Video & Transcript Research : 'benchmark tests'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So anything like policy development, benefit cliff modeling, cross-state benchmarking, engaging youth
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on Disability Employment approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new commission member Victoria Gill, and heard an opening quote on leadership before moving to presentations and planning. The main presentation was from Kristen Grip and Katie McCarthy of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Disability Alliance employee-led group, which described its mission to build an inclusive workplace through education, community-building, and advocacy. They discussed monthly disability-awareness programming, intersectional events, accommodation and accessibility efforts, internal ableism, universal design, and BCH’s recognition in the 2025 Disability Equality Index. They also described their own lived experience and emphasized that employees with disabilities should lead disability-related workplace efforts.
Committee members asked how to start a disability employee resource group and what external partnerships might help. The presenters said BCH’s HR diversity team helped launch the group over about a year, and members noted related resources, including a Work Without Limits guide and possible connections with Spalding Rehabilitation and other hospitals. The committee also discussed BCH’s continued support for disability inclusion work despite broader political pressure, and members praised the hospital’s efforts and offered to share additional contacts and resources.
The subcommittee then turned to possible collaboration with SEED, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, on Massachusetts as a model employer and benefit cliff analysis work. Members agreed SEED could help with policy framing, comparative data, stakeholder education, and youth disability employment efforts, and they approved inviting SEED to brief the subcommittee in January or February. The group also discussed possible links to CAPE-Youth, Commonwealth HR and DEI offices, and a future partnership with the Office of the Veterans Advocate. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Banking and Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- By setting these benchmarks, House Bill 3173 ensures that youth workforce development efforts are continuously
Keywords:
healthcare, Medicare, insurance, financial assistance, families, wage theft, employers, penalties, Texas Workforce Commission, employee rights, employer database, worker rights, death investigation, emergency services, medical benefits, exposure claims, public safety, workforce development, TWC, youth workforce
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- As shown in the Minnesota Chamber Foundation's 2026 Business Benchmark Report, our state is already lagging
- Minnesota Chamber Foundation's<00:31:43.200>
2026 <00:31:43.960>Business <00:31:44.400>Benchmark - Foundation's 2026 Business Benchmark Foundation's 2026 Business Benchmark Report,<00:31:45.440><
Keywords:
child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Joint House Higher Education Finance and Policy and Senate Higher Education Committee 3/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, benchmarking that, and so I think, you know, looking at are we doing things that are efficient
- ><01:50:16.679>
and <01:50:17.639>you <01:50:17.760>know <01:50:18.119>benchmarking - <01:50:18.920>
that to year and you know benchmarking that to year and you know benchmarking
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- hospitals based upon what is known as the ACR, the average commercial rate, which is what they are benchmarking
- 00:14:11.199>
what <00:14:11.440>what <00:14:11.560>were <00:14:11.720>benchmarking - <00:14:12.600>
of rate is what what were benchmarking of rate is what what were benchmarking
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 2/24/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Internally, since it's not spelled out in statute, you must have sort of benchmarks or thresholds where
- c><00:47:07.400>
have <00:47:08.000>sort <00:47:08.200>of <00:47:08.440>benchmarks - statute you must have sort of benchmarks statute you must have sort of benchmarks or<00:47:09.480
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/02/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- But this past several years have tested the growers' resilience.
- But these past several years have tested the growers' resilience.
- on and trying to more and more testing on and trying to bring<01:15:47.920>
bring <01:15:48.159 - And if it's a mini test for the mixer, hand and loaders, and that works, that's fine.
- If it's a mini test for the mixer-handler-loaders and that works, that's fine.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Commission to Study Costs of Special Education (10/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, those would be some rough benchmarks, but I think part of the—and this is where you may need someone
- Those would be some rough benchmarks, but I think part of the—and this is where you may need someone
- Um, if a child was previously in a district and they had special education testing done and they were
- 14:50.159>
um <01:14:50.239>special <01:14:50.560>education <01:14:51.199>testing - <01:14:51.760>
done had um special education testing done had um special education testing
Summary:
The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available.
The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts.
Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal within the language also had a 70% benchmark for all race and ethnicity groups.
