Transcript Highlights:

• questions about those, we have staff in the room to help with details, as well as with other revenue legislation
• It includes a pension rate policy as reflected in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5357, as amended.
• And then for the biennial, it assumes legislation that changes the index used for the COLA adjustment
• And then for the biennial, it assumes legislation that changes the index used for the COLA adjustment
• And here we are at the end of a very difficult legislative session with a product in hand.

Summary: The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs. The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development. A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky Public Pensions Authority, 105 KAR 1:001 and 1:440.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Kentucky<00:08:03.400><c> Public</c><00:08:03.760><c> Pensions</c><00:08:04.200><c> Authority
• ,</c><00:08:05.080><c> 105</c> &gt;&gt; Kentucky Public Pensions Authority, 105 &gt;&gt; Kentucky Public
• Pensions Authority, 105 KAR<00:08:06.560><c> 1:001</c> KAR 1:001 KAR 1:001 and<00:08:08.760><c> 1:440
• </c> Legislative Advisor to DMS. Legislative Advisor to DMS.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present, approved the minutes without objection, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations received staff-suggested amendments and were approved without objection, including fish and wildlife rules on fishing limits and deer hunting on local government property, veterinary board changes to responsible party and veterinary manager requirements, election procedures for safe-at-home voters, attorney general regulatory relief rules, emergency gasoline tax pricing, public pensions updates, controller fraud-prevention policies, physical therapy licensure and English proficiency standards, school nutrition and fee-waiver rules, public health conference procedures, and Medicaid waiver regulations. Several agencies briefly identified themselves and answered procedural questions, but most items drew no substantive opposition. The Board of Veterinary Examiners regulation included an agency amendment that removed a proposed limit on the number of facilities a veterinary manager could oversee. The Department of Education regulations updated fee waiver and meal program procedures, while the Department of Public Health regulation clarified notification and conference-request procedures. The Department of Revenue and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority items were largely technical or conforming changes, including a special-needs trust definition added for consistency with Senate Bill 85. The most extensive discussion involved the Department for Medicaid Services’ 1915C child waiver regulations. Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified in opposition to the waiver’s lack of participant-directed services, arguing that consumer-driven services such as respite and community living support are required and especially important in rural areas and for higher-acuity children. Cabinet representatives responded that the waiver is intended to provide wraparound services to keep children in homes and communities, that it has CMS approval, and that the program is limited to 100 slots with about 21 participants already enrolled. Members did not move a deficiency motion, and the chair indicated the regulations would continue through the process. The meeting adjourned after setting the next meeting for Tuesday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of them live on fixed incomes and rely on Social Security and pensions solely for their income.
• 04:24.720><c> social</c><00:04:25.040><c> security</c><00:04:25.400><c> and</c><00:04:25.600><c> pensions
• </c> relying on social security and pensions relying on social security and pensions solely<00:04:26.600

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I'd like to call Legislative Citation 24. Have it read by title only? Yes, sir.
• She hopes to learn more about the legislative process during her internship, and she loves to crochet
• The Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Pensions, and Finance will meet tomorrow at noon
• The Budget Reviews Subcommittee on personnel, public pensions, and finance will meet tomorrow at noon

Transcript Highlights:

• of private activity bonds for qualified residential rental projects, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• organization obtains for a consumer or assists a consumer in obtaining, referred to the Committee on Pensions
• constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to override a veto of the governor following a legislative
• Texas legislature, a statewide elected officer in an executive branch or state employee in the legislative

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...of Attorney General request legislation this session.
• The wage recovery work group was established under legislation in 2024, and under that legislation, L
• So thank you for the updates, and I look forward to legislation next year on this. Thank you.
• All right, thank you. ...due legislation next year on this. Thank you. All right, thank you.
• All right, thank you. due legislation next year on this. Thank you. All right, thank you.

