Transcript Highlights:

• They create high-wage jobs, expand the tax base, and generate sustained demand for construction across
• But I also, last one is say, we also have a high-wage jobs tax credit.
• It could be a quantum facility where you have, again, high capex, high wages, but maybe not as many,
• The presenter said you can stack the JTIP program with high-wage jobs, you can stack that with an IRB
• You can stack the JTIP program with high wage jobs. You can stack that with an IRB.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the committee substitute for House Bill 27, which would modernize New Mexico’s research and development tax credit. Sponsors said the bill would allow the credit to be stacked with industrial revenue bonds for qualifying facilities, exclude data centers and national laboratories, permit up to $50 million in transferable credits per year for 2026-2028, and extend the carry-forward period to seven years. Supporters from business, construction, labor, and economic development groups argued the changes would improve cash flow for startups, help attract and retain high-wage jobs, and encourage commercialization of New Mexico-developed technology in sectors such as advanced energy, aerospace, fusion, and advanced manufacturing. Several witnesses emphasized that the bill was intended to keep commercialization and capital investment in New Mexico rather than losing them to other states. Committee members raised concerns about tax policy, fiscal impact, and whether the bill would truly lead to commercialization. Questions focused on the transferability provision, the $50 million annual cap, who could buy credits, whether data centers should be excluded, how the bill interacts with IRBs and other incentives, and whether the labs could benefit. Some members supported the bill’s goals but worried it was too narrowly tailored or could create winners and losers. The sponsors and administration witnesses responded that the bill was designed to tie R&D to physical infrastructure, provide capital to early-stage companies, and protect the general fund with caps and time limits. They also said the bill would not apply to national labs and would not change existing rural-area doubling provisions. After extensive discussion and no opposition testimony, the committee did not advance the bill. Representative Cadena moved to table the committee substitute for House Bill 27, Representative Parra made the second, and the motion passed without opposition, so the bill was tabled.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's grim, and it's only increasing. This is a problem a lot of people don't see.
• As we see this increase, particularly...
• the Debt Fairness Act, which included provisions that modernized and improved Minnesota's bank and wage
• The good news is that the DOC has made significant progress, increasing its staffing levels to 99%.
• This is an increase from just 76 percent in 2020.

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the speed to farm for farmers.
• , family wage union jobs in our local communities.
• In other words, any increased cost of their product.
• Increasing the B&O tax on prescription medication wholesalers directly increases the price of medications
• Increasing the B&O tax on prescription medication wholesalers directly increases the price of medications

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• After record spending and tax increases over the last two years, Governor Walz's budget proposal includes
• This is effectively a property tax increase that will be felt by Minnesotans across the state.
• This is effectively a property tax increase.
• This is effectively a property tax increase that will be felt by Minnesotans across the state.
• </c><00:20:20.640><c> when</c> double digigit uh Levy increases when double digigit uh Levy increases

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would increase the jurisdictional limit to $15,000 per case and allow businesses to file up
• While spoken language interpreters are able to negotiate terms related to wages, working conditions,
• So there's definitely a need to increase it. It's still not meeting the need in court.
• Now it's down to 33, or I believe 39, and so there's definitely a need to increase it.
• Is that an increase?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, President Biden kept President Trump's tariffs on China and increased them in a handful
• Would you take to address increased prices caused by these tariffs?
• So what I want to know is, what will you do, if confirmed, to combat that increase in price caused by
• Trade Representative for small businesses to call to help navigate increased prices from tariffs.
• Wages do, but we can do what we can to make sure it's broad-based growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a prior session, I sponsored legislation that was signed into law to address the increasing need for
• I rise today because it's been 7,289 days since Pennsylvania last raised the minimum wage.
• Once again, I find myself asking a very simple question: If $7.25 an hour is the right wage for Pennsylvania
• Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats filed discharge petitions to bring the House-passed minimum wage bill
• The people earning minimum wage are not asking for luxury. They are not asking to get rich.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer by Senator Anthony H. Williams and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received gubernatorial communications and a long list of newly referred Senate and House bills and resolutions. The chamber approved the April 22, 2026 journal by a 49-0 vote. Senators also introduced guests, including a high school senior advisory council visiting with Senator Malone and a young guest welcomed by Senator Costa. On the floor, several bills were taken up and either set aside or advanced. Senate Bill 1377 and Senate Bill 482 were re-referred to Appropriations, Senate Bill 906 was re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations, and Senate Bills 1133, 1334, and 1368 were also sent to Appropriations. Senator Dush requested a conflict-of-interest ruling on an amendment to Senate Bill 469; the chair ruled no conflict existed and required him to vote, and the amendment was adopted. The Senate also took Senate Bill 127 from the table and placed it on the calendar. The Senate then considered Supplemental Calendar Number One. Senate Bill 362 received a technical amendment and was advanced; Senate Bill 1183 passed 50-0; Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder treatment providers to receive two-year licenses, passed 45-5 after supportive remarks from Senators Brooks, Tartaglione, and Street; and House Bill 1877, codifying the Pennsylvania seal of biliteracy, passed 50-0 after Senator Lindsey Williams described its student-led origins. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and Senator Tartaglione’s petition urging a floor vote on the House-passed minimum wage bill, House Bill 2189.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, labor pools cannot deduct so much from a paycheck that it falls below minimum wage.
• An apparent response to the banks not increasing payments based on the Fed funds rate increase...
• An apparent response to the banks not increasing payments based on the Fed funds rate increase, creating
• However, in 2023, the Florida Bar rewrote the rules and dramatically increased the interest rate they
• Banks are willing to help the FFLA explore other sources of income, such as increased support from bar

