Transcript Highlights:

• from both the Department of Shared Administrative Services and DF&A for a plan to provide special compensation
• projects and programs listed as Sfor Hana, pay plan, onboarding, ERIBA, and performance goals in the compensation
• provisional position report for positions at higher ed that are created using unexpected funds, special compensation
• Special Compensation and Recruitment and Incentive Awards have been paid out across state agencies.

Summary: The committee met and considered several administrative personnel and compensation items. Item B approved a temporary extra-help hire at the University of Arkansas Community College Hope-Texarkana, allowing current Representative Dolly Henley to serve as director of Hempstead Hall, with the required council and governor approvals already provided. Item C approved a special compensation award bonus plan for employees at the Department of Shared Administrative Services and DF&A for work on specified projects and performance goals, and Item D approved a Department of Human Services reallocation of positions and related funding, including about $180,000 moved between divisions. The committee also received informational reports under Items E through H, including a provisional position report for higher education, reports on special compensation and recruitment/incentive awards across state agencies, personnel actions taken under previously approved legislative language, and a community correction quarterly caseload report. No questions were raised on the reports. All items were approved without opposition, and the meeting adjourned after no further business was brought before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 229, an act relating to compensation and health insurance for members of the General Assembly, introduced
• 00:07:49.199> act<00:07:49.440> relating<00:07:49.759> to<00:07:50.000> compensation
• S229, an act relating to compensation S229, an act relating to compensation and<00:07:50.880>
• 51.759> members<00:07:52.080> of<00:07:52.240> the S. 229, an act relating to compensation

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• him a round of applause, and I would also like to ask that he be made page of the day with no compensation
• But I'd also like to ask that he be made page of the day with no compensation.
• Madam Clerk, please make Quentin Hayes, Jr. a page for the day without compensation.
• And I also ask that three of my children be made pages for the day without compensation.
• Madam Clerk, please make them pages for the day without compensation. Further introductions.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also redefines earnable compensation so that it includes payout compensation for sick and vacation
• <00:25:57.760> and<00:25:57.960> also compensation and also compensation and also I<00:
• <00:27:40.200> to definition of earnable compensation to definition of earnable compensation
• <00:34:36.599> over would eliminate the compensation over would eliminate the compensation
• One definition ends, um, for earnable compensation. So it would be compensation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 provisions affecting the New Hampshire Retirement System, focusing on Group 2/Tier B retirement changes in pages 25 through 39 of the bill. NHRS Executive Director Jan Goodwin and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions and to HB 727, with the main difference being that the 2025 version does not include the earlier increase in the maximum benefit. They also said the fiscal note for HB 2 is based on earlier actuarial work and that an updated valuation was expected later in the week. A major topic was whether the bill accidentally removed an anti-spiking or special-duty compensation limit. NHRS said the omission appears to be a scrivener’s error caused by moving language between Group 1 and Group 2 definitions, and they planned to flag it in the fiscal note. Members also reviewed the bill’s intent to restore Tier B members to pre-2011 benefit rules, including changes to earnable compensation, average final compensation, and the comp-over-base rule. Some members questioned whether restoring those older rules was appropriate, arguing the 2011 changes were meant to curb pension spiking and that undoing them could be problematic. The committee also discussed the bill’s cost and funding assumptions. NHRS said the 2025 bill would reduce unfunded actuarial liability by about $98.2 million and would have a more favorable effect than the 2023 version, while employer contribution impacts would remain relatively small. Members noted the bill assumes annual appropriations of $27.5 million for 10 years, but House Bill 1 currently provides only $5 million in the first year, and NHRS had not yet analyzed the effect of that shortfall. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on clarifying the bill’s language, intent, and fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's sometimes difficult to get these approved by the Patient's Compensation Fund.
• They are taken from the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF).
• I do appreciate the definitions you gave us on compensation and penalties.
• Yesterday, we spent a lot of time on the patient compensation fund.
• The patient compensation fund is driving our problems with medical malpractice.

