Transcript Highlights:

• And if you said yes to any of that, what are some of the important design elements that you want to dig
• Have you done any broader analysis of the—because, you know, pension systems are designed to be funded
• Exceeding climate emissions limits will hit the youngest, and the younger beneficiaries that retire after

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy met on June 17, 2025, with Vice Chair Fitzgibbon presiding initially in Chair Benke’s absence. The committee approved the May minutes and then held its annual election of officers. Representative Travis Couture was elected chair, Senator Steve Conway was elected vice chair, and the executive committee seats were filled by Member Yistramski for actives, Bev Hermanson for retirees, and Anthony Murrietta for employers. The committee also recognized Pat Thompson for her long service and upcoming departure from the committee. Staff then briefed the committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5357, which changed pension funding by increasing the assumed long-term investment return from 7% to 7.25%, lowering normal cost contribution rates, suspending Plan 1 UAAL contributions for four years, and extending the amortization period for Plan 1 benefit improvements from 10 to 15 years. The Office of the State Actuary explained that the bill produces significant short-term budget savings but increases the risk of higher contribution rates later if investment experience underperforms. Members asked about the suspension of Plan 1 UAAL rates and the implications for future rates and funding risk. The committee also received an introduction to the required study of proposed LEOFF 1 merger and termination legislation under the 2025-27 operating budget proviso, covering Substitute Senate Bill 5085 and Substitute House Bill 2034. Staff outlined the study plan, including legal, tax, actuarial, administrative, and pension policy analysis, with input expected from the Attorney General’s Office, Ice Miller LLP, the Office of the State Actuary, DRS, the State Investment Board, and the State Treasurer. Members discussed the unusual issue of an overfunded plan and possible IRS implications. Public testimony was split, with some speakers supporting a merger as a way to create room for a Plan 1 COLA and others opposing any diversion of LEOFF 1 assets, citing legal, tax, and member-rights concerns. The meeting adjourned before the scheduled executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• program that provides $55,000 per year. percent of a service member's retirement pay to an eligible beneficiary
• It will ensure the PTET is accessible and as beneficial as it is designed to help the taxpayers for.
• The requested resource will partner with CDSS to analyze, design, and develop the interface.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, generally distributions cannot be made from the account until the beneficiary turns 18, and after
• turns 18 and after that they beneficiary turns 18 and after that they follow<00:48:58.000><c> the</c
• And finally, the tax<01:28:16.639><c> credit</c><01:28:16.880><c> is</c><01:28:17.120><c> designed</c
• to</c><01:28:17.600><c> be</c><01:28:17.760><c> simple</c><01:28:18.000><c> to</c> tax credit is designed
• to be simple to tax credit is designed to be simple to administer<01:28:19.440><c> uh</c><01:28:19.600

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:55.839><c> under</c><00:41:56.160><c> the</c> up to some other beneficiary under the up to
• some other beneficiary under the account.<00:41:57.040><c> What</c><00:41:57.200><c> the</c><00:41:57.520
• Allianz Field was designed with watering stations all around the stadium.
• Alons Field<00:48:23.839><c> was</c><00:48:24.160><c> designed</c><00:48:24.480><c> with</c><00:48:24.800
• ><c> watering</c> Field was designed with watering Field was designed with watering stations<00:48:25.760

Bills: HF1392 , HF2233 , HF695 , HF2228 , HF1289

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment that every member considers whether or not they are receiving compensation from a named beneficiary
• amendment that every member considers whether or not they are receiving compensation from a named beneficiary

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out SB841 by Senator Hughes relating to the beneficiaries of trust fund pay received in
• Parker relating to the beneficiaries of trust funds paid or received in connection with an improvement

Bills: HB1958 , HB2031 , HB2879 , HB3285 , HB3995 , HB4487 , HB4558 , HB4560 , HB4876 , HB4899 , HB5212 , HB5317 , HB5543 , HB5567 , SB1333

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it is important for us to be intentional with tax cuts to make sure that the beneficiary
• To be intentional with tax cuts to make sure that the beneficiary is the everyday person on the ground

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are the beneficiaries of the land-grant permanent funds?
• Who is the second largest beneficiary? My fun fact turns out to be NIMI.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move to suspend House Rule 8, Section 5D, for SB 31, to designate the member.
• The Attorney General can even design the program for a school district.
• Would you all like a little help on the design of those gavels?
• SB 1940 by Hughes, relating to authorizing a beneficiary designation that transfers a manufactured home
• Members, this bill allows owners to designate a beneficiary for a manufactured home to take effect upon