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Summary: The committee heard a report from Labor and Industries on the Underground Economy Task Force in the construction industry. L&I said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, studied underreporting, worker misclassification, unpaid taxes and premiums, and other underground-economy activity. L&I described consensus recommendations including defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency information sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, giving L&I more authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalties and policies, and exploring ways to track cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus recommendations included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting a threshold for independent contractor use that would trigger review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation, preserving lawful cash payments, and protecting legitimate independent contractors and small businesses. L&I said the final report would be issued by December 31 and that the underground economy committee would be reconvened. The committee then heard the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage-complaint law and the work group’s consensus recommendations to let the department prioritize wage complaints strategically, aggregate related complaints, raise the minimum penalty for willful violations from $1,000 to $1,500 and use a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness, and create a wage recovery fund. Under the proposal, penalties would be deposited into a new fund account, and after the fund is sufficiently built up, limited early payments could be made to eligible low-income workers facing immediate hardship, with a five-year review built in. Business and labor representatives both supported the general framework, though business raised concern about safeguards to recover funds if a claim later proved invalid or fraudulent. The committee also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. L&I described Washington as a state apprenticeship agency with higher standards than the federal system, and said registered apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. L&I reported more than 15,500 active apprentices, 4,800 new registrations, 2,500 completions, and 206 active sponsors. Members asked about the difference between state and federal apprenticeship pathways, the role of program sponsors and training agents, and the objection process for new programs. L&I said objections do not stop approval but can delay recognition, and noted ongoing internal work to improve the process. The presentation also highlighted strong post-apprenticeship earnings and return on investment. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, the impacts of federal cuts to NIOSH, and ESD’s unemployment insurance and workforce systems. L&I and SHARP said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current respirator options are limited by remote conditions, communication needs, fit, and heat; no NIOSH-approved commercial respirator currently meets the relevant NFPA standard. L&I said Washington’s firefighter rules do not currently require respiratory protection for wildland firefighting. On NIOSH, the presenter warned that federal cuts and grant disruptions could reduce training, surveillance, firefighter cancer research, agricultural safety work, and exposure-assessment programs, including work relevant to Hanford and mining safety. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, federal funding uncertainty, and pressure on the trust fund, but also described technology and process changes that have reduced call-center bottlenecks and improved claim processing. ESD said a 90-day pilot that compresses phone hours has increased calls answered and work completed while improving timeliness of first payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone who attends every legislative session should plan and build. ...perspectives of older adults
• But we need to make sure that the legislation we are passing does that.
• So as legislation is moving on X, Y, or Z, this subcabinet is a resource that's providing us guidance
• The need for this legislation is clear for three reasons. One, people are struggling.
• Legislators may attempt to erase this reality by legislation, but this attempt will fail.

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

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:

• So we will begin with the Department of Finance and then we'll hear from the Legislative Analyst's Office
• Or it could potentially involve setting aside some funding to help cover future pension costs.
• Or it could potentially involve setting aside some funding to help cover future pension costs.
• about personnel costs, being pressured to increase salaries to keep up with inflation, health care, pensions
• If the Legislative Analyst were here, he would tell you this is your basic good-government fiscal hygiene

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held its first hearing of the year on Proposition 98, focusing on the Governor’s budget estimates for the three-year budget window, the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSA), and repayment of education deferrals. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee would rise by about $21.7 billion over the 2025 Budget Act, with increases in each year, full repayment of the existing settle-up obligation in 2024-25, a new $5.6 billion settle-up obligation proposed for 2025-26, and a higher guarantee in 2026-27. Finance also noted revised downward estimates for transitional kindergarten attendance and Los Angeles County property tax reimbursements, and said community colleges would be funded above the split because of enrollment growth. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized fiscal risk and volatility, warning that recent revenue gains are tied heavily to the stock market and tech sector and could reverse quickly. The LAO argued the Governor’s proposed $5.6 billion delay shifts risk into future years and recommended instead fully funding the current estimate, making a larger reserve deposit, considering advance payments or pension-related uses, and finding additional non-Prop 98 solutions to reduce the state’s structural deficit. On the reserve and deferral items, Finance described revised PSSA deposits and withdrawals that would leave about $4.1 billion in the reserve by 2026-27, and both Finance and the LAO supported paying off the remaining LCFF and SCFF deferrals as good fiscal practice. Committee members questioned the size of the settle-up amount, the degree of revenue volatility, the use of the reserve, and the ongoing K-12/community college split. Finance said the proposal is meant to avoid overappropriation if revenues fall, while the LAO said a buffer of roughly $3.5 billion would address typical forecasting risk. Public commenters, including school boards, county offices of education, teachers, and advocacy groups, largely opposed the $5.6 billion withholding or settle-up delay, calling it a manipulation of Prop. 98 and urging full funding and more stable revenue solutions. Several speakers also urged dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness. The hearing ended with no vote, and the chair announced that broader program discussions would occur in later hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversight to for to maintain legislative oversight to for to maintain their<00:13:39.279><c> power</
• of that legislation and what you're<00:14:09.759><c> allowed</c><00:14:10.120><c> to</c><00:14:10.680
• Christy Jano, the legislative chair for the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers,
• Christy Jano, the legislative chair for the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers,
• He had tried for VA benefits a number of years ago, but he had missed all his compensation and pension

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• "Foundation Formula Fund Switch, GR to blind pension fund.
• So let's start where I had on the first one, the blind pension fund.
• I mean, that's a lot of legislating through the budget as we look at that.
• Now, so that's all the legislative decisions we have at this time.
• And those should be things that we should be able to get as legislators.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had legislation prepared in past years to I've had legislation prepared in past years to try to
• I've run several pieces of legislation.
• legislative districts.
• Madam Speaker, the pension system, I have heard from law enforcement officers and other pensioners that
• Pension funds should be for pensions.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court, but we did Wayfair legislation in 2019.
• That was the purpose of the Wayfair legislation.
• I'm Representative Stacy Travers and Legislative District 12. Thank you for your testimony.
• Livingston, Representative Livingston, for yet again supporting and sponsoring another pension bill.
• And, you know, I'm very, very protective and cautious of any pension bills I run because I run a lot

Bills: HB2143 , HB2273 , HB2290 , HB2373 , HB2784 , HB2794 , HB4037

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: public safety, retirement system, investments, trust fund, board of trustees, financial report, income tax rebate, Pinal County, taxpayer eligibility, state revenue, financial assistance, transaction privilege tax, business location, tangible personal property, shared vehicle, sourcing, income tax, veterans, donations, tax refunds

