Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill is being reported to our Finance Committee.
• And this bill is being reported to our Finance Committee.
• And this bill is being reported to our Finance Committee.
• This bill is being reported to our Finance Committee.
• This bill is being reported to our Finance Committee.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on May 5, 2026, with a quorum present and eight bills on the agenda. The committee considered measures on a temporary task force on the Variable Supplements Fund (S1181), cost-of-living adjustments for certain retirees (S3414A), an optional 25-year retirement plan for Suffolk County fire marshals (S5754B), a heart disease presumption for certain NYC Police Department traffic enforcement agents (S8147B), a Civil Service Commission study of state agency job vacancies (S8209), employment of persons with autism spectrum disorder (S8640), an optional 25-year retirement plan for certain New York Power Authority employees (S9068A), and the effective date of a reclassification for accidental disability retirement benefits (S9909).

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:34.679> dollars rails around the bond Finance dollars rails around the bond Finance
• <00:31:44.120> possibly with budget and finance possibly with budget and finance possibly
• <01:31:41.239> are for what kinds of bond financing are for what kinds of bond financing are
• director eald and a budget and finance director eald and a budget and finance and<01:38:06.000><
• It is basically giving DOT more flexibility over contracting and financing.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be looking for a motion to report this to Finance. Any questions or discussion?
• We'll be looking for a motion to report to Finance. Any questions or discussion?
• And we'll be looking for a motion to report the bill to Finance.
• Senate Bill 989 by Senator Zellner: An act to amend the private housing finance law and the state finance
• We'll be looking for a motion to refer to Finance. Do you want to make a motion, or...

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met in Albany and considered a series of housing and homeownership bills. Early actions included reporting S.852 (Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act) to Finance, S.955 on smart access systems to Internet and Technology, and S.7933A on registrations of residential mortgages in default. The committee also advanced S.8675, the CAREforce First-Time Homebuyers Act, after a lengthy discussion about whether the bill inappropriately targets a specific workforce; supporters said it addresses a documented shortage of human services workers and includes existing SONYMA income eligibility, while opponents raised concerns about favoring one occupation over others. The bill was reported with some members in the negative and others voting to advance without recommendation. Members then reported S.9650, which would prohibit landlords from including incorrect rent decontrol information in certain leases and standardize notices for Affordable New York Housing Program units, and S.9679, which would codify the Block-by-Block Home Ownership Program in state law. Both had prior Senate history and drew some negative or AWR votes. The committee also discussed and advanced S.9742, which would allow residential units in multiple dwellings to omit openable windows if they meet ASHRAE ventilation standards; supporters said the change is needed to facilitate office-to-residential conversions, while members raised questions about maintenance, egress, and the bill’s limited application to localities under the multiple dwelling law. Finally, the committee reported S.989, establishing the vacant rental improvement program, after noting it had previously passed the Senate and was being reintroduced. Throughout the meeting, several bills were described as reintroductions or prior Senate measures, and multiple motions were made to report bills either to Finance, the floor, or another committee, with several members voting in the negative or to advance without recommendation on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• If reported, it would go to Finance.
• That bill goes to Finance. Next bill, Senate 1816 by Senator Fernandez.
• Next bill, Senate Bill 4589 by me, if reported, will go to Finance.
• Next, Senate Bill 7460 by me, if reported, it would go to Finance.
• That bill goes to Finance.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of finance and intergovernmental affairs at NYSAC.
• Senate Bill 180B by Senator Persaud is to be reported to Finance: an act to amend the Social Services
• Senate Bill 182 by Senator Persaud is to be reported to Finance: an act to amend the Social Services
• Senate Bill 184 by Senator Persaud is to be reported to Finance: an act to amend the Social Services
• Senate Bill 1465 by Senator Serrano is to be reported to Finance: an act to amend the Social Services

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Social Services Committee met for its first meeting of the session, with Chair Senator Roxanne Persaud noting a quorum and reviewing the committee’s prior-year activity. She said the committee handled 87 referred bills in 2025, reported 31, passed 25 committee bills in the Senate, and saw five bills pass both houses, with two signed and three vetoed. She also highlighted stakeholder workshops and hearings on rental assistance, youth employment, and human trafficking in the transportation sector, and said the annual report would be posted soon. The committee then heard from Paul Brady of the New York Public Welfare Association and Dave Lucas of the New York State Association of Counties. They focused on federal and state budget pressures, including the HHS withholding letter, TANF, child care, Social Services Block Grant funding, and the implications of HR1 for SNAP and Medicaid work requirements. They warned about staffing shortages, county budget strain, and the need for more time, training, and technology to implement new requirements. Both also emphasized housing instability, supporting rental assistance and shelter-related programs, and Brady urged attention to shelter allowances and safety-net cost sharing. The committee reported several bills to Finance: S.180B to increase enhanced residential care eligibility amounts; S.182 to raise the federal poverty level threshold for a one-time income disregard after job entry; S.184 to establish a full-year youth and young adult employment immersion program, with members questioning how it would be funded; S.1465 to implement an electronic benefit transfer system, which members strongly supported as a fraud-prevention measure; S.3787 to eliminate rent for homeless shelters; and S.7730 to authorize reimbursement for shelters housing a single individual in a double-occupancy room. The committee also advanced S.8570, creating a Fiscal Cliff Task Force to study public assistance program funding shortfalls, despite discussion of prior gubernatorial vetoes of similar measures. All bills were reported, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are special assessments to help finance project-related infrastructure.
• Agency, uh three members Housing Finance Agency, uh three members of<00:16:10.280> ledge<00:16
• Agency, uh the Vermont Housing Financing Agency, uh the director<00:16:20.000> of<00:16:20.120
• Housing Finance Agency. Housing Finance Agency.
• <01:08:01.880> and Senate committees on finance and Senate committees on finance and judiciary

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first took up S. 298, the Vermont Voting Rights Act. Members explained the Senate’s further proposal of amendment, including changes to language about how the State Ethics Commission may respond to ethics inquiries, a directive for the Secretary of State and Ethics Commission to work out a shared process for the candidate financial disclosure form by January 30, and a technical PAC-related wording change. The committee reported an 11-0-0 vote in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The chamber then suspended rules to take up S. 328, the omnibus housing bill, and heard detailed committee reports from General and Housing, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. The bill addresses common interest community resources, a service-supported housing advisory council, expansion of the 10% for Vermont program to 12.5%, an off-site construction accelerator pilot, VHFA’s rental housing revolving loan program, special assessment districts, municipal housing planning requirements, and several reports on housing-related issues. Ways and Means described revenue impacts from the cash-balance expansion and revised the off-site construction pilot and loan program language; Appropriations removed a section already included in the budget and adjusted advisory council per diem funding. The House adopted the amendments, ordered third reading, suspended rules to place the bill in all remaining stages, passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and messaged the action to the Senate forthwith. The House then suspended rules to take up S. 197, relating to payment reform for primary care. The House Health Care Committee recommended a strike-all amendment, saying the health care system is in crisis, premiums are rising, access to primary care is limited, and clinicians are burdened by documentation and administrative work. The committee vote on its amendment was 10-0-1, and the bill was also referred to Ways and Means and Appropriations because of fiscal implications. The transcript cuts off as the House was beginning consideration of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The May 12th meeting of the Senate Finance Committee will come to order.
• The finance number of provisions.
• Um, and Elsbeth Cabert, the Finance Um, and Elsbeth Cabert, the Finance Committee<01:05:32.600><
• And with that, we hope this is the last Senate Finance Committee.
• possibly our last forever Finance possibly our last forever Finance Committee<01:06:20.240> meeting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It included all of the provisions from the campaign finance board recommendations for the year.
• This codifies a campaign finance board rule on major decisions of non-elected local officials.
• This codifies a campaign finance board rule on major decisions of non-elected local officials.
• This codifies a campaign finance board rule on major decisions of non-elected local officials.
• Thank you very much for finance system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so sections one, two, and nine of article one require the Campaign Finance Board to establish an
• Article five is the tax increment financing article.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 535 as amended. I ask for a voice vote.
• We had to tighten this up; the language was pretty loose when it came into the Senate Finance.
• President, Senator, yes, the Senate Finance amendment that was placed includes that. Thank you, Mr.
• Oh, I move that the Senate recede from the Senate Finance Committee amendments on House Bill 167.
• House Appropriations Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 493 as amended by the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is referred to the Finance Committee.
• The bill is referred to the Finance Committee.
• The bill is reported to the Finance Committee.
• This bill is also referred to the Finance Committee.
• The bill is referred to the Finance Committee.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met and considered a long agenda of bills focused on health coverage, insurance regulation, and related consumer protections. Measures discussed included coverage for infant formula, restrictions on step therapy for serious mental health conditions, physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient substance use disorder treatment without pre-authorization, mortgage guarantee insurance, patient navigation services, specialized dental benefit plan information, firefighter medical exams, the Strength and Homes Program, accident prevention course instruction, early egg and peanut allergy coverage, speech therapy for stuttering, dog-breed-related insurance restrictions, insurer advertising requirements, prescription drug substitution during shortages, and notice of long-term care rate increases. Members also discussed the rationale for some bills, including concerns about outdated advertising rules and the importance of allergy-related coverage for children. Most bills were moved favorably, with several reported to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Substance Use Disorder Committee, or Transportation Committee. Notable referrals included the infant formula, patient navigation, allergy coverage, stuttering therapy, and drug shortage substitution bills to Finance; the substance use disorder bill to the Substance Use Disorder Committee; and the accident prevention course bill to Transportation. Bills on mental health step therapy, mortgage guarantee insurance, specialized dental plan information, firefighter exams, dog breed restrictions, and insurer advertising requirements were reported to the floor. The committee also took recorded votes, with some members noted as without recommendation or without recusal on certain bills, and Senator Helming recorded in the negative on the long-term care rate increase notice bill. Overall, the meeting concluded with all agenda items acted on and no bill defeated outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:10.599> you the Department of budget and finance you the Department of budget and finance
• <01:50:20.719> questions move this forward to finance questions move this forward to finance
• I'll move this to Finance. Questions or concerns, members?
• I'll move this to Finance. Questions or concerns, members?
• On this one, I want to move this forward to Finance.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:47.680> and committee on elections finance and committee on elections finance and government
• <00:06:53.919> and committee to the campaign finance and committee to the campaign finance
• campaign finance and public disclosure board.
• campaign finance and public disclosure board.
• campaign finance and public disclosure board.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working our way toward it, but with that minimum financing of just $40 million from the TTF
• or their own financing, and we have a...
• uh over 200 million in backlog here we've been working our way towards it but with that minimum financing
• reimbursement agreement which is when they have chosen to move forward with the project with private financing
• or their own financing and um we have a Financing or their own financing, and we have, we're under a

