Transcript Highlights:

• He didn't even claim privilege.
• Aims to modernize the legal framework regarding tort claims and liability for state agencies.
• in place at the time a claim accrues would apply.
• It similarly only applies to claims after October 1st.
• The bill to be entitled an act relating to biosolids management. Are there amendments?

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we have they're unfounded claims.
• And they’re claiming that not only, you know, contrary to what they all previously claimed, that you
• And they’re claiming that not only, you know, contrary to what they all previously claimed, that you
• And they’re claiming that not only, you know, contrary to what they all previously claimed, that you
• </c> forth legislation uh the management forth legislation uh the management council<00:48:28.960><c>

Bills: HB0108 , HB0039 , HB0091 , HB0070

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The fourth finding, according to DFA's Financial Management Guide, is that if an agency pays an invoice
• The Employee Benefits Division paid $3.8 million for Arkansas State employee health claims and $6.5 million
• for public school employee health claims in fiscal year 2025 that should have been recorded as a payable
• for public school employee health claims in fiscal year 2025 that should have been recorded as a payable
• And the fifth finding, according to the State of Arkansas Vehicle Use and Management Guide, every vehicle

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard audit reports from Tom Bullington. For the Department of Public Safety FY24 audit, two findings were presented: a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $3,700 that was later recouped, and a $2.5 million collateral deficiency tied to bank deposits that exceeded FDIC coverage because securities were not properly pledged to the State Police. Agency representatives from Arkansas State Police and the Department of Public Safety answered questions, and members discussed how the collateral requirement works before the report was filed without objection. The committee then reviewed the Department of Transformation and Shared Services FY24 audit, which contained five findings. These included an $800 career service overpayment caused by incorrect rehire data, delayed deactivation and inaccurate listing of fixed assets including stolen cameras, a double count of more than $940,000 in year-end cash records, $10.3 million in health claims that should have been recorded as fiscal year 2024 payables, and repeated deficiencies in vehicle mileage logs. Agency officials said the stolen cameras were recovered through restitution, and they described corrective steps for asset tracking, cash reporting, and vehicle logs. Members asked detailed questions about the vehicle log issues and the planned statewide GPS/telematics rollout. Shared Administrative Services said it is negotiating a vendor contract, expects to implement the system first in its own department, and aims to use GPS, geofencing, alerts, and WEX fuel-card data to improve oversight while preserving privacy. The committee also discussed possible future vehicle sharing across agencies, but no action was taken beyond filing the report. The meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapman, the director of the Office of Financial Management, here to present.
• I'm the Director of the Office of Financial Management.
• I'm the Director of the Office of Financial Management.
• I manage Foss Harbor Marina in Tacoma, and I live in the 29th Legislative District.
• managers at L&I, without whom there would be no workers' compensation benefits.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this I submitted a claim to L&I, and I assure you that a rigorous evaluation of this claim was performed
• The claims are already being approved, but the journey is not the same.
• The claims are already being approved, but the journey is not the same.
• Yeah, we heard testimony that when these claims are on appeal, they're allowed.
• And that's generally true on all of the presumed occupational disease types of claims.

Bills: SB5379 , SB6106 , SB6147 , SB6180 , SB5927 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, laid-off employees act, WARN notice, mass layoff, business closure, plant closing, worker adjustment and retraining notification, employment security department, employee notice, layoff notice, worker protections, job loss, employment loss, public records exemption, privacy, employee names and addresses

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, on the burden of proof, in the case of claims based on actual intent to hinder, delay, or
• And again, the wage claim, opening that up, really just lets the floodgates open.
• At 4:45 the manager says, "Any of you guys want to go home? It's slow."
• I don't know that this is something people actually call and file a wage claim for.
• </c> actually call and file a wage claim for. actually call and file a wage claim for.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Their average credit was $1,125, which was a higher average than, you know, the average claim statewide
• Their average credit was $1,125, which was a higher average than, you know, the average claim statewide
• c><00:02:43.760><c> the</c><00:02:43.920><c> the</c><00:02:44.239><c> average</c><00:02:44.480><c> claim
• </c> um you know the the average claim um you know the the average claim statewide,<00:02:45.280><c>
• amount um it's pretty average claim amount um it's pretty sizable<00:03:12.000><c> in</c><00:03:12.159

