Video & Transcript Research : '100 percent disability'

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jan 27th, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 18th hearing of the 194th General Court and heard testimony on bills related to public employee retirement and creditable service. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including a three-minute limit for speakers and a February 3, 2026 deadline for written testimony. Committee members present included Chair Ryan, Vice Chair Higgins, Ranking Member DeCoste, Senator Keenan, Senator Montigny, and Chair Brady online. Michael Armano, a Lawrence Fire Department captain, testified in support of legislation sponsored by Senator Paviano to establish creditable service for eligible police officers and firefighters who were bypassed or delayed in hiring because of administrative error or other improper issues. He argued that affected candidates lose time, income, and retirement credit, and said the bill would allow them to buy back the service time they should have earned without affecting the rights or seniority of current employees. Senator Joan Lovely testified on House 4909, which would require the Salem Retirement Board to grant creditable service without member payment for prior reserve, permanent, intermittent, or call service for certain Salem police officers and firefighters who joined the retirement system on or before February 11, 2020. She said the measure has support from the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor, and the city council. No committee questions were raised, no votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 1st, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Harris County, and the city has just passed some disability... an ordinance where you cannot, you know
  • Nine out of 100 cities with the highest total number of evictions in the nation are in Texas.
  • Across the U.S., people with disabilities, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • based on disability, many individuals are unaware of their rights.
  • Would this apply to disabled and low-income indigent tenants?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/3/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. Disabilities Education Act or IDEA.
  • I'm also a disabled adult.
  • . identify as a person with a disability. identify as a person with a disability.
  • </c> based on disability. based on disability.
  • </c> can pay people with disabilities less. can pay people with disabilities less.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 28th, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We no longer get the, when we were contributing 9.75. percent 9.5 was going into my DROP account, which
  • So, in 2007, we kicked it up to 10.5%, and 100% of that 10.5 goes into the system.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a human right that people with disabilities have in our state—to be educated to the best of their
  • legislation would provide at least a little education for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Percent of the cases from Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio represent the remainder.
  • Ninety percent of our courts get the full amount, and we had two sitting district judges. ... that came
  • I believe at least 90 percent, if not all of them, would be subject.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • School districts remain open for admission to students with disabilities through the end of the school
  • The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, requires that when a child with a disability
  • By way of background, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, provides federal funding
  • to states to support the education of students with disabilities and requires states and school districts
  • , as a condition of... ...the education of students with disabilities and requires states and school
Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on House Bill 1662 and House Bill 1683, then moved into public hearing on House Bill 2534, House Bill 2557, and House Bill 2594. HB 1662, as a third substitute, would require several education-related boards and commissions to transition to independent administrative services and operational independence, with OSPI providing transition support through the 2027 fiscal year. Members and the prime sponsor emphasized agency independence and better use of funds; the committee voted 19-0 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. HB 1683 would set minimum numbers of school directors elected by director district for certain school districts, with the substitute changing enrollment thresholds and effective dates. Supporters said it would improve representation for parents and students, while opponents argued it would impose an unfunded mandate and micromanage local districts. The committee approved the substitute bill 11-8, also with a do pass recommendation. During public hearing, HB 2534 drew broad support from school officials, military family advocates, and education groups. The bill would expand enrollment flexibility for military-connected students, allow pre-arrival enrollment, extend proof-of-residency timelines, and require quicker handling of IEP and Section 504 transfers; several witnesses supported the goal but asked for a technical amendment to avoid shortening evaluation timelines. HB 2557 would require school districts to provide parents or guardians a copy of special education evaluation reports five school days before eligibility meetings; supporters said this would help families prepare, while school psychologists and some district staff warned it could compress already tight evaluation timelines and delay services. HB 2594 would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections into state law, assign related duties to OSPI and districts, and require periodic state reporting; it received strong support from advocates, school staff, and the prime sponsor, who said it would strengthen stability, accountability, and access for homeless students. The committee adjourned after public testimony, noting the bills could be eligible for executive action the following week.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 27th, 2026

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Laura Lee Minutelo, for Disability Rights of Florida. Thank you.
  • . ...is a step in the right direction for people with disabilities.
  • is no change in their income or their job or their disability.
  • Robert Astellos: Director, Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
  • Valerie Breen, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, waving in support.
Bills: S1002, S1016, S1030, S1594, S1630
Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's market, 80 percent, and 60 percent, and you will see that should you choose to visit those sites
  • I've been on disability since 2017.
  • I spent some time in the very beginning of being disabled.
  • No ma'am, I'm not advised. 69.5 percent. Harker Heights 64 percent.
  • Denton 71.3 percent, Elgin 75.3, Lockhart 68 percent. Bastrop 69.7 percent, Dallas 66.8.
Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 2nd, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nationally, physical assaults increased 21 percent, vandalism surged 20 percent.
  • Campus anti-Semitism spiked 84 percent.
  • As an Arab, I am 100% Semitic, as are most Arabs.
  • I am 100% Jewish as far back as I can remember. I practice all the holidays.
  • I think some reports say one and a half or more percent of the population are.
