Keywords: MS Save Our Service Members Task Force - Room 216, November 17, 2025; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Bills: SF3446, HF3247

Keywords: claims against the state, settlement, appropriations, exoneration, corrections claims, claims, state appropriation, corrections, community service, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a new member comes in with credited service, then they become a liability on the system, but you're
• It's purely based on years of service.
• The checks are given out on their anniversary date, so it's based purely on years of service.
• We're seeking to raise that to $10 per month per year of service.
• They have to pay into the system when you're trying to buy back your years of Service.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• So a new member comes in with credited service, then they become... ...comes in with credited service
• It’s purely based on years of service.
• So the longer your service... ...the longer your service, the more enhanced the benefit is.
• It is currently at $7.53 per month per year of service.
• We're seeking to raise that to $10 per month per year of service.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Resources considered a series of retirement, pension, and state employee bills. Senate Bill 1870 would let small municipalities in OPERS with populations of 2,000 or less opt out for new employees; members questioned the fiscal impact and the bill passed 8-0 after the chair struck the title to get a clearer actuarial analysis. Senate Bill 1722 passed 9-0 and would require OMES construction contract fees to be based only on construction costs, not interior design and furnishings, with members discussing how to define those terms and whether historical or specialized projects could still be accommodated. Senate Bill 1639 passed 9-0 after an amendment removed provisions affecting the Indian Education Act commission, leaving a bill to repeal several dormant boards and commissions. The committee also passed Senate Bills 715 and 716, which would increase municipal contributions to firefighter and police pensions, respectively; members raised concerns about city budgets, and the sponsor said he was open to phasing in the increases. Senate Bill 182 passed 5-2 to add certain DHS Inspector General officers and OJA residential care specialists to hazardous duty retirement, and Senate Bill 609 passed 7-0 to allow police recruits to buy up to five years of prior out-of-state service credit as a recruitment tool. The committee then passed Senate Bill 169 5-2 to increase state employee longevity pay by 50%, with supporters citing high turnover and opponents warning about budget pressure and the need for broader raises. Senate Bill 134 passed 7-0 to shorten the waiting period for county employees to return to work from one year to six months. Senate Bill 432 passed 6-0 to raise volunteer firefighter pension benefits, and because it was double-assigned it would next go to Appropriations. Senate Bill 1407 passed 7-0 after an amendment requiring OMES to provide the Commission on the Status of Women an itemized accounting of funds; the bill generally clarifies staffing and financial reporting authority for the commission. Finally, Senate Bill 2039 passed 8-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill to military personnel who are also teachers and defining salary for buyback purposes; the sponsor said the measure would help service members return to teaching and buy back up to five years of credit. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1356 7-0, a broader OMES cleanup bill moving certain functions elsewhere, though members flagged concerns about relocating the state use program and the pay-for-success fund and suggested further study on those sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• SHB 2475 is about planning before spending and delivering services right the first time.
• Avista serves a service area where over 40% of our households are identified as working poor.
• It provides solid waste services for the region.
• It requires a data center that seeks electricity service or is already receiving service to agree to
• Curtailment of data centers puts digital infrastructure services at risk.

Bills: HB2521, HB2249, HB1796

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a very high-functioning and successful student and career services office. that helps with career
• And we have a spring break service learning course, an intensive class where we take a group of students
• to the border to learn about immigration law. have a spring break service learning course, an intensive
• We do do a lot of programming through our student and career services office, where any organization
• So many people were being denied services through DNA Legal Services and New Mexico Legal Aid for different

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• They used the term expedited, but you know y'all passed expedited licensure back in 2023.
• That is a noun, expedited licensure. This is a verb, expedited licensing.
• But it also means that they're not providing service in their home state.
• I hope to see all of those expedited very quickly.
• I agree we need more services. Services.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, I know we're talking about community service hours, but I know when our students are 16 and
• I had one question, and that is there are some community service hours that can only...
• And we were looking over community service hours. And all of them find... School in St.
• So this allows them to gather those community service hours... future.
• So this allows them to gather those community service hours.

Bills: S0564, S1062, S1340, S1646, S1718

Keywords: student volunteers, polling locations, election administration, community service, Florida statutes, speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, dyslexia, dyscalculia, education, screening, intervention, student support, educational facilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met with a quorum present and heard several education-related bills. The committee first considered CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would create a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, designate Speech and Debate Week, authorize a teacher endorsement, require FLVS to establish an institute for speech and debate, direct development of related coursework and credentials, and require annual district reporting. Supporters, including a parent and representatives of the Florida Debate Initiative and school groups, emphasized the academic and civic benefits of debate and the need for funding for travel and training. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and reported favorably SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, with testimony from an Orange County principal and others supporting a proposal to let educators bank professional learning hours, and SB 1646 on educational facilities, which revises how facility funding is calculated and prioritized, including safety and planning considerations. The committee then took up CS/SB 564 on student volunteers at polling locations. An amendment clarified that high school students who are registered or pre-registered to vote may volunteer at polling places and count the service toward graduation or postsecondary financial aid requirements. Testimony from a county supervisor of elections and civic groups supported the bill as a way to engage students in elections and expand volunteer opportunities, while clarifying it would not conflict with existing election funding rules. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1340 on coordinated screening and progress monitoring, which requires school districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and dyscalculia, place identified students on support plans, and use evidence-based interventions, with State Board of Education rulemaking to implement the process. The sponsor and a supporting parent group stressed early identification and intervention. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Laila Collins to the State Board of Education, and then adjourned.