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will continue to fight until every beneficiary gets the benefits that they earned, no matter how
• father, the Peltz family was forced to contend with a system that failed the very veteran it was designed
• the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapies, quote unquote, approved supervisor designation
• There are thousands of licensed marriage and family therapists DESIGNATION, END QUOTE.
• of the number, location, and risks of high-containment labs, with updated national standards for design

Bills: HB3123 , HR980 , HB1458 , HR658 , HR988 , HB3497

Keywords: veterans, benefits, death, pension, family payments, estate, wildfires, natural disaster, California, anniversary, emergency response, rebuilding, first responders, community support, education, assistance programs, independent study, Department of Veterans Affairs, nonprofit, National Nonprofit Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Crown lands were specifically designated for kanaka, and until the requisite land transactions with the
• list and how we're defined beneficiary list and how we're not<01:49:18.159><c> in</c><01:49:18.520><
• But this is a bright light in that we're taking valid steps to create housing for our beneficiaries.
• But this is a bright light in that we're taking valid steps to create housing for our beneficiaries.
• have died waiting for our beneficiaries have died waiting for our Homestead<01:55:11.440><c> 40</c><

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll sign, designate a biller for the agency.
• They'll sign designate<00:58:16.319><c> a</c><00:58:16.480><c> biller</c><00:58:16.799><c> for</c><00
• </c><00:58:17.920><c> And</c> designate a biller for the agency.
• And designate a biller for the agency.
• </c> a reasonable amount of time to design a reasonable amount of time to design and<01:48:13.679><c>

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:04.480><c> to</c> settlement but they were not designed to settlement but they were not designed
• </c> been developed, launched and designed been developed, launched and designed not<01:26:18.400><c>
• It's designed to function just like digital cash, except we use regulated money market funds.
• uh described that to Anchorage Design uh described that to you<01:27:41.920><c> perfectly.
• And we track and trace beneficiaries.

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you look at tourism today, the largest beneficiary of the growth of tourism in the state is
• 26.160><c> largest</c> you look at tourism today, the largest you look at tourism today, the largest beneficiary
• 27.600><c> growth</c><00:55:27.840><c> of</c><00:55:27.920><c> tourism</c><00:55:28.240><c> in</c> beneficiary
• of the growth of tourism in beneficiary of the growth of tourism in the<00:55:28.359><c> state</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is designed to grow the state's economy and create jobs for Texans.
• addition to the baseline amount for which the project is eligible for reimbursement for projects designated
• Designated a heritage project, they call those all those in that block.
• Jobs like electric lighting, construction, set designers, decorators, hair, makeup, painters, special
• Some of you may recall that Texas State was designated along with Texas A&M...

Bills: SB22 , SB 22

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• think if I was a PBM they need to take notice that the new administration probably does have some designs
• This program is designed to help these specific Texans.
• We operate in designing and planning phases and tend to lay out that. language next week, Madam Chair
• The only access to residential units and to maintain at least one designated climate.
• We encourage initiatives like those before you today designed to improve health care in rural Texas.

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• and Report what what they've been design and Report what what they've been what<00:47:37.280><c> they
• Each new service provided to a student, as designated by the Medicaid International Classification of
• Each new service provided to a student, as designated by the Medicaid International Classification of
• A student, as designated by the Medicaid International Classification of Disease diagnostic code, shall
• </c> as well as any benefic any beneficiary as well as any benefic any beneficiary of<03:56:40.520><c

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 393 by Representative Schamerhorn to designate Wednesday, June 30th as Arthrogryposis
• The visor is something that our old office student worker, Mason, actually designed, the pelican off
• So that's where the design came from. Thank you. Mr.
• the metrics that were used in this study to come up with this formula, Orleans Parish is still a beneficiary

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR79 , HCR104 , HB75 , HB410 , HB719 , HB750 , HB944 , HB1098 , HB1220 , HB1252 , HB359 , HB210 , HB468 , HB1117 , SB382 , HB368 , HB552 , HB732 , HB870 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB149 , SB208 , SB274 , SB300 , SB312 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB258 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So if, like we said, beneficiaries not enrolled in the PASS program or our home receive most of their
• the other things I really like to talk about with hospitals is that there are a lot of federal designations
• other entities, and then she's got to play by the funding rules that run along with those hospital designations
• other entities, and then she's got to play by the funding rules that run along with those hospital designations

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• consultation with communities or tribes or having that respectful kind of back and forth in helping design
• consultation with communities or tribes or having that respectful kind of back and forth in helping design
• Animal health regulations are designed to prevent and control the transmission of diseases that affect
• Sustainable harvest calculations generate a perpetual supply of revenue on state trust lands for trust beneficiaries

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources