Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2276 relating to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund investment officer staff salaries
• Health Benefits Trust Fund investment officer staff salaries.
• </c> focused on that trying to do salary focused on that trying to do salary differentials<00:35:36.240
• </c> applied, I had no idea what the salary applied, I had no idea what the salary range<00:40:23.880
• </c> position and a salary. It sounded good. position and a salary. It sounded good.

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, um, they had a little bit of extra in their salary target.
• </c> bit of of extra in their salary target. bit of of extra in their salary target.
• The last salary increase they received, they did have enough um leeway in their salary target.
• ><00:08:44.800><c> they</c><00:08:45.040><c> did</c> salary increase they received, they did salary increase
• </c> have enough um leeway in their salary have enough um leeway in their salary target.<00:08:48.000

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, what's the minimum salary? The minimum salary in state law is $33,600, so and there may be.
• Dallas is somewhat unique in that they do not use the traditional salary schedule so the salary schedule
• Service salary schedule you're gonna get whatever that salary schedule raises that you know rain falls
• Salaries are higher than almost everybody in the region, but they also change the way salaries work.
• That comes out of their salaries.

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These agencies will be using it to pay salaries and overtime in order to perform the services.
• That would bring up the minimum salary schedule by an additional $2,000.
• The savings comes from the salaries that are currently being paid by the agency.
• And so when they go to privatization, they'll no longer need to pay those salaries. Follow-up.
• We're already going to see a $10,000 savings as a result of saving from the salaries themselves.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriation bill. The chair and budget authors explained that the proposal was built to balance the budget using a mix of general revenue, cash sweeps, and other fund transfers, including money from unclaimed property, revenue stabilization, and other statutory funds. Members also discussed a proposed $35 million OWRB revolving loan fund tied to ARPA interest and a $200 million transfer from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund as part of a long-term savings strategy. A number of agency-specific items drew questions. Members reviewed the OPEB employer contribution reduction, rent coverage for state agencies, child care and Head Start funding, Department of Corrections revenue from ICE-related agreements, sheriff grant funding, and education funding, including about $99 million in additional formula funding, a $2,000 teacher pay raise, and reading-related appropriations such as Strong Readers and Just Right Reader. The committee also discussed mental health funding, including a $30 million consent decree line, a proposed privatization of CCBHC services with an estimated $10 million savings, and related reduction-in-force costs. Other topics included Attorney General transfers and litigation funding, higher education allocations, Langston University extension funding, historical society requests that were not funded, and a biosolids pilot program. During debate, supporters argued the bill fulfilled the constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget and highlighted increases for education, health care, and water infrastructure. Opponents criticized the use of one-time cash, tax cuts, and what they described as special-project spending, while raising concerns about transparency and underfunded services such as child care and transportation. After debate, the committee voted 18-5 to pass Senate Bill 1177.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state, outside of setting a minimum salary amount and a handful of additional...
• endorsements, the state does not set teacher salaries.
• This is not a salary schedule.
• So I stayed at the same salary for multiple years.
• So stayed at the same salary for multiple years.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first disposed of Senate Bill 1291 with a due-pass recommendation to the floor. It then took up House Bill 816, which would adjust Idaho’s career ladder rules for career technical education and pupil service staff so prior relevant experience can count toward movement on the ladder, rather than leaving many employees stuck for years at the same level. The bill’s sponsors and LSO staff explained that the career ladder is an apportionment model, not a salary schedule, and that the change is intended to help recruit and retain educators who come from industry or clinical settings. Testimony in support came from a school psychologist, a school nurse, school administrators, and a CTE representative, all emphasizing shortages, recruitment problems, and the cost of contracting for these services. Despite support, a motion was made and approved to hold HB 816 in committee. The committee then considered House Bill 815, a narrow fix for Answer Charter School’s transportation block grant funding. Sponsor Sonia Galavis and Answer representatives explained that the school began full busing only in 2022-23, but its transportation funding was still being calculated from a small 2010 pilot program, leaving it far below comparable schools despite running multiple buses and transporting students daily. Testifiers, including a parent and the school’s executive director, said the current formula creates an unfair funding gap and limits access for families. The committee heard that the bill would correct an unintended anomaly without affecting newer charter schools, and it voted to send HB 815 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also adopted an RS for House Bill 816, with a technical correction to the language, and sent it to the second reading calendar. Representatives Diger and Galavis were named to carry that measure on the floor. The meeting then adjourned after completing its work for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, these payments were funded through salary savings from vacant positions, but reductions
• Departments are expected to pay for certain costs using salary savings.
• has control over, but they're also not formally budgeted, and they're just expected to use these salary
• as noted, are an ongoing legally required structural cost, which departments typically absorb via salary
• So using salary savings, given that they're fluctuating, they are a less stable fund source for these