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, authored by Representative Lee, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit to more closely match the homestead credit for homeowners. Lee explained that the bill would raise the income cutoff from about $75,389 to $143,140 and increase the maximum credit to $3,500, with the goal of addressing what she described as an inequity between renters and homeowners who both pay property taxes. She cited revenue estimates showing the change could make about 80,000 additional renters eligible, while acknowledging the bill would be costly to enact this year. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in support, describing how the renters’ credit works, including the assumption that 17% of rent goes toward property taxes. She highlighted 2022 data showing most recipients had low incomes, many were seniors or people with disabilities, and participation was higher in greater Minnesota in some respects. Michael Dah of Homeline also supported the bill, saying renters face rising housing costs and use the credit for basic needs such as groceries, school supplies, medical care, and car repairs. Members discussed whether expanding the credit would simply benefit landlords or encourage rent increases. Representative Anderson opposed the bill on the grounds that policy should incentivize homeownership, while Representative Huitt argued the credit could help renters build savings and move toward homeownership if they choose. Representative Lee responded that the housing market is broken and that the credit is one tool to help renters in a broader housing continuum. The discussion also covered outreach and administration of the credit, including the recent move to file it with income taxes, electronic certificates of rent paid, and funding for tax-preparation assistance and outreach through VITA sites and community organizations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the managing shareholder of the law firm Parsons Bailey and Latimer here in Boise.
• Then, as different parties file claims, you can object or respond to the claim.
• Then, as different parties file claims, you can object or respond to the claims that they're filing.
• So when the tribe's claims were filed by the United States, because these are federal law claims, they
• Oh, wow, what are they claiming?

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• This process only concerns property claims, not medical claims.
• So, in prior—and you're only talking property damage claims here, right?
• She slammed on the brakes, slid, and managed not to hit the car.
• I haven’t said it will reduce your claim.
• I mean, they might wind up in small claims court or something, but...

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 1615 and House Bill 2071 “do pass” with 11 ayes and no opposition on each bill, with one member present on the roll call. After returning to public session, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1647, sponsored by Representative Overcast, which was described as a fairness measure intended to prevent double recovery when insurance payments have already satisfied part of a claim. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was aimed at property damage claims and intercompany arbitration between insurers, though several members questioned whether the bill’s language was actually limited to property damage or instead reached broader collateral source issues and evidence rules. Committee members, especially Representatives Butts, Zimmerman, and Castile, pressed the sponsor on how the bill would work in practice, whether it would reduce a plaintiff’s recovery or instead affect insurer subrogation rights, and why arbitration was being addressed in an evidentiary statute. Supporters from the Missouri Insurance Coalition and other industry groups said the bill would clarify offset rules, preserve voluntary insurer-to-insurer arbitration, and prevent inconsistent court treatment of prior payments. Opponents, including attorney Blake Heath, argued the bill was drafted too broadly, did not stay confined to property damage, and was placed in the wrong statutory section because these issues are usually handled through insurer subrogation rather than in a lawsuit by the injured party. Additional support came from the Missouri State Medical Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, though some supporters also acknowledged the bill might need narrowing if the intent was property damage only. No vote was taken on House Bill 1647 during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The claim has been paid for that claim; however, the insurance company is unable to acquire the title
• being settled, and there are some instances where the claim may not be settled and may be denied.
• for that claim however the been paid for that claim however the insurance<00:02:15.120><c> company</
• </c> there are some instances where the claim there are some instances where the claim may<00:02:55.959
• She managed to get through that and lived a few more years, but it was a very serious disease.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• There are pros and cons, and then many different ways we can manage our work.
• , eligibility, payments, and claiming for federal child welfare funding.
• Improves fraud detection by bringing together data from eligibility systems, claim systems, provider
• If you forced our state agencies to sit down with a tablet and a calculator and address book to manage
• If you forced our state agencies to sit down with a tablet and a calculator and address book to manage

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Litigation strategies in public during the 90-day pre-suit period in a Burt Harris claim.
• , deputy city managers, assistant city managers, as well as the names and telephone numbers, and places
• , deputy city managers, assistant city managers, as well as the names and telephone numbers and places
• It clarifies how public employers manage leave time for employees engaged in union-related activities
• I just want to say that I'm a project manager for the city.

