Video & Transcript : 'open primary' :
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - House Health & Human Services #2
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank heavens, as I opened a clinic two and a half years ago, the APAL line existed.
- One month of opening my clinic, I had a woman come in with her mother and grandmother.
- It's cost effective and incredibly valuable for Arizona primary care providers who serve the women of
- That makes staying open extremely hard.
- I want schools open. I want to be able to come to work. I want teachers healthy.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote.
The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote.
House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1.
Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies
Transcript Highlights:
- Are you open through? How's that about now? All right.
- We're open to all of that data and that dialogue.
- We're open to all of that data and that dialogue.
- Leave that open to the whole panel.
- Leave that open to the whole panel.
Summary:
The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026.
Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard.
A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Federal Highways Administration, FHWA, is our primary.
- The road was opened on January 1st.
- But the roadway's open; that's the good news.
- The roadway opened on December 23rd.
- Roadway opened on December 23rd.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met for an organizational session and received a presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries staff on recovery from the December atmospheric river storms. Committee members were introduced, and staff outlined a new process for submitting proviso and project requests through an online app, with members directed to work through their caucus policy staff. The chair also announced caucus meetings and noted staff changes for the session.
WSDOT and WSF described emergency response operations, including statewide activations, damage assessment, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs. Staff explained how they pursue federal reimbursement through FHWA Emergency Relief and, separately, FEMA for debris removal, while noting that permanent repairs still require environmental clearances. They reported more than 50 emergency work orders, 16 emergency contracts, about 107 road sites closed at one point, and an initial damage estimate of roughly $30 million.
Examples of storm damage and recovery included US 2 near Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon, US 12 near Naches, Highway 410, Highway 42 near Mount Baker, I-90 shoulder damage, and a major US 101 slope failure near Forks that will require longer-term geotechnical work. Members asked about environmental permitting, bridge impacts, flood coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and whether emergency declarations allow broader actions; staff said the declaration mainly speeds stabilization and contracting, does not change tolling authority, and does not waive environmental requirements. No votes were taken.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-24-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill would simply allow Kentucky primary and secondary students K through 12 to take advantage
- If we add language that would expend any general funds, that would open it up to a challenge on that
- </c><00:28:50.480><c> care</c> into seeing their primary care into seeing their primary care physician
- ,</c> the doors of our rural hospitals open, the doors of our rural hospitals open, and<00:42:47.599>
- He needs open heart surgery.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- have a registered support position with the committee, and the primary witnesses and opposition must
- We will hold the vote open for the rest of the members.
- The vote is held open for the rest of the members. Thank you.
- With that, you have my full support, and if you can open up the roll.
- We can go ahead and open the roll for add-ons. Item number one, AB 1819, Patterson.
Summary:
The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 21 and heard three bills. AB 1819 by Assemblymember Sanchez would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Sanchez said the bill is intended to protect older adults and other community members by improving access to life-saving emergency equipment; supporters included recreation and park districts and respiratory care professionals. The committee members present voted in favor, and the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members.
AB 1983 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio would create an optional sequential repayment method for continuing care retirement communities, allowing entrance fee repayments to be made in the order residents leave rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. Rubio and Erickson Senior Living argued the change would make repayments more predictable and equitable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association. The committee approved the bill and sent it to Human Services, again holding the roll open for later votes.
AB 2037 by Assemblymember Patterson would establish a pilot grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden their homes against wildfire risk, with Patterson describing it as a way to support property maintenance and reduce wildfire spread. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, AARP California, and local officials testified in support, and committee members accepted amendments to add another county to the pilot. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. After the initial votes, add-on votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It would require a constitutional amendment, I would think, but I want to be open completely on.
- That's probably the primary criteria that we're evaluated on.
- Schwartner; they're like a primary care physician. They don't get to specialize.
- So I would encourage opening the portal electronically for people to use. Thank you.
- Okay, members, now we're going to open public testimony on Article 4.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs.
Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue.
The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chamber with your love and peace, and break open the hearts and minds of these lawmakers.
- Opening debate, A, the opening debate on SB1 shall not exceed 40 minutes, one extension of time not to
- B, the first 20 minutes of the opening debate period shall be reserved.