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, that's a great point. for the salary for business court judges.
• paid by the state, and counties are allowed to... allowed to supplement that salary up to a limited
• So the committee substitute would state that the salary that a business court judge receives from the
• state is equal to the district judge's salary plus the maximum amount that a county could supplement
• To your questions about the salary supplement, all of the urban areas do provide the salary supplement

Bills: SB1538 , SB2883 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3376

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• It has the salary for every single school district superintendent.
• You can find superintendent salaries in the Superintendent Annual Financial Report.
• You said in your testimony, and I just want to clarify, superintendent's salaries in our public record
• You can find superintendent salaries in the Superintendent Annual Financial Report.
• That is by far the highest salary in the state by over $11,000.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California has one of the highest average teacher salaries. It's roughly around $95,000.
• Our average teacher salary currently is about $55,000.
• But we do need to improve our teacher salaries.
• We are asking, again, every year, that we have to increase the funding for the salaries.
• To increase the funding for the salaries.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 education budget. Shelby Salmons outlined the overall budget framework, and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis highlighted major education investments, including $486 million for VPK, $30.6 billion for K-12 education, a $761.1 million increase in FEFP funding, the highest per-student funding level to date, and $201 million more for teacher pay flexibility. The presentation also emphasized school safety, mental health, civics education, and the Guardian Program, along with continued funding for TEACH, HIPPY, Help Me Grow, and civics debate and literacy initiatives. Members asked about how the mental health allocation would be used, counselor staffing ratios, school closures and whether the department intervenes, oversight of school choice and voucher-funded schools, and the Guardian Program’s pay structure and effectiveness. Senators also raised concerns about the FISH school capacity report, data collection, teacher pay, professional development, AI and tutoring technology, and whether the budget adequately supports mental health services and school safety. The Commissioner said many funding decisions are left to districts, that the department stands ready to assist, and that the Guardian Program has been successful and expanded over time. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding, and urged the committee to consider full-day VPK funding, arguing it has improved third-grade reading outcomes in Pinellas. Senators followed up on district flexibility and local spending choices. The committee took no substantive vote on the budget presentation and adjourned after thanking the department for its recommendations and partnership.

Transcript Highlights:

• So cities sometimes have an issue when they have to kick in most of the salary for an SRO that can't
• California has one of the highest average teacher salaries. It's roughly around $95,000.
• But we do need to improve our teacher salaries.
• We are asking again every year that we increase the funding for the salaries.
• And as the appropriators, we are happy... ...to increase the funding for the salaries.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> behind um in terms of the salary behind um in terms of the salary schedule<00:07:27.840><c> they
• This is salary and program, or just salary? The 210—no, it says 440.
• and program or just this is salary and program or just salary<01:53:14.880><c> the</c> salary the salary
• They don't get a salary. It's just benefits, not a salary. They do not get a salary.
• They don't get a salary. It's just benefits, not a salary. They do not get a salary.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, their salaries are for a non-licensed social worker, I actually think their salaries are comparable
• </c><00:50:22.160><c> maybe</c> with kind of the lower salaries maybe with kind of the lower salaries
• </c> hard to develop a competitive salary hard to develop a competitive salary scale.<00:51:27.200><c
• ><c> with</c><00:51:38.000><c> the</c> make a respectful salary with the make a respectful salary with
• </c> worker, I actually think their salaries worker, I actually think their salaries are<00:53:01.599