Transcript Highlights:

• years and eliminating the compensation years and eliminating the compensation over<04:54:17.920>
• final compensation.
• <05:11:08.400> in higher of the earnable compensation in higher of the earnable compensation
• calculating average final compensation calculating average final compensation but<05:11:17.360><
• currently subject to the compensation currently subject to the compensation over<05:13:02.400>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 187, which would allow parents or guardians to seek restraining orders on behalf of a minor child even when the alleged perpetrator is not a family or household member. Tracy Sirles testified that the bill was prompted by her family’s experience after being told by state police to seek a restraining order, only to learn the current law did not allow it because the offender was the child’s best friend’s father. Members agreed the change was straightforward, noted the fiscal note reflected only a small indeterminate cost to the judicial branch, and moved House Bill 187 ought to pass; the motion was approved unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 66, a Right-to-Know bill that removes “citizen” language in favor of “person” in some provisions and allows certain New Hampshire-connected requesters to seek records electronically if the records already exist in that format. Members reviewed concerns about defining “member of the media,” the scope of electronic requests, and a sentence stating appeals would have no filing fee or search charge. After debate, the committee voted to amend the bill by removing that fee-waiver sentence, then recommended House Bill 66 ought to pass as amended. The vote was 6-3. Next, the committee heard from the Environment and Agriculture chair about several solid-waste-related bills being folded into trailer bill language, including House Bill 215 and House Bill 171, with discussion of a possible three-year landfill moratorium and the need to address DEES staffing and funding concerns. DEES later clarified that the revised approach would not require new positions or create a fiscal impact because the new solid waste commission would be self-funded through filing fees. The committee voted unanimously to retain House Bill 215. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 566, which requires landfill permit applications to include a detailed leachate management plan and more information about disposal contracts. The sponsor said the bill was developed with DEES to address leachate problems and improve safety oversight. DEES testified that the bill largely reflects current practice and would have no specific fiscal impact, with existing staff able to absorb any review workload. The committee moved House Bill 566 ought to pass, and the motion was approved unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 624, a grant program for local river management advisory committees, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also helped cover expected growth in employee compensation and benefits and other operating costs,
• <00:25:59.600> and the expected growth in compensation and the expected growth in compensation
• He was happy to do it, and he told me that, but I think that he should have been compensated in some
• He was happy to do it, and he told me that, but I think that he should have been compensated in some
• He was happy to do it, and he told me that, but I think that he should have been compensated in some

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This request is in line with the October 2024 SAO report on executive compensation, ensuring the head
• Um, just real quick, the last part I heard you talking about was on, uh, the compensation issue.
• Last October, a state auditor's report on executive compensation recommended this ban go from 3 to 4.
• Commissioner Nelson will address the specific requests for the Division of Workers' Compensation.
• If I may, please, from the division of workers' compensation, we have.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission filing of claims further. >> Representative Bedell. >>
• Uh, the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Fund is a group of funds that are available to qualifying
• The one-year filing deadline for crime victims' compensation benefits presents some significant challenges
• Crime Victim's Compensation Fund is a Crime Victim's Compensation Fund is a group<00:09:36.959> of
• presents some compensation benefits presents some significant<00:09:52.959> challenges,<00:09

Bills: HB66, HB79, SB35, HB255, SB134, HB159, HB181

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, HB255, Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, ERSA, State Police Tier II Plan, annual leave

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, SB 130 makes three changes to Florida's compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration statute
• The bill extends the timeline to file for such compensation... It was passed in 2018.
• The bill extends the timeline to file for such compensation from 90 days to two years.
• Florida is the only state in the nation that has a compensation statute that includes this provision.
• enacting the wrongful incarceration statute in 2018, there are 18 exonerees who have been denied compensation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and first approved SPB 7014, which terminates the state court system’s mediation and arbitration trust fund; staff noted the fund has no current balance and that filing fees were already redirected in 2011. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill without objection. The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures for foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia described it as a response to reported abuses in Miami-Dade County, adding longer sale timeframes, stronger notice requirements, rules for alternative sale methods, online auction authorization, and consumer protections for surplus funds. After adopting a technical amendment, members raised concerns about whether the bill was codifying a process they believed should remain with clerks of court and about the new online auction provisions; Senator Garcia ultimately moved to temporarily postpone the bill. Members also approved CS/SB 322, creating a nonjudicial process for sheriffs to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 138, which revises DUI-related language from “intoxicating” to “impairing” and allows judicial circuits to create DUI diversion programs. CS/SB 138 drew opposition from some members and testimony from cannabis advocates and defense lawyers who argued the catch-all language was too broad and could sweep in lawful medications or create testing and expungement issues, but it still passed. The committee further reported favorably SB 130 on wrongful incarceration compensation, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars to compensation, and SB 234, which strengthens penalties for violent resistance against law enforcement officers and clarifies that such resistance can lead to life imprisonment if it results in an officer’s death. Both bills received supportive testimony, though SB 234 also drew concerns from defense lawyers about removing language tied to lawful duty and good faith; the sponsor said the bill preserves defenses while focusing on violent resistance. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:39:32.560> their to, but they may compensate their to, but they may compensate their retiring
• No annual compensation applied for retirement.
• School districts could I compensation.
• No annual compensation salary credit.
• <01:49:11.600> Uh Annual compensation for TRS3 either.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:03.040> to talking about making compensation to talking about making compensation to
• But in terms of who might have the ability to best compensate them, it's probably not going to be the
• <01:16:28.239> they um determined how much compensation they um determined how much compensation
• <01:16:58.280> and<01:16:59.280> the get more compensation and the get more compensation
• 01:17:01.280> was<01:17:01.480> so compensation for each person was so compensation for

