Oversight Committee, and today is Wednesday, August 13th.
• We talk about pensions.
• Our pension funds aren't managed by the Investment Bank Council. That's a true statement.
• We do not manage any of the pension funds.
• We have far less liquidity needs than a pension fund does.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Medal of Honor special pension is intended to ra...
• </c><06:04:00.160><c> for</c> spouses get an increased pension for spouses get an increased pension for
• passed the Medal of Honor Pension Act.
• passed the Medal of Honor Pension Act.
• passed the Medal of Honor Pension Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide a pension at no additional cost.
• Now, and that's with health insurance and pension and all that good stuff.
• We provide a pension at no additional cost.
• Now, and that's with health insurance and pension and all that good stuff.
• Now, and that's with health insurance and pension and all that good stuff.

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Results in pension funding that is skyrocketing. Results in return to raises for state employees.
• Results in pension funding that is skyrocketing. Results in return to raises for state employees.
• Inside of the Kentucky Permanent Pension... in fiscal 27 and $20 million in fiscal in fiscal 27 and $20
• :08.360><c> the</c><00:30:08.440><c> Kentucky</c><00:30:08.840><c> Permanent</c><00:30:09.160><c> Pension
• that same money, but in our budget, we spend $80 million of that $350 here in the Kentucky Public Pension

Transcript Highlights:

• It's using a multi-billion dollar deficit as cover to raid pension funds and savings, rather than...
• ...to raid pension funds and savings, rather than rein in spending.
• It's doing so while we're raiding pensions. This money was promised as off limits.
• We're going to raid a pension, which still has over 6,000 annuitants, which has never been done, by the
• We raid a pension.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the pensions agreement.
• The House feels especially good about the pensions number because there is a target in both the first
• One is the pensions<00:23:01.679><c> agreement.
• Uh the house feels pensions agreement.
• </c> especially good about uh the pensions especially good about uh the pensions number<00:23:05.679>

Transcript Highlights:

• by Perez of Harris relating to the financial crimes intelligence center refer to the committee on pensions
• retirement system of Texas as law enforcement or custodial office services referred to the committee on pensions
• offense of the fraudulent use of possession of credit card or debt information in the Committee of Pension
• referred to the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sadly, there's such a sex pension in Florida that you, your children, and grandchildren are only one
• It preserves final permitting decisions, approvals, and denials exclusively for local governments.
• While S.J.R. 1104 claims to protect all expressive expressions, in practice, it almost exclusively benefits
• Public funds could not be used on that event if it's only for a particular group to the exclusion of
• Inclusion isn't scary; exclusion is. Inclusion. Inclusion isn't dangerous; exclusion is.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the last two years the Comptroller has finally acknowledged, and this has been built into the pension
• So the last two years the Comptroller has finally acknowledged and this has been built into the pension
• And I mentioned the salary needs, pension costs, and health insurance has gone up quite a bit.

Committee: Senate Social Services

Summary: The Social Services Committee met for its first meeting of the session, with Chair Senator Roxanne Persaud noting a quorum and reviewing the committee’s prior-year activity. She said the committee handled 87 referred bills in 2025, reported 31, passed 25 committee bills in the Senate, and saw five bills pass both houses, with two signed and three vetoed. She also highlighted stakeholder workshops and hearings on rental assistance, youth employment, and human trafficking in the transportation sector, and said the annual report would be posted soon. The committee then heard from Paul Brady of the New York Public Welfare Association and Dave Lucas of the New York State Association of Counties. They focused on federal and state budget pressures, including the HHS withholding letter, TANF, child care, Social Services Block Grant funding, and the implications of HR1 for SNAP and Medicaid work requirements. They warned about staffing shortages, county budget strain, and the need for more time, training, and technology to implement new requirements. Both also emphasized housing instability, supporting rental assistance and shelter-related programs, and Brady urged attention to shelter allowances and safety-net cost sharing. The committee reported several bills to Finance: S.180B to increase enhanced residential care eligibility amounts; S.182 to raise the federal poverty level threshold for a one-time income disregard after job entry; S.184 to establish a full-year youth and young adult employment immersion program, with members questioning how it would be funded; S.1465 to implement an electronic benefit transfer system, which members strongly supported as a fraud-prevention measure; S.3787 to eliminate rent for homeless shelters; and S.7730 to authorize reimbursement for shelters housing a single individual in a double-occupancy room. The committee also advanced S.8570, creating a Fiscal Cliff Task Force to study public assistance program funding shortfalls, despite discussion of prior gubernatorial vetoes of similar measures. All bills were reported, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Pensions will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Hovis.
• This Committee on Pensions is now adjourned.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions was called to order, a roll was taken, and a quorum was present. The committee then went into executive session. In executive session, members considered House Bill 3479. The chair described it as a Kansas City bill making a one-word correction to fix an error from the previous year. A motion was made to recommend the bill do pass, with no discussion offered. The committee voted on the motion and approved House Bill 3479 by a vote of 12 ayes and 0 noes. After the vote, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Pensions will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Chairman Hovis.
• This Committee on Pensions is now adjourned.

Committees: House Pensions , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pension bill that has been put together. I'll go real quick.
• With an actuarial benefit, you've got to think about it: if you're overpaid, if your pension payment
• But from a pension perspective, right, I think your amendment makes it fundamentally more fair than the
• This is standard practice, as I understand the pension world.
• “I had the pleasure of being the ranking member of the Pensions Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 33 by Representative Wiley: Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; back deferred retirement option
• House Bill 33 by Representative Wiley: Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; back deferred retirement option
• House Bill 34 by Representative Wiley: Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; eligibility of accrued, actuarially
• House Bill 35 by Representative Wiley: Title 11, Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; funding, deposit accounts
• House Bill 48 by Representative Bacala: Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; membership in the system, contributions

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:

• Let’s do one of my pension bills: House Bill 2502. Mr.
• So I’ve worked on or in pension systems for 23 years now since graduating from college.
• And when I come to a certain retirement age, the way that ASRS calculates their pension for a lot of
• “The way that ASRS calculates their pension for a lot of members is your highest 36 months within your
• If I wanted to avoid my pension being reduced because I earned a higher salary when I was working in

Bills: HB2211 , HB2229 , HB2389 , HB2403 , HB2445 , HB2502 , HB2620 , HB2813 , HB2872 , HB2889 , HB2960 , HB4028 , HCR2007

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• The report of the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board submitting its 2024 divestment from...
• The report of the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board submitting its 2024 divestment from Iran

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then briefly recessed while waiting for another party. During the session, the Clerk presented a report from the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board on its 2024 divestment from Iran, Russia, Sudan, and certain other companies; the report was ordered printed in the Senate Journal and placed on file. A resolution offered by Ms. Creem recognizing the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and International Holocaust Remembrance Day was taken up and adopted by voice vote. No debate or opposition was recorded. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and subsequently agreed to adjourn until Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The chamber adjourned accordingly.