Summary: The committee heard several bills and confirmations, with most measures reported favorably. Senate Bill 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, codifying the medical definition of heart disease and allowing transferring law enforcement officers to rely on a prior physical if a new agency does not provide one. Support was waived in by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 526, as amended by a delete-all amendment, addressed commercial construction contracts, permit standards, fee reductions when private providers are used, floodproofing, product approval categories, and adoption of certain electrical code standards; it drew support from several construction and business groups and one opposing appearance, then was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1192 created a pilot program for callback queues at the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families to reduce hold times for callers seeking re-employment assistance and public benefits, and it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 1078 established transition procedures for a governor-elect, including agency liaisons, briefing materials, office space, and access to records; an amendment shifted IT support to the Department of Management Services, narrowed access to confidential records, and increased penalties for unauthorized disclosure, after which the bill was approved. Senate Bill 7022 extended a public records exemption for classroom examinations and assessment instruments through 2031 and expanded coverage to school district boards and public schools; it was also reported favorably. Senate Bill 862, as amended, set a $60,000 salary goal by 2030 for state correctional officers, probation officers, and institutional security specialists, with annual raises subject to appropriations; members and witnesses emphasized recruitment, retention, and safety, and the bill passed. Senate Bill 1250 removed the requirement that the Commission on Human Relations use registered mail for certain notices under the Florida Civil Rights Act, allowing less expensive notice methods, and it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1698 allowed certain employers to post required workplace notices electronically instead of physically, and it passed without opposition. The committee also recommended confirmation of 10 appointees to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the State Retirement Commission. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1072, which created an anti-Semitism task force within the Department of Legal Affairs to review anti-Semitism in Florida, improve community relations, advise on law enforcement training, assess digital media literacy efforts, evaluate hate crime statutes, and recommend policy changes. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address a growing problem and noted that Florida already uses the Holocaust Remembrance definition of anti-Semitism in statute. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it could chill protected speech, especially criticism of Israel, and could be used selectively against students, activists, Muslims, Arabs, and Jewish anti-Zionists; several also said existing hate-crime and civil-rights laws were sufficient and that the task force should include protections against Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate. One member raised concerns about the constitutionality of creating such task forces in light of prior actions by the Attorney General. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote with Senator Bracey Davis voting yes along with the majority. Senate Bill 1642, the Freedom in the Workplace Act, was also heard and drew significant questioning. The bill would bar public employers and contractors from requiring pronoun use, certain gender-identity-related training, or non-binary sex options on forms, and would protect employees and contractors from adverse action based on religious, moral, conscience-based, or biology-based beliefs. Senator Polsky questioned whether the bill could interfere with anti-harassment training and workplace discipline, while the sponsor said the measure was meant to prevent government coercion and extend protections similar to those in school settings. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of this bill.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 30th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Labor & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • A person who commits an infraction of plumber certification must be assessed a minimum penalty of $100
  • . ...authorize continued treatment for, and I put, a permanent partial disability.
  • It's actually permanent total disability when the treatment is deemed necessary.
  • It modifies the percentage of health care benefits included in a worker's monthly benefit to 100% of
  • A 2023 study found that between 11 and 24 percent of workers in Washington may be misclassified as independent
Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony and took executive action on several labor, employment, workers’ compensation, and construction-related bills. Early in the meeting, the committee heard Senate Bill 6158 on factory-built housing and commercial structures, which would direct L&I to consider additional national consensus standards and allow approved qualified inspection agencies to conduct inspections. The sponsor said the bill is intended to make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, especially for units built outside Washington. L&I testified in support with a requested effective date of January 1, 2027 and noted an agreed amendment with utilities. The committee later returned to the bill after executive session, but no final action was taken in the portion provided before the transcript shifted to other business. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6197 on plumbing contractor requirements, which would separate repeat-violation penalties for residential and nonresidential plumbing work and allow suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential work. Supporters, including mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a commercial plumber, said repeat violators treat fines as a cost of doing business and that stronger enforcement is needed to protect safety and fair competition. Opponents, including contractor associations and several plumbing contractors, argued the bill is too punitive, does not adequately distinguish between construction and service plumbing, and could harm legitimate businesses; L&I said it needed an effective date of January 1, 2027 if the bill passed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6302 on misclassification in the finishing trades on public works projects, which would limit the use of independent contractors on covered finishing work. Labor groups supported it as a response to worker misclassification and lost wages and benefits, while contractor groups opposed it as a de facto ban on independent contractors that would raise costs and reduce flexibility, especially for small and rural businesses. In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5437 on noncompetition covenants and advanced it to Rules, with some Republican opposition. It also advanced Senate Bill 6117 on PERC jurisdiction over labor relations if federal coverage changes, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed the bill further. Senate Bill 5852 on immigrant worker protections advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847 on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment also advanced after the committee rejected amendments to remove penalty provisions and to add claims manager positions, then adopted the latter amendment and sent the bill to Ways and Means. Senate Bill 6067 on workers’ compensation health care benefits advanced to Ways and Means, while Senate Bills 6152 and 6136 advanced to Rules. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard testimony on SB 6302, with the sponsor saying the bill is meant to address misclassification in a narrow set of finishing trades and that he is open to further discussion and amendments.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> the last biennium, DHS received 100 the last biennium, DHS received 100 million<00:42:08.520><c>
  • 100</c><00:42:09.120><c> million</c><00:42:09.680><c> 100.75</c> million 100 million 100.75 million
  • services providers across of disability services providers across the<01:26:49.800><c> state.