Transcript Highlights:

• The current legislation has had two years to work, and it's fallen short, adding to builder costs and
• This no-cost legislation is a smart fix, adding additional options to promote construction of affordable
• This no-cost legislation is a smart fix to adding additional options to promote construction of affordable
• AB 1383, McKinner, public employee retirement benefits, do pass as amended to modify the pensionable
• AB 1383, McKinner, public employee retirement benefits, do pass as amended to modify the pensionable

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:57.040><c> in</c><00:34:57.160><c> the</c><00:34:57.240><c> future</c> pension in the future pension
• </c> chair I'm Trent dils legislative chair I'm Trent dils legislative director<00:42:27.160><c> dor<
• So we have two different types of grants: support our troops grants and legislative grants.
• Support our troops grants and legislative grants.
• Support our troops grants and legislative grants.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal legislation along with looking Federal legislation along with looking at<00:04:15.360><c> items
• about these impacts every legislators about these impacts every legislator<00:40:42.200><c> here</c>
• </c> credit legislation credit legislation first<01:21:25.639><c> it</c><01:21:25.800><c> renews</c><
• I look at 2730 as another fine piece of legislation, a bill.
• </c><01:36:54.280><c> a</c> at 2730 is another fine legislation a at 2730 is another fine legislation

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4282 amends the E-12 education appropriation that was enacted in the 2025 legislative session
• I'm to share with you a very pivotal piece of legislation, Minnesota Senate File 3593, that stands to
• So, we take the high five of somebody's income to establish their pension.
• </c> is because I've been in the pension is because I've been in the pension realm<01:03:56.080><c> is
• </c> uh income to establish their pension. uh income to establish their pension.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Against such, there is no law or legislation. We pray this in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
• House Bill 1798, Firefighters Pension Boards. Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• Tuesday, January 20th, the ninth legislative day. Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• House Bill 1798 Firefighters pension boards. Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• Tuesday, January 20th, the 9th, legislative day hearing. No objections, so ordered.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, the flags were escorted in, and the chamber observed the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance by Pastor Pamela Bowman, and a prayer by Pastor Joseph Bowman. The session was centered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with remarks emphasizing Dr. King’s legacy of justice, nonviolence, equality, and service, along with musical performances including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Grateful.” House Resolution 4672, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was read in full and moved for adoption by Representative Penner. Several members offered extended remarks supporting the resolution and reflecting on King’s impact, the continuing struggle for civil rights, and the need for moral courage, nonviolence, and community service. The House then voted and adopted House Resolution 4672 by voice vote, with the Speaker noting that applause was appropriate. After the resolution, the House handled routine procedural business. Bills and resolutions on the introduction sheet were advanced to first reading and referred to committee, committee report items were referred as designated, and the Rules Committee was relieved of House Bill 1160 on local government design review and House Bill 1798 on firefighters pension boards, placing them on the second reading calendar. The Rules Committee was also relieved of Substitute House Bill 1066 on regulated substance use data and Engrossed House Bill 1574 on substance use care services, placing them on the third reading calendar. Both caucuses announced meetings after adjournment, and the House adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• Years ago, when we were wrestling with pensions being out of balance, we developed PPOB, Public Pension
• I'm excited about the policy and the legislation.
• </c><00:08:23.199><c> and</c> um legislation affecting Medicare and um legislation affecting Medicare
• </c> about almost every piece of legislation about almost every piece of legislation that<00:09:00.560
• </c> And that practice you referenced is our employee pension program.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 173 from Senator David Givens, which would create a legislative review process for the state health plan and state plan amendments, modeled after the administrative regulations process. Givens argued the legislature should have a stronger policy role in reviewing the plan, saying the bill would allow lawmakers to find components deficient rather than approve them outright. He tied the proposal to Medicaid spending growth and projected enrollment changes, saying the state needs a new oversight tool. Committee members generally supported the concept, though Senator Berg expressed concern that the legislature lacks the executive branch’s healthcare expertise. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Chairman Meredith, which would create a pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to practice in Kentucky without repeating residency in the United States. Supporters said the bill is aimed at addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and cited projections of a statewide shortage of about 3,000 physicians by 2030 and a shortage of primary care doctors in particular. Testimony from Cicero Action and Baptist Health emphasized that many foreign-trained physicians are already fully trained, that residency slots are limited, and that the bill could help fill shortages in underserved counties while preserving quality through existing exams, ECFMG certification, English proficiency requirements, primary source verification, and mentoring/oversight. Several members raised questions and concerns. Senator Berg asked about verification, required exams, and oversight, and Senator Tishner raised concerns about fraudulent credentials in some countries and whether the bill could admit underqualified physicians. Witnesses responded that applicants would still have to pass the same exams, obtain ECFMG certification, and undergo primary-source credentialing and employer oversight. Supporters also argued the bill would not displace U.S.-trained physicians because it would use otherwise limited residency capacity more efficiently. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill and reported it favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• Disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal remedies