- author of a pre-filed amendment wishes to move the amendment to article 11 without debate the primary
- Article 9a a if the primary author of a pre-filed amendment wishes to move the amendment to article 9
Bills:
HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Shorter and longer than the 15 years for our closed and open plans.
- We did, as Luke mentioned, we looked at the closed and the open plans.
- use the same assumption for both the open and closed plans.
- Next May 18, applications open for benefits. I don't...
- OSA's primary purpose here is to support the solvency of this program.
Summary:
The Pension Funding Council met on October 8 with introductions from council members and staff, then received a detailed presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on long-term economic assumptions and the state pension systems’ financial condition. OSA reported that the combined pension systems are currently 100% funded on a smoothed basis, with open plans above 95% funded, and that legacy Plan 1 systems remain on a path toward full funding under current policy. The actuaries recommended updating assumptions to 3% inflation, 3.5% general salary growth, and a 7.25% investment return, while keeping Plan 1 membership growth at 1%. They also explained asset smoothing, the role of recent strong investment returns, and the expected budget impacts of the recommended changes. Representatives from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the State Investment Board offered supporting perspectives, generally describing the assumptions as reasonable and consistent with their own outlooks.
The council also heard an overview of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (WACares) from DSHS and OSA. Program staff described the program’s social insurance structure, premium collection, benefit eligibility, and upcoming implementation milestones. OSA reported that the program’s first actuarial valuation showed a positive actuarial balance under the base scenario and recommended no change to the current 0.58% premium rate during the program’s early learning phase, noting that future changes would depend on experience and the program’s risk-management framework. OSA also said the recommendation would remain the same regardless of the outcome of the pending ballot measure affecting investment options.
During public comment, a representative of the Washington State School Retirees Association urged continued work on Plan 1 funding and related legislation, while the Association of Washington Cities cautioned against increasing pension assumptions in a way that could raise future employer costs and reduce flexibility for current local government services. In action, the council adopted a motion to maintain the current long-term economic assumptions by a 4-2 vote, adopted the recommendation to keep the WACares premium rate at 0.58% by a 6-0 vote, and then elected Katie Chapman as council chair by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Governmental Organization Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll hold it open. We will hold the roll open for the next members that are joining us.
- We'll hold it open. We will hold the roll open for the next members that are joining us.
- Hold it open. This bill has nine votes. Thank you so much. That's nine. Hold it open.
- We’ll hold it open. We will hold the roll open for those that are absent.
- We’ll hold that open. Thank you, we’ll hold the roll open for absent members.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- But you really need to listen with an open mind and heart about our world.
- Our world is quiet, it's struggling, and I hope you listen with an open heart.
- An open heart. Right now, this is about H. 3946.
- Education of primary care providers: Section 2 of the bill calls for a training curriculum for primary
- It should be open to chiropractic, physical therapy, massages should be open in a big way so that we
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken.
The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- As a reminder, primary witnesses in support are those designated by the author.
- We'll open for absent members. Thank you.
- Seeing none, anybody in the room who is a primary witness in opposition?
- and you, I think, boldly said this doesn't open up any loopholes.
- We'll keep it open for the Senate members. Thank you.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> It's very transparent. um it's very open It's very transparent. um it's very open for<00:10:58.480
- Egg land's primary purpose should be agriculture production.
- Egg land's primary purpose and ranchers.
- So again, primary production of egg. So again, thank<00:17:04.640><c> you.
- So our primary out of the equation.
Keywords:
biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The measure has a vote, but we'll leave the roll open for added members.
- We'll leave the roll open for... Thank you. The both items have the votes.
- We'll leave the roll open for absent members.
- Opening the roll for Assembly Member B. 1593, Dixon, Berman. Aye. Berman, aye.
- Can we open the roll up for Assembly Member McKinner, please? Opening the roll on AB 1593. Alvarez.
Summary:
The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee at first because quorum was not initially present, then later established quorum and proceeded with votes. Assembly Member Dixon presented AB 1593, which would require state agencies that impose monetary charges, including fees, to annually report on their websites the revenue generated from those charges as a transparency measure. The bill was described as having no opposition and was framed as improving public accountability and fiscal visibility.