- actually is one of the few in the nation that had that specific call for disaggregated data and set benchmarks
- sure that they were taking advantage of opportunities like WIC or SNAP or other supplemental means-tested
- 00:52:48.760>
means snap or other supplemental um means snap or other supplemental um means tested - benefits programs that they might tested benefits programs that they might be<00:52:50.720>
eligible
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-WLA-EIG, AEN-WLA-EDT, AEN-GVO, AEN DEFER, AEN, AEN-EDU Public Hearings 02-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- solar energy facility where they have been undertaking the, I guess, every vote take experiments testing
- with along with a experiments testing with along with a Hawaii<00:07:01.280>
agricultural <00: - I think our concern is moving up that benchmark from 2030 to 2028 at 30%.
- Also, it is extremely costly to do the testing um necessary to implement this.
- testing um necessary to implement this. testing um necessary to implement this.
Keywords:
workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation
Summary:
The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers.
The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG.
The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Oversight REVISED - HB3852 -Added Mar 5th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Government Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- If we're making or delegating authority to somebody who is using DEI as a benchmark or any of the EG
Bills:
HB1739, HB1784, HB1889, HB2116, HB2206, HB3625, HB2939, HB3028, HB3265, HB3313, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3420, HB3588, HB3748, HB3721, HB3852, HB4132, HB4263, HB4303, HB4311, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434
Keywords:
retirement, law enforcement, disability benefits, pension system, Oklahoma, education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, public retirement systems, pension, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, inflation adjustment, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, firefighters pension, police pension
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget REVISED: Time changed to 2:30 p.m. for Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Appropriations and Budget
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jul 15th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- In October, annual updates from DRS related to their pension administrative benchmarking report and general
Summary:
The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the June minutes and received a brief update from Assistant Attorney General Jesse Yoder, who had no litigation updates but offered to answer questions. Actuary Michael Harbour then previewed the September full committee meeting, which will include a report on the financial condition of the DRS-administered pension plans and the state actuary’s recommended economic assumptions. He also cautioned that any actuarial pricing done over the summer could change if assumptions are updated, and suggested taking votes on potential legislation later in the interim, possibly in November or December.
A discussion followed about the Left 1 benefit improvement and where the funding came from. Harbour said the benefit tied to SSB 5791 (2022) was paid from the Left 1 trust fund, while a separate Left 2 benefit improvement was in SHB 1701, and he agreed to double-check the issue with DRS after members raised conflicting information. Members then discussed the broader Left 1 study, including whether IRS approval is a key barrier and whether options are limited to merger or closure. Several members asked to hear from Ice Miller, which has been advising on the tax issues, and staff said the committee should receive a written response in the next couple of weeks and could have Ice Miller appear in October.
The committee reviewed and adjusted its interim work plan. September will include the actuarial presentations, a more detailed Left 1 study update, and a presentation on PERS and TERS Plan 1 COLAs, including a recap of the bill recommended this year and initial considerations for an ad hoc COLA. October is expected to include DRS administrative and performance updates, with November reserved for the State Investment Board update and a final Left 1 study update, and December may include an educational presentation on excess compensation. Members also requested a future briefing on the month-of-death benefit discussion. The September agenda was adopted, correspondence materials were noted, and the meeting adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband May 2nd, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- And so this change is simply to align state statute with that new federal benchmark.
Keywords:
broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 10th, 2025
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- By setting these benchmarks, House Bill 3173 ensures that youth workforce development efforts are continuously
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-TCA-EIG, TCA-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-05-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a late test, but actually one of the experts on the possibility of an Oahu sanctuary—would you
- but actually one else we had a late test but actually one of<00:16:34.880>
the <00:16:35.199>< - <00:27:28.279>
the Um, I guess our first test, the fire, we can get them back up. - So there's citrus quarantines when that and it doesn't have to have an active test.
- So there's citrus quarantines when that and it doesn't have to have an active test.
Summary:
The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations.
The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal is to reduce the amount of oversight if an enterprise is performing above certain benchmarks
- And obviously conversely if the CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing
- And obviously conversely if the CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing
- And obviously, conversely, if the CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing
- CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing, and they'll be subject to greater
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.
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:
- And one of the benchmarks we use is the number of years, based on all the actuarial projections, to get
Bills:
HB1784, HB1245, HB1268, HB2116, HB2193, HB2206, HB1739, HB1889, HB1904, HB3172, HB4225, HB4352, HB3625, HB4263
Keywords:
education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS