Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, members of the military are paid at a rate that is higher than that. It exceeds that.
• to the E-5 rate.
• them a rate that exceeds their base pay. them a rate that exceeds their base pay.
• to the E5 rate.
• So, if you are a rates to the E5 rate.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4807, a bill relating to state government and veterans of the secret war in Laos, but the discussion focused on a House amendment that replaced the Senate language. Representative Olson explained that the amendment would tie Minnesota National Guard state active duty pay to the E-5, or sergeant, rate, rather than the current minimum pay structure, which he said can leave lower-ranked members earning about $15 an hour during emergency activations. He argued the change would better compensate Guard members who leave civilian jobs to serve and said it would mirror federal pay adjustments without affecting the Department of Military Affairs budget except when the Guard is activated. The amendment was adopted after brief discussion. On third reading of the bill as amended, Olson urged support, describing the Minnesota National Guard as highly trained and deserving of recognition for its service and sacrifice. No opposition was recorded. The House then took the roll call vote and passed Senate File 4807 as amended by a vote of 133-0. The title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• disability rating. disability rating.
• The standard tax rate that we tax rates.
• We have the town tax rate. We have the school tax rate.
• you calculate two separate rates? you calculate two separate rates?
• In our two separate tax rates.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• excess earnings above the assumed rate excess earnings above the assumed rate of<00:35:11.680>
• TRS's assumed rate of return of 7.1%. TRS's assumed rate of return of 7.1%.
• <01:07:52.400> for there is a fixed statutory rate for there is a fixed statutory rate for
• rate, just not enough. So, we need more. rate, just not enough. So, we need more.
• rate on behalf of the school districts. rate on behalf of the school districts.

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:

• > three<00:10:35.000> areas Delinquency rates in these three areas Delinquency rates in
• However, home loan delinquency rates However, home loan delinquency rates remain<00:10:42.680>
• to the national rate.
• Although the unemployment rate has risen, Minnesota's rate remains below the national rate, and the state's
• an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. an annualized growth rate of 2.2%.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through 7 establish a reimbursement rate through 7 establish a reimbursement rate for<00:05:15.440
• services such that the rates are a bit closer to the cost of providing care.
• services such that the rates are a bit closer to the cost of providing care.
• Rate for a specific set of home care services such that the rates are a bit closer to the cost of providing
• some additional there's a blank rate some additional there's a blank rate increase<00:21:46.279>

Bills: HF729, HF728

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, respite care, children, licensed settings, home and community-based services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I'm just around to raise rates.
• <00:32:47.679> and The problem is we pay that rate and The problem is we pay that rate and
• So my suggestion as capitated rate.
• There's a substantial need for rate.
• , eligible to buy at the 340B rates, eligible to buy at the 340B rates, they're<01:19:15.440>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The free or reduced reimbursement rate that you are likely familiar with...
• Given our high rates of CEP participation due to high rates of students who participate in these programs
• Participation rates are now higher than the national average.
• and the free meal rate.
• Chair, those are federal reimbursement rates. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our highest rating this cycle is 97.438%.
• Currently, there are 23 poor performance ratings and 32 marginal performance ratings.
• We have 102 satisfactory performance ratings."
• Our response rate... Districts that receive FMARs is 25%.
• We want to encourage 80% statewide performance ratings.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the blended rate helps. The blended rate helps you as the Legislative Assembly set budgets.
• With the growth rates. Okay, thank you.
• That's 1.5% less than the national rate. One of the highest rates in the nation.
• Some contracts list hourly rates for different services, but these rates are paid to contractors.
• Some contracts list hourly rates for different services, but these rates are paid to contractors and

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Key data from the report highlighted child maltreatment rates, repeat maltreatment rates, and turnover
• Rates that are all higher than national averages.
• You can't really take graduation rates.
• So this is at a four-star enhanced rate.
• We're not seeing low graduation rates.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a rate per 1000.
• And then our state's rate of repeat maltreatment also remains considerably higher than the national rate
• In last legislative session we had asked to increase that rate.
• So a daily rate of $20.91, Secretary: which is a monthly rate if it's a 31 day month of $648, we'll be
• So what we are rating and then are there national levels?

