Transcript Highlights:

• And as we say in the pension world, assuming all assumptions are met, well, they never are.
• And as we say in the pension world, assuming all assumptions are met, well, they never are.
• And for Section 4.005, is it the chair's intention to get rid of legislative plates?
• So, and does that bring the pension fund down to roughly, like we're moving...
• I mean, a blind pension, if you're going to sweep it per constitutional law...

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion of the chair’s House budget substitute, especially House Bill 2 for elementary and secondary education and House Bill 3 for higher education. The chair said the operating budget leaves roughly $300 million in reserve, explained several cuts and restorations, and described proposed changes to child care, including cutting enhancement payments and keeping attendance-based rather than enrollment-based subsidy payments. Representative Fogle objected to the child care cuts and the proposed language limiting the department’s move to prospective payment and enrollment-based reimbursement; State Budget Director Dan Hogg testified that the governor’s office still intended to move to payment on enrollment in May if the budget language did not block it, while prospective payment remained under review because of federal funding concerns. The chair also explained a restriction on Parents as Teachers services for children already in public pre-K, and members debated whether that would reduce duplication or improperly limit services. The chair further proposed a new competitive Title I innovation grant program funded by a reallocation of some Title I dollars, with questions raised about what services would be reduced to offset it. The bulk of the meeting focused on a major higher education funding overhaul in House Bill 3. The chair and vice chair proposed replacing the current base-plus model with an FTE-based formula that would distribute the same overall state funding according to student credit hours, with community colleges funded on a 12-hour FTE, four-year undergraduate students on a 15-hour FTE, and graduate enrollment discussed as a separate issue. They said the goal was to make funding follow students rather than institutions and to reduce long-standing disparities between schools. Several members supported the idea as overdue and more transparent, while others warned it was being done too quickly and could harm institutions with high-cost programs, research missions, or smaller enrollments. Concerns were raised about possible closures, accreditation problems, and unintended effects on workforce programs such as nursing, engineering, and technical training. The chair and vice chair said there was no intent to force consolidation, but acknowledged that some institutions would gain and others would lose under the new model. Members also questioned how the formula would treat research and doctoral funding, especially at the University of Missouri, and whether graduate programs were properly counted. The chair said some special-purpose lines were retained, but a large portion of MU’s research and doctoral funding was folded into the broader pool and redistributed through the FTE model. Several members asked for clarification on whether graduate hours were counted at nine credits, and the chair said he was not certain and would seek follow-up from staff or the department. Community college representatives were discussed as having unanimously opposed the recommendation, and the chair noted that the institutions were briefed only shortly before the hearing. No votes were taken during the exchange, and the committee appeared to be gathering testimony and concerns ahead of markup and future action on the budget bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> before you is a piece of legislation before you is a piece of legislation that<00:09:09.400><c>
• </c><00:28:40.400><c> So,</c><00:28:41.240><c> I</c> giving them in this legislation.
• So, I giving them in this legislation.
• legislation in any way prevent legislation in any way prevent this<00:29:17.600><c> board</c><00:29:18.080
• with this legislation in this regard.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about pensions.
• You know, with our legislative part.
• I'm also a staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service.
• 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:

• This legislation increased the Medal of Honor recipients' special pension from $600 per month to $1,000
• My legislation would raise the Medal of Honor special pension to roughly $5,600 per month, or $67,500
• This legislation increased the Medal of Honor recipients' special pension from $600 per month to $1,000
• My legislation would raise the Medal of Honor special pension to roughly $5,600 per month, or $67,500
• My legislation would raise the Medal of Honor special pension to roughly $5,600 per month, or $67,500

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agreements by passing such legislation agreements by passing such legislation as<00:09:34.800><c
• </c> the legislative history here. the legislative history here.
• </c><00:56:47.520><c> about</c> ago about some legislation about ago about some legislation about allowing
• was um legislation filed in 2015,<01:08:08.480><c> legislation</c><01:08:08.960><c> filed</c><01:08:
• Um but this um legislation you all.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50 Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08 Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42 Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00 Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44 Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all

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:

• 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.
• Now, what this amendment is, is it's removing that part of the bill that has to do with blind pension
• is That language in this bill that references the blind pension is moot if I don't file the bill to
• Murphy and the Blind Pension Fund.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met to consider a large committee substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, along with related amendments. Early discussion focused on the substitute’s changes, including removal of provisions dealing with nursing homes, apartment buildings, and the blind pension fund, plus a separate amendment to clean up ballot-language requirements so ballot measures would use neutral alphanumeric labels rather than descriptive titles. Members debated whether the labeling language was clear enough and whether clerks or the taxing entities would be responsible for assigning ballot names; the committee ultimately adopted the ballot-language amendment and the blind pension amendment, then rolled them into a new substitute. The committee then considered a more controversial amendment that would have required tax measures to receive affirmative support from 25% of registered voters and would have shifted certain elections to the November general election. Members raised concerns about public vetting, the practicality of the 25% threshold, possible strategic behavior, and whether the proposal would actually increase turnout or instead become a negotiating point. After extended debate, the sponsor withdrew that amendment, leaving the committee substitute with the ballot-language and blind-pension changes only. The committee also took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 148 and 111. An amendment was adopted to address Kansas City Public Schools’ concerns by bringing its levy treatment under Hancock-style rules and clarifying debt levy treatment. Members discussed the impact on school district financing and taxpayer bills, but the substitute and the HJR package were both reported do pass. The committee then reconsidered and re-voted House Bills 2780 and 2668 after a procedural reset, again adopting the substitute and reporting the bill do pass by a 13-3 vote. The meeting adjourned after the committee thanked members for their work and noted further action would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> understanding of these legislative understanding of these legislative leaders<00:02:46.560><c> that
• </c> this case, we have 201 legislators this case, we have 201 legislators separated<00:02:52.160><c>
• One is the pensions agreement.
• </c> especially good about uh the pensions especially good about uh the pensions number<00:23:05.679>
• ><00:28:59.279><c> you</c> have legislative leaders, can you have legislative leaders, can you address

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• accounts allow you to save and invest for the future while maintaining access to VA benefits, VA pension
• VA pension benefits, and other means-tested programs. You can own and control your account.
• So we’re finding out with veterans the way it’s going to help them the most is, for example, with pension
• , they do look at your assets when you have a pension.
• “If you’re applying for your pension and you have too much, you know, to be considered an asset, you

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 2771. Members adopted a House Committee amendment, then rolled it into a new substitute combining HB 2771 with HB 1993. The House Committee substitute for HB 2771 and HB 1993 was then voted do pass by a roll call of 21 ayes and 0 nos. The committee also announced that another bill on the agenda would be held over until the following week at the request of Representative Roberts, who is working with the Missouri Veterans Commission and its director. No action was taken on that measure during this meeting. The remainder of the meeting was a presentation on the MoABLE program by State Treasurer Vivek Malik and coordinator Yvonne Riedman. They explained that, under a federal change effective January 1, 2026, eligibility now extends to people whose disability began before age 46 rather than 26. They said the program helps disabled Missourians, including veterans, save and invest without affecting certain means-tested benefits, and that account funds can be used for qualified expenses such as housing, health care, education, transportation, and assistive technology. Committee members asked about veteran eligibility, asset limits, work status, account balances, and outreach efforts; Malik said enrollment has grown from under 2,000 to nearly 6,000 and that the office is promoting the program through veteran organizations and upcoming public service announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, this is the legislative branch budget.
• President, this is the legislative branch budget.
• And I encourage the adoption of the passage of this legislation.
• And I encourage the adoption of the passage of this legislation.
• </c><00:52:42.240><c> Research</c> people of the Legislative Research people of the Legislative Research

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It actually impacts most of our legislative districts, Mr. Chair.
• So I'd urge a yes vote on behalf of the Fourth Legislative District.
• We raid a pension.
• We raid a pension.
• We raid a pension.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a board member on the Community of Minnesota Resorters, and I run the legislative end of it, so I
• end of it so I hear from the legislative end of it so I hear from a<00:17:22.039><c> lot</c><00:17:22.160
• Section eight is the subtraction for Foreign Service pension retirement pay.
• Section eight is the subtraction for Foreign Service pension retirement pay.
• Section eight is the subtraction for Foreign Service pension retirement pay.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray for this legislature and the things that they will legislate. to discharge the duties with honor
• And so we've become very good friends. an amazing legislator.
• Members, it is my honor today to recognize Allen Legislative Day.
• referred to the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services.
• HB 299 by Meza relating to a study of the Legislative Budget Board.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Employee Retirement System, a text for the Committee on Pension Investments and Financial
• services under certain group benefit plans for governmental employees and retirees the committee on pensions
• contributions for employed retirees of the teacher retirement system at Texas for the committee on pension
• the issuance of general obligation bonds by a political subdivision, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• of maintaining an operating public school system and prohibiting the comptroller from certifying legislation

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• accounts allow you to save and invest for the future while maintaining access to VA benefits, VA pension
• VA pension benefits, and other means-tested programs. You can own and control your account.
• So we’re finding out with veterans the way it’s going to help them the most is, for example, with pension
• They do look at your assets when you have a pension.
• So if you’re applying for your pension and you have too much, you know, to be considered an asset, you

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed some major legislation along those lines, including the mask ban, the protection of private
• There's an honest difference of opinion among legislators about what is the best way to keep kids safe
• The House bill that calls for transferring less one pension funding to the CCA account, does that have
• year there were pretty divergent ideas about how to handle this dramatic overfunding of the left one pension
• The House bill that calls for transferring less one pension funding to the CCA account, does that have

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch. A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits. The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 8 by Representative Bacala: Title 11, legislative staff attendants at executive sessions of
• House Bill 33 by Representative Wiley: Sheriff's Pension Relief Fund; back deferred retirement option
• Myself and other legislators have announced our agenda by the bills that we filed.
• Few legislative bodies throughout the state's Few legislative bodies throughout the state's history have
• Authority of legislators to attend public-private meetings of certain entities.

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:

• I want to thank my legislative assistant, Benjamin Murray.
• Currently, my legislative assistant is Stephanie Wilbers.
• But this, I think, would help this legislation through the process.
• That's why I filed legislation.
• This is standard practice, as I understand the pension world.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Legislative District 7, of course.
• I represent legislative district seven, of course.
• Representative Travers, I'm with Legislative District 12.
• Representative Travers, I'm with Legislative District 12.
• Let’s do one of my pension bills: House Bill 2502. Mr.

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

Committee: House Appropriations

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:

• ><c> that</c><00:20:18.000><c> finally</c> pushed through legislation that finally pushed through legislation
• Representative Carol legislate.
• </c> is inexpedient to legislate is inexpedient to legislate representative<01:22:49.120><c> Jerry</c
• Sen of is inexpedient to legislate.
• Voting stations will be open for 30 seconds. parents and legislators, rightly parents and legislators

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not see you in opposition to that legislation.
• The second way it impacts my workers is with the pension.
• We have 13,000 retirees depending on that pension.
• You take 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 members out of that pension, and that pension becomes insolvent very quickly
• In this bill, they didn't raise a pension issue.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.