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And sixth, it's the description of the compensation model for each PD, APD, or private attorney program
• And sixth, it's the description of the compensation model for each PD, APD, or private attorney program
• West Valley Water District frequently reached their compensation cap by the middle of the month.
• The Legislature already granted 15-day compensation authority to the Santa Clara Valley Water District
• By increasing the number of days for which board members may be compensated, these boards are likely

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 95 is the confirmation of Craig Snellings for the appointment to the Workers' Compensation
• He most recently served as staff counsel for the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
• to public agencies rather than upon request, and capturing some more forms of compensation. ...public
• Compensation arrangements with insurers and third parties are concealed from the public and sometimes
• It's about information and not about restricting compensation. Thank you, Senator.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're funding a compensation structure that makes early childhood education a viable career.
• These programs all work together, and total spending for FY27 on direct compensation will be closer to
• But this structure was designed to bring consistency and coherence to early childhood compensation.
• Those rates over 50 to 60 of that rate is about compensation.
• But yes, so we absolutely recognize the value of that type of care and compensate it accordingly.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• The payments are not considered compensation that could be applied towards their end of year.
• payments are not considered compensation payments are not considered compensation that<00:14:51.519
• There is language in the bill preventing an impact on pensions, and it says the compensation for unused
• sick days established by this paragraph shall not be considered compensation or creditable compensation
• sick days established by this paragraph shall not be considered compensation or creditable compensation

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 Legislative Proposal: Representative Blanton: 01:12 • House Bill 220 Approval of Minutes: 10:07 Legislative Proposal: Senator Nunn: 10:24 • Sick Leave Flexibility for School District Employees Adjournment: 34:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and it is federally.
• We have a vaccine injury compensation program. You hire an attorney.
• And if they have a complication... such as that and they wish to seek compensation, then they access
• the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
• Injury compensation program, there are very few attorneys nationwide who are trained.

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• new cost-of-living adjustment, approximately 4%, effective July 1, 2026, based on the Judicial Compensation
• This Senate Bill 25, what it does is just the compensation for the registrars of voters.
• So we're just trying to compensate them for things that we have asked them to accomplish for us on these
• So we heard the Senate's concerns regarding the initial proposal and have developed an amended compensation
• So we heard the Senate's concerns regarding the initial proposal and have developed an amended compensation

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted. The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• zoning matters before a municipality's governing body to declare whether the party has received compensation
• I know when there's a lobbyist that comes up that they're being compensated, and this doesn't say if
• you're not being compensated that you have to come up and state that.
• It just says, you know, if you're being compensated for testimony that you would have to say that.
• If they're compensated and you turn around and walk back, you walked in. Okay, thank you.

Bills: HB2051, HB2324, HB2439, HB2457, HB2686, HB2837, HB2875, HB2953

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• Both LFC and the Executive are at 1 for compensation.
• The biggest differences, obviously, are the difference in compensation: 3 versus 1, and that 45 million
• And again, the biggest difference is the compensation recommendation. We're at 3; they're at 1.
• One key difference is on Row 5: this is the Compensation Recommendation.
• The line five, the compensation difference 3 to 1, is pretty clear.

Keywords: 996, all