The committee also considered consent items AB 1719 (Ward) and AB 1754 (Pacheco), both of which were moved together and sent to the Committee on Appropriations on consent. Later, Assembly Member Lowenthal presented AB 1982, which would remove the sunset on existing laws requiring Type 48 licensees, such as bars and nightclubs, to provide drink-spiking test strips/devices and lids upon request and post notice of their availability. Supporters said the measure helps prevent drug-facilitated sexual assault and other crimes, improves nightlife safety, and is a practical, low-burden prevention tool; no opposition testimony was offered.
All three measures received favorable committee votes. AB 1593 was passed as amended to Appropriations, AB 1719 and AB 1754 were passed to Appropriations on consent, and AB 1982 was passed to Appropriations. Several members requested to be added as coauthors, and the meeting then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- or they're the primary caretaker of a sibling.
- or they're the primary caretaker of a sibling.
- or they're the primary caretaker of a sibling.
- or they're the primary caretaker of a sibling.
- </c> example they might be the primary example they might be the primary translator<00:05:16.479><c>
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/28/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to open for biomarker testing.
- </c> In those years, she went to her primary In those years, she went to her primary care<00:35:33.359
- </c> the parking lot after I saw my primary the parking lot after I saw my primary care<01:21:14.560>
- It's open. >> I'm ready. >> Yeah. >> So, we're going to open up the hearing to SP 646FN and hear from
- </c><02:21:40.000><c> It's</c><02:21:40.160><c> open.</c> Hey, you ready? It's open.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jun 3rd, 2026
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 12, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the panel, if I did not pronounce your name correctly, please correct me when you have your opening
- We've also prioritized access in our primary care facilities and services, from young babies who might
- Members, we're going to open it up to questions now.
- So these were patients coming from primary care.
- These were patients coming from primary care offices or other locations, not just the emergency room
Summary:
The committee held a panel discussion focused on how Florida health care organizations are working to improve access, quality, and affordability. Panelists from Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems, Sunshine Health, AdventHealth, UF Health, and Nemours described their approaches, including Medicaid managed care, value-based contracting, community partnerships, mobile screening units, smart-room technology, telehealth, and specialized programs for maternal health, children, and complex chronic conditions. Several speakers emphasized that managed care and coordinated care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs.
Members asked about the impact of Medicare’s V28 changes, mobile cancer screening, urgent care versus emergency room billing, pediatric specialty access, complaint resolution, Black maternal mortality, provider shortages, network adequacy, and the use of AI in prior authorization. Witnesses said V28 has affected providers and revenue, UF Health’s mobile screening program is expanding beyond a few cancer types, and its urgent care model bills patients at the appropriate level rather than both urgent care and ER rates. Nemours said it reduced specialty wait times through scheduling changes, telemedicine, and registry tools, while AdventHealth described postpartum coordination and maternal heart programs to reduce maternal complications and mortality.
On complaints and access problems, panelists said their organizations use patient/member advocates, care managers, call centers, and escalation processes to resolve issues, and Sunshine Health specifically discussed a transportation complaint that was addressed with its vendor and the family. Sunshine Health also said it is not using AI for prior authorization, though it is exploring responsible uses elsewhere, and Florida Community Care said it is not using AI in utilization management. In closing, panelists identified workforce shortages, provider burnout, and high-cost drugs as the biggest ongoing challenges. The meeting ended with thanks to the panel and adjournment after Representative Brackett moved to rise, without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee May 6th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- A loss of revenue would be a problem, and so we're open to working.
- They power medical devices, and they allow businesses to stay open.
- It means businesses can keep their doors open.
- SB 1137 opens that door for a lot of other people.
- Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Please approach the mic.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Sep 16th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And the primary metric there is the program funded ratios and tracking that over time.
- Different assumptions for the open versus closed plans. We look at relevant data.
- They primarily impact the open plans, so your PERS 2, your PERS 3...
- They primarily impact the open plans, so your plans 2, your plans 3.
- So, bigger picture, this is impacting the open plans.
Summary:
The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states.
The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans.
Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting.
Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.
CA