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The item A is related to the biennialization of the statewide salary increase. to page 3.
• In excess of amounts appropriated in order to provide salary increases.
• Our agency's operating budget, the 3.3- million or so is 88% salary-driven.
• The 5% legislative salary increase for both fiscal 24 and 25 is very much appreciated that's adequate
• We have made good progress in bringing our staff up towards market average salaries over the years with

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we had, in our meetings, we discovered that a lot of the vacancies were being used for salaries
• is, because I know at one time we asked, you know, about the real salaries, which I don't think we've
• I know we had, in our meetings, we discovered that a lot of the vacancies were being used for salaries
• is, because I know at one time we asked, you know, about the real salaries, which I don't think we've
• We did hear from the Office of Financial Regulation that they don't need more salaries, so that's a good

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered only one bill, C.S. for House Bill 929, relating to firefighter health and safety. The bill sponsor explained that it would strengthen firefighter workplace safety and mental health supports by requiring reporting of firefighter suicides, directing the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal to establish mental health best practices, requiring notice about potential chemical hazards in protective gear, and encouraging work schedules not exceeding 42 hours per week. Florida Professional Firefighters testified in support, tying the bill to prior cancer and PTSD legislation and emphasizing the need for prevention and best practices. Members from both parties spoke strongly in favor of the bill, describing firefighters as heroes and highlighting the mental health toll of the job, toxic gear concerns, and the importance of support for firefighters and their families. Several members noted personal connections to firefighting or experiences with firefighters in emergencies. The chair also stressed concern about rising firefighter suicides and the trauma first responders face. No amendments were offered. The committee then voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. Afterward, the chair briefly discussed broader budget conference issues, including agency vacancies, salary information, and ongoing talks with agencies before conference, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um which salaries were kind of fixed.
• And the remainder of that salary increase is for retention, title changes, salary increases, moving folks
• And the remainder of that salary increase is for retention, title changes, salary increases, moving folks
• </c> from what's in these salary increases. from what's in these salary increases.
• </c> just talked about in regard to salary just talked about in regard to salary increases.<00:52:54.800

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• since I've been in the legislature to the judiciary's salaries.
• </c> that we've put a a salary schedule. that we've put a a salary schedule. everybody<00:37:48.000><
• The Attorney General's actual salary, if you remember, we raised the statewide salaries.
• The Attorney General's actual salary, if you remember, we raised the statewide salaries.
• The Attorney General's actual salary, if you remember, we raised the statewide salaries.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PDM is actually a salary expense in the state accounting system.
• And that's not much, but when you have a salary line item, you can't move money around.
• So um we know we'll need about salaries.
• Um, and so that's really the only request that they have is salaries and then IT-related costs.
• have is salaries and then it related. have is salaries and then it related.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason they do not serve on the salary commission is that their salary is not set by the salary
• from being affected by the salary commission.
• And the reason they do not serve on the salary commission is that their salary is not set by the salary
• Primarily, the sheriff could lose salary if he's removed from the salary commission because his salary
• to be in the salary commission because they can receive raises by being in the salary commission.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost. The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor vetoed Section 310, which limits salary increases for the 2029 to 2030 biennium.
• The chief clerk will call the roll. 310, limitations on salary increase.
• The 310, limitations on salary increase.
• And I vote is to salary increases.
• </c> salary increases. salary increases. Senator<03:11:10.640><c> Hicks.</c> Senator Hicks.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To pay the salary increases that are in the budget now.
• Our general salary increases will have. We love this state.
• And I just don't believe that's acceptable to balance the budget on the salary of the workers.
• I urge you to oppose rescinding the promised salary increases for state workers. Thank you.
• As far as a general salary increase is being delayed or changed, it feels very disrespectful.

Keywords: 988, house, all