  • Olson, the disability advocate for the state of Minnesota.
  • Olson, the disability advocate for the state of Minnesota.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/02/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Military Affairs and Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • that is rated as 100% by the U.S.
  • So the property taxes, and what it's going to do is it qualifies for zero property tax for those 100%
  • disabled veterans, low incomes, and it's for primary residency.
  • Question: so this applies to each spouse fully 100%? Correct. Yes, ma'am.
  • It also states that the date of when a veteran with 100% service disability can apply starts January
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Transportation Mar 20th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill proposes to address the growing parking needs of individuals with disabilities in the state
  • of Texas, with a focus on disabled veterans and people with mobility impairments.
  • The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, and Texas Demographic Center to conduct a comprehensive
  • last study and Texas population has grown by over 3 million, partly due to an increased number of disabled
  • personally let you know this bill was brought to me, uh, by a continued movement from some of our disabled
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Banking, Financial Services and Pensions REVISED: HB1182 - Removed Feb 17th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:
  • It applies to financial institutions with over $100 billion in assets, so really just the biggest banks
  • I mean, I'd have to 100. Not in this one, to my knowledge.
  • Okay. 100%. Yes. Again, this is an optional situation. Okay, 100%. Yes, sir.
  • And for amortizing, for HOPERS, you effectively wouldn't have to put anything because it's over 100%
  • And judicial is 100% funded. ...$665,000, OLERS is $156,000, and judicial is 100% funded already.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Banking, Financial Services and Pensions REVISED: HB1182 - Removed Feb 17th, 2026

Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:
  • It applies to financial institutions with over $100 billion in assets, so really just the biggest banks
  • So, again, this is an optional situation. 100%. Yes, sir. We may have another question up here.
  • And for amortizing, for OPERS, you effectively wouldn't have to put anything because it's over 100% funded
  • OLERS is $156,000, and Judicial's 100% funded already.
  • According to the presentation that was there, the quicker that they get to 100%, the quicker that that
Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee heard a series of retirement, banking, and school finance bills after announcing that several measures would be laid over or sent back to Rules and that the committee would recess briefly because of quorum and scheduling conflicts. The chair also explained the committee’s OPLA/safe-harbor process for pension bills and noted that many of the measures would still need oversight and floor consideration. Among the bills advanced were HB 1245, allowing certain DHS CLEET-commissioned agents to join the law enforcement retirement system; HB 4352, helping people refinance homes or businesses while protecting lenders; HB 4263, giving certain retired teachers who go to work for CareerTech a choice between TRS and OPERS; HB 1268, creating a five-year DROP option for EMTs and county sheriffs in OPERS; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision in the law enforcement retirement system for OHP recruitment and retention; HB 2116, expanding OLERS eligibility to certain Office of State Fire Marshal officers; HB 2206, allowing newly hired school resource officers into OLERS; HB 3625, expanding school district investment options; HB 1889, providing a catch-up COLA for older police and fire retirees; and HB 1784, requiring TRS’s assumed rate of return not fall below its past 20-year annualized return. HB 3172, the ā€œFair Banking Act,ā€ would restrict adverse actions by very large financial institutions based on lawful economic activity and require explanations on request; members asked whether it would affect Oklahoma banks and whether it mirrored a presidential executive order. HB 2193 proposed a COLA for state retirement systems with caps on eligible benefits and salaries, and members raised concerns about differing actuarial estimates and the need for more work before oversight. Most bills were reported out by committee votes ranging from 8-0 to 4-3. The chair and members repeatedly noted that several measures, especially the pension bills, would need further work with actuaries and oversight committees. The meeting ended with a brief acknowledgment of committee staff and support personnel before adjournment.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

State Government & Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • serving the developmental disabilities community.
  • Belief that people with disabilities deserve dignity and care and remembrance.
  • people and disability rights.
  • Destroying them is data erasure and erasure of over 7,000 disabled people's lives.
  • , through the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disability.
Bills: SCR8406, SB5892, SB5863
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:20:32.960><c> to</c> assists motans with disabilities to assists motans with disabilities to
  • </c> these programs both the uh disability these programs both the uh disability determination<00:45:
  • My question, I want to talk a little bit about disability determination because that is 100% federally
  • determination because um that disability determination because um that is<00:47:15.040><c> 100%</c><
  • <01:15:03.239><c> disability</c><01:15:03.920><c> benefits</c><01:15:04.679><c> in</c> disability disability
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:58:09.440><c> are</c> and developmental dis disabilities are and developmental dis disabilities
  • </c><00:58:56.079><c> services</c> with the director of disability services with the director of disability
  • So, thank you for your time. disabilities by improving our system and disabilities by improving our system
  • I lead our aging and disability County.
  • Our community people with disabilities.