Bills: HF958, HF688, HF702

Keywords: mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice for purposes of expedited permits.
• So, I don't civil service salaries.
• So, largely exempt from civil service.
• Uh Pacted is a social services Pacted.
• </c> still have trouble getting water service still have trouble getting water service uh<01:30:49.280

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• not blanket immunity, but immunity in connection to the code 65236, which applies to the Volunteer Service

Bills: HB325

Keywords: fire protection, volunteer fire department, fire district, emergency response, fire service fees, Lawrence County, voter approval, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the beginning of any request for proposal that the agency issues for procurement of goods and services
• After checking with House IT services, she said this is not a standard House practice.
• finances through, and I quote, "lower program and tax revenues, increased reliance on government services
• revenues, increased reliance on tax revenues, increased reliance on government<01:07:21.960><c> services
• In 2025, Northstar government services."

Bills: HF3643, HF4470, HF4462, HF4366, HF4172, HF3629, HF4356, HF3093

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, HF4470

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 685 keeps a municipality from adopting an increased rate for water or sewer utility service
• exemption that is higher than the rate established for other entities that receive comparable utility service
• If the retail water utility cannot provide that area with reliable service, consequently any assets within
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30 years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing areas
• Relating to the certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water service in an area of

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> being ordered to state active service. being ordered to state active service.
• </c> leaders of the veteran service leaders of the veteran service organizations<00:13:29.040><c> change
• </c><00:20:01.200><c> access</c> veteran service officers greater access veteran service officers greater
• </c><00:30:52.520><c> So,</c> service connection disability. So, service connection disability.
• ><c> starting</c><00:35:16.200><c> at</c> Veteran Service Building starting at Veteran Service Building

Bills: HF4615, HF3532, HF4492, HF4171

Keywords: military, pay, officers, enlisted members, state active service, Minnesota Statutes, veterans, burial eligibility, honor guard, state cemeteries, military service, burial fees, veterans affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, advisory task force, commanders task force, veterans service organizations, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> essential public services. essential public services.
• </c> protect essential public services. protect essential public services.
• I asked our public service um level.
• </c> provide um good quality public service provide um good quality public service to<00:07:57.759><c
• </c><00:10:22.399><c> So,</c> service safely and effectively. So, service safely and effectively.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 685 prevents a municipality from increasing the rate for water or sewer utility service on
• exemption that is higher than the rate established for other entities that receive comparable utility service
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30... years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing
• Members, pollinators are a keystone species that play a crucial role. the ecosystem services that are
• Relating to the certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water and sewer service in

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Bills: HB 109, HB 136, HB 694, HB 1201, HB 1716, HB 2071, HB 2216, HB 2358, HB 2807, HB 2886, HCR 78

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, child welfare, notification, Department of Family and Protective Services, conservatorship, parental rights, legal representation, child placement, doula services, pilot program, medical assistance, mortality rates, child protection, healthcare procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• important because, as I suspect you all know, 30% of Washington is federal land, primarily Forest Service
• and National Park Service land.
• Um, so that, uh, 27% is the number of locations we are, um, uh, trying to, uh, service, not the amount
• of, um, um, um, uh, the amount of trying to service, not the amount of investments.
• I think veterans do deserve to be appropriately recognized for their service, and this will help ensure

Bills: HB2684, HJM4012

Keywords: social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs, 904, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Department of Commerce’s new state broadband director on Washington’s BEAD broadband program and permitting plans. He said Washington’s final BEAD proposal, submitted to NTIA in September and resubmitted in January after roughly 25 rounds of federal revisions, is still awaiting approval. He explained that the federal program now prioritizes lower-cost technologies more than fiber, and that Washington’s preliminary awards would connect about 166,000 homes and small businesses with roughly 35% fiber, 38% fixed wireless, and 27% low-earth-orbit satellite. He also described the state’s permitting strategy, including a goal of issuing broadband permits within 90 days, use of permitting roundtables, and hiring NEPA expertise to speed environmental and historic review while coordinating with state, local, federal, and tribal partners. Members asked about the relationship between NEPA and SEPA, how the federal funding total changed from earlier expectations, the long-term costs and durability of fiber versus fixed wireless and satellite, and whether broadband permitting lessons could inform other infrastructure work such as transmission. The witness said NEPA can function as an umbrella for other environmental reviews, that the federal allocation has not been rescinded but only a portion is currently available for deployment, and that fiber is the most durable long-term investment even though it is more expensive up front. Members also discussed how density affects the feasibility of fiber deployment, with the witness noting that remote areas become exponentially more expensive to serve. The committee then considered House Bill 2684, which would add Middle Eastern and North African groups to the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises’ socially disadvantaged certification framework. Five proposed amendments were debated, but none were adopted. The amendments would have narrowed the rebuttable presumption by requiring findings of current discrimination, required disaggregated subgroup data analysis, tied the rules to the state constitution, and required consistency with federal law and Attorney General review. After debate, the bill passed the committee on a 7-4 vote with two excused, and was reported out with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee unanimously approved House Joint Memorial 4012, which urges Congress to address the 20-year rule affecting certain combat-injured veterans and create parity in recognition and benefits. The memorial was reported out with a do pass recommendation on an 11-0 vote, with two members excused.