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as we evaluate, we'll look closer at caseload patterns, case management technology, and staffing
• So it's almost 10% of our total benefit that's costing us to operate and manage.
• And why that cost is so high to manage that program? 111 million to manage a program? Mr.
• So how many other—let's see—how many other programs they're managing under this, right?
• and one that has zero, or the zero paying the 27 claims for the other.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harvesting is limited to the management of these species.
• It must manage through the active culling of kangaroo populations.
• The most humane wildlife management standards in the world.
• I'm Jennifer Cusack, General Manager, Big Horn Desert View Water Agency.
• that claim for about $150,000.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:51.840><c> state</c> Chandler claimed the individual state Chandler claimed the individual state
• 58:48.160><c> to</c> The administration, while claiming to The administration, while claiming to pursue
• Management District of Forest<02:13:50.560><c> County.
• I will not claim that.
• I will not claim that. The perfect bill? I will not claim that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it is important to manage the forest, and utility hardening is also important.
• Because it is important to manage the forest. And utility hardening is also important.
• Welcome, Senator Stern, the Chair of Emergency Management, joining us today. Welcome.
• So the claims are very high, which implies that the premiums need to be very high.
• land management policy, especially proximal to those communities.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• to pursue that claim on the behalf of the corporation.
• An internal entity claim. is a claim that concerns the internal affairs of a corporation.
• So we talk a lot about how internal entity claims are governed.
• Those aren't claims between a company and its workers.
• We are not talking about claims that workers make against the company or claims that the neighbors or

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 4950. 5, insurance data and claims do pass. Out on an A-roll call.
• SB 615 Allen, EV Battery Management, do pass with author's amendments to, among other things, strike
• SB 653 Cortese, Environmentally Sensitive Vegetation Management, due pass out on an A roll call.
• SB 487, Grayson, workers' compensation claim, do pass, as amended, to apply the bill to a peace officer
• SB 437 Weber-Pearson claim eligibility. Do pass. That's out on a B roll call.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Karen Cheeks, who's our committee manager, is really good at keeping you informed, but she will please
• Karen Cheeks, who's our committee manager, is really good at keeping you informed, but she will, uh,
• So I manager, is really good at keeping you manager, is really good at keeping you informed,<00:04:10.159
• And then there is a per program cap of $100,000 a year of credits that can be, uh, claimed.
• Representative Drummond makes a... claimed. um it's first come, first claimed. um it's first come, first

Bills: HB87 , HB96 , HB28 , HB87 , HB96 , HB28

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB87, Marengo County, coroner, deputy coroner, county commission, expense allowance, mileage allowance, travel reimbursement, local act, local legislation, county general fund, public official compensation, county office, Section 45-46-60, Alabama Code, salary increase, allowance increase, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment

Transcript Highlights:

• We also oversee prescribed and agricultural burning to manage and reduce smoke impacts that come from
• They claim that forests must be logged and thinned for wildfire safety, yet the most effective way to
• management... ...management, or ESVM, to mean vegetation management that reduces catastrophic wildfire
• This definition does not change how vegetation management for wildfire mitigation is conducted.
• And so this is something where we need to get as much vegetation management done as possible.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with an initial quorum delay, then approved a consent calendar including SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee then heard SB 88, which would direct state agencies to support biomass utilization and biochar/low-carbon energy strategies; supporters argued it would reduce wildfire and agricultural burning emissions and create rural economic opportunities, while opponents said woody biomass energy is dirty, costly, and harmful to forests and public health. The bill was amended and passed to Appropriations on a due-pass vote. The committee next considered SB 653, defining “environmentally sensitive vegetation management” to support wildfire fuel reduction projects that also protect biodiversity. Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District and the California Invasive Plant Council supported the measure as a voluntary framework with no new mandates, and a committee member requested to be added as a coauthor. The bill passed to the floor. SCR 50, urging the state to define maladaptation and better evaluate climate resilience policies and investments, was also adopted with no opposition. Later, the committee heard SB 567, a pilot program to convert idle oil and gas wells into gravity-based energy storage wells. Supporters said it could help meet energy storage needs and accelerate well plugging, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, seeking protections for groundwater basins and stronger leak-notification requirements. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 831 clarified the Geological Survey’s role in mapping geologic hazards, including those tied to climate change such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion; it received support from CalCIMA and passed to Appropriations. The committee concluded by recording votes on absent members and closing the hearing.