Transcript Highlights:

• So the intent was to make sure that the wages that are set are higher than market rates.
• For 60% of those workers, the rate of $36 applies, and for 100% of those workers, the rate of $24 per
• The rate suggested in AB 141 would be absolutely devastating to tribal California.
• Please look at them and say, okay, what is your rate? What do you agree with?
• We have agreed, but prevailing wage is the lower rate. That is the agreed-upon rate.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they cannot get a quorum, then what happens is the tax rate... ...the tax rate just remains at
• , then basically the same tax rate, I mean the same exact rate, would be adopted for the following year
• If you wish to increase the tax rate above the no new revenue rate, when there is a lack of agreement
• So if that rate is maintained and doesn't change, if and to the extent that that rate, based on the values
• The overall rate is 36.3%.

Bills: HB240

Keywords: tax exemption, farm products, ad valorem taxation, tax code, producer ownership

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of county and regional government bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097 would let counties that opt in give sheriff’s deputies an alternative appeal route for certain discipline cases through an independent hearing examiner instead of the Civil Service Commission. The author and a CLEET witness said it would be faster, cheaper, and fairer; questions focused on why the bill was needed and whether sheriffs could already use such a process. No opposition testified, and the bill was left pending. HB 4642 drew extensive testimony after the author said it was prompted by a death involving an out-of-state jail contract. The bill would require counties contracting with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas-like jail standards and oversight provisions. The author, a former detainee held in Louisiana, his wife, and a Texas Jail Project advocate described poor conditions, lack of accountability, and multiple deaths of Texans housed out of state. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards director said five counties are currently housing 1,251 Texas inmates out of state, mostly because of staffing shortages, and said the bill would give the commission more authority and oversight. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, which would allow peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face retaliation risks and should have protections similar to judges and other officials; a title industry witness cautioned that redaction should not compromise the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687 would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet specified training and certification standards, and HB 4105 and HB 4205 would give Harris County preferences in construction contracting and require pay parity for comparable law enforcement ranks within the county, respectively; all drew support from county officials and were left pending. HB 5403 would repeal a special rule requiring Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs to get commissioners court approval for commissary disbursements, and it was also left pending. Later, HB 4462 would let elected county officials in large counties choose outside counsel in civil cases involving them, rather than relying solely on the county attorney. Supporters argued this would reduce conflicts of interest and protect officials’ reputations; questions centered on who qualifies and whether it could conflict with county interests. Finally, HB 240 would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively requiring all commissioners to be present before a new tax rate can be adopted; supporters framed it as a taxpayer protection, while the Conference of Urban Counties opposed it as giving one member a de facto veto and potentially disrupting the budget process. Both bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, she found that her rates had increased by $280 a year.
• There was an amendment to ban the use of credit scores in insurance rating.
• Would this, generally speaking, overall, lower rates for consumers, raise rates for consumers, or would
• with less predictive rating variables.
• You're probably familiar with CMS star ratings.

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it looks like the hourly rate is extraordinarily higher than the state rate.
• . rate. rate.
• Was it the lowest rate in the RFP?
• statutory rate. statutory rate.
• California firm with a higher rate. California firm with a higher rate. >> Okay.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• different changes we've had to our rate different changes we've had to our rate of<03:53:24.359>
• benefit um they look at mortality rates benefit um they look at mortality rates they<04:02:52.159
• recommended keeping our our annual rate recommended keeping our our annual rate of<04:03:14.920>
• This rate is used to calculate the unfunded liability and affects the employer contribution rate, and
• effects the employer contribution rate effects the employer contribution rate and<04:29:38.640><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• are projected to go up Donald rates are projected to go up Donald Trump<00:04:27.400> is<00:04
• <00:05:09.320> they're governor noted um at the rate they're governor noted um at the rate
• So certainly we have to look at government programs where the rate of growth is higher than the rate
• <00:09:37.880> of government programs where the rate of government programs where the rate
• <00:09:39.560> of growth is higher than the rate of growth is higher than the rate of inflation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know following the pandemic in the past three or four years, absenteeism rates, facing.
• This map kind of shows you, in darker blue colors, counties that have higher absenteeism rates.
• On the low end, a handful of counties have the lowest rates.
• Others have absenteeism rates at about 50% of their students.
• When we look at the rate and trends in absenteeism rates across different types of schools and students

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the non-homestead property tax rate and the non-homestead property tax rate is<00:45:00.440>
• <00:50:55.200> increase the average property tax rate increase the average property tax rate
• where we're buying property tax rates where we're buying property tax rates down<00:55:49.360>
• So I can in good down of the rates.
• million dollars into buying the rate million dollars into buying the rate down<00:56:33.160>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the augmentation, if you will, for rate one does not create a reduction in rate two.
• new rate one LEAs.
• And what is it per student on the rate two, and the new per student on the rate one?
• And the rate two amount?
• There were increases in rates.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.