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight increases the Arizona vehicle theft task force appropriation... ...increases the Arizona Vehicle
• Nine increases the appropriated FTEs to DIFI by 9 FTEs.
• They increased them by $274 million.
• We will continue to fight for worthy wages for caregivers and for policies for higher wages for hardworking
• It would increase for ESA as well.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 41.760><c> you</c><00:09:41.920><c> provide</c><00:09:42.240><c> us</c><00:09:42.600><c> any</c> increases
• So, can you provide us any increases.
• I am strongly in favor of nurses being paid wages that are fair, that they deserve to earn for the work
• um wages that are fair that are that um wages that are fair that are that they<00:46:39.280><c> deserve
• </c> themselves for these wages. themselves for these wages.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered multiple gubernatorial nominations, beginning with several appointments to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund board. Testimony on the Hurricane Relief Fund nominees was overwhelmingly in support from the DCCA Insurance Division, Hawaii Insurance Council, Hawaii Insurers Council, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, and various individuals and industry representatives. Nominees Michael Naka, Marie White, Raina Miamoto, Leslie Door, Edward Hike, and Gwen McDonald were discussed, with Miamoto and Hike offering brief remarks about the need to address hurricane insurance affordability, condo coverage, and the importance of attracting reinsurers. The committee spent substantial time questioning Hike about the fund’s strategy, including whether to keep eligibility broad in the first phase to move quickly into the reinsurance market, how much capital would be available, and whether later policy refinements such as owner-occupancy requirements could be added after an initial rollout. Hike said the fund intended to start with broad parameters to secure reinsurance and then consider more targeted changes later, and he indicated further responses to prior committee questions would be submitted later that day. No votes were taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then moved to other nominations. Terresa Hernandez was considered for the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, with support from the board, and she said chiropractic had been a passion for her for seven years. Terrence Aratani was considered for the Board of Nursing, with support from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others. During questioning, a senator raised concerns from constituents about a 2019 grant-related controversy involving a proposed resiliency hub project; Aratani responded that his organization had partnered on a grant-in-aid proposal, later withdrew when the project scope changed substantially, and said no money was transferred to the other group. Cheryl Schultz Hansen was also considered for the Board of Nursing and described her long nursing and teaching background, while a senator asked about alleged pressure on nurses to participate in employee give-back campaigns at Hawaii Pacific Health and the University of Hawaii; Hansen said the campaigns were voluntary and she was unaware of harassment, though she acknowledged managers may feel pressure to encourage participation. The excerpt ends before any final committee actions or votes on these nominations are announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• child care workers' wages.
• And so I'll get back, we have increased the wages, I'll get back to you with a specific date, but we
• We've actually increased our wages, our... Also good. How about your plan? We have a plan.
• So that increased.
• But we, too, need to increase our end strength, probably.