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Program. After approving the March 9, 2026 minutes, the committee heard from Commissioner Andrew Kilshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce on two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a building addition and waterfront industrial improvements project, and a Workforce Training Center redevelopment project. He said both met program criteria and projected substantial state benefits, jobs, and high benefit-cost ratios. Committee members asked about the projected jobs, the unusually high benefit-cost ratio, and the status of other port projects. Kilshaw and DOTD’s Molly Bergoin said the program has a backlog of more than $200 million, but the department is working through it, with some projects nearing closeout. They also said the annual request cap has been increased and that a tiered funding approach is being considered to help projects compete for federal dollars. Members expressed support for expanding investment in ports and for a statewide strategic plan. Chairman Boriak moved to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 program. There was no objection, and the committee accepted the projects. The meeting then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4004
• Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 2009
• reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass as last amended by the Committee on Finance
• reports the same back with the recommendation that it do pass as last amended by the Committee on Finance
• Your Committee on Finance has had under consideration engrossed House Bill 5510, eliminating the requirement

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first suspended Rule 54 to allow guests on the floor, then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 65. The resolution recognized West Virginia as a global hub for critical mineral processing and encouraged lawful private-sector dialogue and commercial engagement between West Virginia businesses and rare earth/critical mineral institutions abroad, beginning with institutions in Somalia. The sponsor emphasized that the measure was nonbinding and intended to open conversation about minerals, processing, and advanced materials, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then recessed briefly to receive and introduce a visiting delegation from Somalia, including the deputy prime minister, ministers of petroleum/mineral resources and commerce/industry, parliamentary leadership, and diplomatic representatives, along with other guests involved in the visit. After the recess, the Senate received several Finance Committee reports and advanced multiple House bills on first reading: HB 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia program; HB 4006 creating the West Virginia Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Growth Act; HB 2009 creating the Portable Benefit Account Act; HB 5412, the Future Ready Education Act; HB 5453 modifying the school aid funding formula; and HB 5510 removing the acreage/location requirement for private wedding venues. Each bill was reported as amended by Finance and taken up immediately without objection. During remarks, a senator from Randolph spoke about the death of Riley Wingfield in a side-by-side accident and praised students and administrators at Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Tucker County High School for wearing orange and black in solidarity with grieving Elkins High School students. The remarks were ordered placed in the Journal appendix. The Senate then announced adjournment until the next day at 10 a.m., with the Rules Committee scheduled to meet at 9:45 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Finance Committee amendments for House Bill 2 and Senate Finance Committee substitute for
• Like economic development and universal child care, while maintaining strong reserves, the Senate Finance
• The Early Child Care Assistance Senate Finance dedicated crucial funding to stabilize child care for
• Economic development: Senate Finance added 145 million over targeted investments dedicated to Mexico
• In education, Senate Finance...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• she works with various housing finance authorities.
• Planning and public finance.
• Housing finance agencies are thriving.
• Probably Do they all have to go through the Board of Finance for all transactions?
• I'm just looking at the finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, currently we can step in where the private market is unable or unwilling to finance a project.
• Uh, currently we can step in where the private market is unable or unwilling to finance a project.
• Uh, currently we can step in where the private market is unable or unwilling to finance a project.
• Uh, currently we can step in where the private market is unable or unwilling to finance a project.
• Publicly led housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to create

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'm working with Adrian and the Finance Committee.
• But we'll take care of that in the Finance Committee.
• However, that gets to finances.
• I was thrilled when I saw that you were appointed to finance.
• Thank you for entertaining members of Senate Finance.