Keywords: NDAA, military recruitment, personnel readiness, testimony, military leaders

Summary: The committee meeting focused on pressing issues related to the U.S. military's recruitment and personnel strategies, especially in light of the upcoming NDAA for fiscal year 2026. Chairperson expressed appreciation for the service of witnesses including senior military leaders from different branches, emphasizing the importance of personnel as the backbone of national defense. Discussions revealed concerns regarding the recent lowering of recruitment standards across military branches, which could potentially affect the quality of service members and long-term military readiness. Witnesses were asked to address the implications of these changes on military health and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 798 by Wally relating to certain rights and duties of residential tenants and landlord increasing
• HB 812 by Reynolds relating to minimum wage.
• Hb8 35 by Thompson relating an unlawful employment practices with respect to compensation and wage history
• referred to the subcommittee on workforce Hb8 36 by Lalani relating to establishing a minimum wage base
• wage for certain personal benefits under Medicaid and other programs administered by the Health and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• seen significant increases.
• cities and a 48% increase in anti-Jewish in 2023.
• Hate crimes in California have increased, and xenophobic rhetoric has increased, and this is affecting
• is only going to increase.
• is only going to increase.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The research shows, and I have the data, that payday lending leads to increased likelihood of missed
• We do not take you to collections, garnish wages, or take you to court. Follow-up: Thank you, Mr.
• You will work your way up after you've shown a history of repayment in a positive way and will increase
• We don't take people to collections, we don't garnish wages, and we don't take them to court.
• Take people to collections, we don't garnish wages, and we don't take them to court.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the forefront of closing this skills gap by providing technical education and training. or high-wage
• Receiving state funding only when a graduate has been employed in a high-wage job for five. five years
• The only way to address the student loan crisis is by increasing affordability. expanding student loan
• Right. number of schools, of course, has increased and increased.
• While this could increase the risk to the university. It does allow flexibility.

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirty-eight percent of the increase is related to projected enrollment increases.
• That will allow DHI to recruit FTEs that are needed to maintain increased workload or meet increased
• I know that is a huge increase.
• Again, I covered the staffing increase, but this staffing increase is how we're going to be able to get
• So it's not that we need more staffing to increase the pace; we need to increase staffing to maintain

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1235 will increase compliance burdens, reduce bidder participation, and likely increase construction
• AB 1235 will increase compliance burdens, reduce bidder participation, and likely increase construction
• We can increase job placement, including more off-campus opportunities.
• This bill would also preserve all applicable prevailing wage and labor standards.
• learning programs, nor does it increase the funding for these existing programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federal Reserve in Dallas said that the wage growth for AI-exposed industries is actually growing
• the low-level jobs are being siphoned out because of AI, but those jobs that AI can take over, the wages
• are increasing.
• The Federal Reserve in Dallas said that the wage growth for AI-exposed industries is actually growing
• are increasing.

Summary: The meeting began with a report on institutions of higher education for annual certification/solvency, which required no action and was noted as coming later in the week. The main presentation featured students from Arkansas State University, Valley View High School, and the University of Central Arkansas discussing artificial intelligence in education and the workforce. They argued that AI should be taught responsibly in K-12 and higher education to prepare students for jobs, support Arkansas’s growing tech sector, and reduce misuse such as cybercrime, scams, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty. They also cited survey results from teachers showing broad support for responsible AI instruction, district-level management, and teacher training, while noting concerns about critical thinking, ethics, and unequal access. Examples were given of AI already being used at UCA and the University of the Ozarks, and the group suggested a statewide AI library and related training built on the Access Act framework. Committee members asked about student reactions, and the presenters said responses are mixed, especially in the arts, but that AI is already being used in real-world careers and should be integrated with clear standards. The committee then heard from a Pine Bluff community coalition led by Pastor Jesse Turner about school-based outreach and youth support programs. The group described long-running work in Pine Bluff schools and Watson Chapel, including Pass on Patrol, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence efforts, drug and vaping education, gun-violence prevention, and leadership clubs for students. They emphasized that their approach is nonreligious in the schools, focused on encouragement, citizenship, scholarship, and keeping students engaged in class. They also highlighted the use of free curriculum resources on African American history and said they help students see themselves as having promise rather than being “at risk.” Members asked about whether the programs could be shared elsewhere and about impacts on behavior; the group said some materials are trademarked but can be adapted with support, and cited reported reductions in negative behavior and referrals in participating schools. The meeting ended after members praised both the AI presenters and the Pine Bluff outreach group, and the committee adjourned with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federal Reserve in Dallas said that the wage growth for AI-exposed industries is actually growing
• the low-level jobs are being siphoned out because of AI, but those jobs that AI can take over, the wages
• are increasing.
• The Federal Reserve in Dallas said that the wage growth for AI exposed industries is actually growing
• are increasing.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When parents lack a diploma, they often remain trapped in lower-wage work.
• Graduation rates, immediate wage gains, and a stronger workforce.
• They have not increased time in the classrooms, and it has not led to improved test scores.
• And then you do go to A&M, Senator King, and you get a whopping 400% increase.
• And the demand has significantly increased.

Bills: SB1798, SB1835, SB1319, SB2942, SB2928, SB784, SB1049

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa