Video & Transcript Research : 'Office of Personnel Management'

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US
Transcript Highlights:
  • of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan to be Deputy Director of the Management Department.
  • At the Office of Management and Budget.
  • The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, along with Elon Musk and
  • for Management at the Office of Management and Budget.
  • And a lot of people don't know a lot about the Office of personnel and management and the Office of Management
Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 27th, 2026 at 02:30 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • And third, it provides that state agencies must report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial
  • And third, it provides that state agencies must report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial
  • Management regarding processes, timeline. must report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial
  • timelines and resources to both the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial Management.
  • I'm with the Office of Independent Investigations.
Bills: HB2521, HB2249, HB1796
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This approach aligns with the federal standard the Office of Management and Budget adopted in 2024 for
  • Office of Grants Management is—yes. >> All right. Okay. Yep. OGM. >> Thank you.
  • We do have the Office of Grants Management here.
  • Office of Grants Management<00:28:07.480><c> is</c><00:28:07.600><c> Yes.</c> Management is Yes.
  • We we do have the Office of Grants<00:28:12.200><c> Management</c><00:28:12.680><c> here.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

State Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • With the support of the office, that increased to nine.
  • Of setting up a meeting with your office.
  • Department of Health. the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
  • Human Services Office of Inspector General.
  • State Personnel Management Improvements," which should explain to each of you the changes that are being
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • other public law and the salaries of other public law offices. offices. offices.
  • of our office, to On the non-legal side of our office, to meet<00:38:09.920><c> the</c><00:38:10.040
  • </c> needs of our office.
  • Uh we're proud of needs of our office.
  • </c><01:23:39.080><c> Management</c> 43A State Personnel Management 43A State Personnel Management statutes
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • > General</c><00:02:13.120><c> 40</c> Office of the Attorney General 40 Office of the Attorney General
  • Any questions from members of the committee for the Office of the Attorney General?
  • for the from members of the committee for the office<00:03:20.080><c> of</c><00:03:20.239><c> the</c
  • </c> office of the attorney general? office of the attorney general?
  • </c> office of claims and appeals. office of claims and appeals.
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Feb 16th, 2026 at 08:30 am

State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • of this office.
  • As some background, the Office of Financial Management maintains a classification plan for all positions
  • I'm Sherry Sawyer with the Office of Financial Management, here today to testify in support of House
  • This was a request from the Office of Financial Management, and so they may have more clear answers.
  • Sherry Sawyer, with the Office of Financial Management, here today to testify in support of Substitute
Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee heard gubernatorial appointments, several House bills, and one executive action. The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9066 and heard confirmation testimony from Megan Matthews, director of the Washington State Office of Equity, who described the office’s growth, statewide outreach, data work, and efforts to improve government access and accountability. Senator Hasegawa raised concerns about the Office of Equity’s relationship with ethnic commissions and whether the office was bypassing community voices; Matthews said the office works collaboratively with commissions and serves populations not represented by them. The committee also heard confirmation testimony from two Women’s Commission appointees, Reidi-Miu Hukopati and Kiana Daniels, both of whom emphasized advocacy for women and girls, survivors of violence, and equitable access to services. All three appointments were scheduled for later committee votes. The committee then heard House Bill 2309, which would prohibit civil service classification plans from requiring a postgraduate degree as the only way to show qualifications unless required by law. Supporters, including the sponsor, OFM, and public testimony, said the bill would remove barriers to state employment and broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2249 would add Washington Technology Solutions network and security systems employees to civil service; the sponsor said it would fix a narrow discrepancy affecting about 20 workers, while WOTEC argued exempt status is needed for hiring flexibility and rapid response to changing technology. Substitute House Bill 2411 would expand shared leave to cover employees affected by hate crimes or immigration enforcement actions involving themselves or family members; supporters said it would help workers facing serious disruptions, while one opponent warned of abuse and taxpayer costs. The sponsor and OFM said the program is voluntary and does not create new entitlements. The committee also heard engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916, which would tighten voter registration challenge procedures by requiring more specific evidence, separate filings for each challenged voter, penalties for false or baseless challenges, and new rules for county auditors reviewing and dismissing challenges and removing registrations. Supporters said the bill would curb mass challenges and protect eligible voters, especially naturalized citizens, voters of color, students, and people with disabilities; opponents argued it would make legitimate challenges too difficult and create vague standards. House Bill 2417 would extend victim rights under the Washington Code of Military Justice to match federal military justice protections, and the Military Department and veterans advocates supported it as a consistency and fairness measure. Finally, in executive session the committee approved Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which changes the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee membership and selection criteria, and voted it do pass to the Rules Committee.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, members, so for the emergency personnel provision, does not include a security officer.
  • The Office of Higher Education and Colleges are reporting that the roll out of applications may take
  • </c><01:06:15.280><c> The</c><01:06:15.520><c> Office</c><01:06:15.839><c> of</c><01:06:16.000><c> Higher
  • The Office of Higher bill language.
  • The Office of Higher Education<01:06:16.720><c> and</c><01:06:16.960><c> Colleges</c><01:06:17.359><c
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, the mail carrier there, uh, the mail clerk at the office was well aware of who he was.
  • </c> lot of people. lot of people.
  • The last item I'm reporting today is a lease modification for the Office of Legal Services for PR 5872
  • </c> as part of a of a combined sewer system. as part of a of a combined sewer system.
  • of an overview of kind of give you more of an overview of this<01:21:15.840><c> transaction.
Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Wed Apr 15, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:14:49.480><c> um</c> kind of a cohort of professionals um kind of a cohort of professionals um
  • the department in particular, the division of the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing, SHOS
  • the department, in particular the division of the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing, SHOS
  • </c><00:51:27.280><c> of</c> Director of the Department of Director of the Department of Corrections<
  • </c><00:53:15.240><c> of</c> testimony in support from the Office of testimony in support from the Office
Bills: SCR180
Summary: The committee opened by noting it was likely its last hearing of the 2026 session, then took up several resolutions. SCR 54, on appointing a hydrogen fire safety expert and training on hydrogen-related protocols, and SCR 59, on allowing certain health care professionals to practice without a license during a state of emergency, drew no testimony. Members discussed SCR 59 as a response to past emergencies and the need for pre-approved, updated registries of professionals who could be deployed quickly in emergencies. SCR 62 SD1, which asks the 911 Board to form a working group with the disability community to address access issues in emergency and 911 responses, received testimony from disability advocates and the 911 Board. Testifiers said the measure should ensure an integrated system with EMS infrastructure, real-time access for dispatchers and field personnel, and public education about the system; they also noted that Smart911 is no longer being used on Oahu and Maui and that a statewide, integrated approach is needed. Members agreed to work the suggested language into the resolution. SCR 179, urging Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, was noted as having no testimony but continuing to raise important issues. SCR 74, calling for an audit of no-bid contracts issued under emergency proclamations from 2020 through 2025, drew strong support from a late testifier who tied the measure to emergency procurement concerns after the Lahaina wildfire and COVID-era contracting. The witness argued that procurement rules should not be waived in ways that compromise safety, and described concerns about unlicensed contractors and construction problems in a state housing project. Members asked about the scope of the audit and whether it would interfere with criminal investigations; the witness said the audit should cover a broad range of contracts, including nonprofit contracts, and should not be limited to the wildfire period. The committee also heard SCR 28 SD1 on creating a Hawaii Vietnam Veterans Medal, with support from the Department of Defense and veterans advocates, who said the resolution is intended to do the groundwork for a future appropriation and to determine eligibility and distribution procedures. Finally, SCR 60 SD1, requesting updates on the “Breaking Cycles” rehabilitation and restorative justice study, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Correctional System Oversight Commission, and reform advocates. The department asked that reporting be annual rather than quarterly because of the complexity of the OCCC project, and supporters said the measure would promote transparency and help ensure the study’s recommendations are implemented. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • and</c> primary manager of this project and primary manager of this project and overseeing<00:19:38.640
  • Association of Personnel Executives.
  • Association of Personnel Executives.
  • Association of Personnel Executives.
  • Association of Personnel Executives.
Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance held its first meeting and heard a presentation from personnel cabinet officials on a major request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System, known as CHRIS, which currently handles HR, payroll, tax compliance, and health plan administration for state government and several local offices. Officials said the system supports payroll for about 48,000 employees, covers all three branches of government and 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and stores records for nearly 475,000 current and former users. They explained that SAP has said the system will reach end of life and lose support by 2030, creating risks around security, maintenance, and tax compliance if it is not replaced. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the replacement is needed not just as an upgrade but as a full system replacement, especially because the current platform no longer receives meaningful HR enhancements and will eventually lose security updates and tax tables. They also described the Kentucky Employees Health Plan as a major driver of the project, noting it serves nearly 300,000 covered lives, many school boards, pre-65 retirees, and more than 700 entities, with significant complexity in billing, premium collection, and regulatory compliance. Officials said the new system would help address current manual workarounds, support changing insurance rules, and better protect personally identifiable and health information. Members asked detailed questions about the $151 million request, including why the estimate had risen by more than $50 million, what would happen if the project missed the 2030 deadline, how progress would be tracked, how vendor costs were estimated, and what the largest cost components would cover. Officials said the increase was mainly due to inflation and changing requirements, and that there was no real backup plan if the replacement was not completed before support ends. They said the project would be managed through an RFP process expected in July 2026, with kickoff in January 2027 and go-live by July 2030, and that oversight would include an enterprise steering committee, monthly updates, and existing quarterly COT reporting to LRC. They also explained that the largest share of the request is for implementation and integrator services, with additional amounts for software licensing and hosting, independent verification and validation, dependent verification, FSA administration, and limited contract support, and that payments would be tied to deliverables and acceptance testing.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Since 2012, he served as the Cal Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians as their Director of Forest Management
  • The people in charge of managing risk understand that they need to get at this problem.
  • moment of crisis for our federal land management agencies.
  • The Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
  • our growth and we're not managing our forest and we... get any kind of level of forest fire.
Bills: HB471
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, part of the P3 process will uh entail having a third-party construction manager from the P3 partner
  • </c> voting on action of the of the first voting on action of the of the first one.<00:08:54.720><c>
  • </c> city of Flatwoods and the city of city of Flatwoods and the city of Greenup<00:15:00.639><c> will
  • of Financial Management.
  • of of I just I appreciate the process of of I just I wish<00:26:19.279><c> we</c><00:26:19.520><c> had
Summary: The committee met without a quorum for much of the meeting, so several agenda items were initially heard only for information. Early updates included six informational reports, such as an Auditor of Public Accounts compliance examination with no findings, university equipment and allocation reports, school district bond issuances, Western Kentucky University’s planned public-private partnership housing redevelopment, and quarterly Kentucky Communications Network Authority reports. Members then questioned WKU officials about the P3 housing project, including the number of RFQ responses, property tax responsibility, ownership of the student life foundation, and the status of repairs to residence halls. WKU said the foundation has owned the property since 2000, one hall would be razed or demolished at the end of the academic year, and repairs to the other two were expected to be completed by fall 2027. The committee also heard a Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources acquisition project for Mount River Farms in Wayne County and a Department of Corrections roof replacement project at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, but no votes were taken until a quorum was later established. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and four grant reallocations, including loan increases for Adair County Water District and the City of Harlan, new loans for Litchfield, Louisa, Southeastern Water Association, and Flatwoods, and grant reallocations under the Cleaner Water Program. Members asked about Harlan’s 30-year term and special condition requiring a revenue increase; KIA explained the longer term is reserved for disadvantaged communities and that the condition was meant to reinforce standard debt coverage requirements, while depreciation is reviewed but not included in cash-flow calculations. After a recess, Senator Thomas arrived and a quorum was reached. The committee approved the prior minutes and then took a consolidated vote on the action items, which passed. The final items included a Kentucky Economic Development Authority revenue bond refunding for CommonSpirit Health, several Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit and single-family bond issuances, a Western Kentucky University bond issuance, and SFCC debt issues. Members discussed the housing transactions, noting they are developer-financed and not subject to a traditional bidding process, and expressed concern about whether the process could produce more units for the same amount of money. The meeting adjourned after all information items were approved and the next meeting date was announced.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Jan 26th, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • officer or employee, current or former legally recognized foster children of a public employee or officer
  • The amendment also authorizes disclosure of the name of a law enforcement officer who is victimized in
  • the performance of official duties, Of the name of a law enforcement officer who is victimized in the
  • If the officer is not a victim of any crime, there would be no withholding of information.
  • She added that she does not know enough of the details of what happened to know whether or not that officer
Summary: The committee heard and voted on several measures. SB 308 on the Florida Museum of Black History was explained as implementing a prior task force recommendation by designating St. Johns County as the museum site, creating a board, and coordinating with a supporting nonprofit; it passed favorably. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability was amended to bar local governments from imposing cybersecurity requirements on vendors beyond generally accepted best practices, and after testimony both for and against, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 572 updated ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; after a technical amendment and support from the Ethics Commission, it passed unanimously. SB 1442 revised the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 1106, as amended by a strike-all, to require state agencies and certain educational materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” despite opposition arguing it would impose political language and conflict with federal and international terminology. SB 7020 reenacted a public records exemption for certain aquaculture and shellfish production records and passed with support from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. SB 474 expanded military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, including members of the Coast Guard and Florida State Guard, and added three amendments before being reported favorably. SB 350, dealing with public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement victims, was heavily amended to add time-limited confidentiality for an officer’s name in some cases and then passed favorably after discussion about balancing transparency and safety. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibilities from DMS to individual agencies, while still requiring data reporting to DMS for legislative oversight. SB 1650 by Senator Gates was temporarily postponed. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Second, it requires the Office of Equity to collaborate with certain groups to develop a proposal for
  • And third, it provides that state agencies must report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial
  • Management regarding processes, timelines, and necessary resources for implementation of those guidelines
  • certificate for a deceased candidate for an elective office of a city, town, or special purpose district
  • certificate for a deceased candidate for an elective office of a city, town, or purpose special purpose
Summary: The State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on February 24, 2026, for its final regular meeting of the session. The committee first re-briefed a large slate of bills and gubernatorial appointments, then recessed briefly before returning to executive session. Members also noted that two bills, House Bills 2574 and 2637, would not be moved that day. The committee unanimously recommended confirmation of four gubernatorial appointments: Megan Matthews (9066), Reedy Mukapade (9246), Kiana Daniels (9268), and Gauri Shratria (9267). During discussion on Matthews’ appointment, senators raised issues of inclusivity, data disaggregation, and outreach to diverse communities, while several members praised her engagement with contractors and communities across the state. The committee advanced numerous bills, generally on unanimous votes, with several striking amendments adopted. Those included changes to the Washington Voting Rights Act bills (HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, and HB 2123), voter registration challenge procedures, and election-related language. Other bills moved forward addressed military justice victim rights (HB 2417), replacing “alien” with “non-citizen” in state and local law (HB 2632, with the amendment withdrawn), shared leave for employees affected by hate crimes or immigration enforcement (HB 2411), civil service coverage for certain Washington Technology Solutions employees (HB 2249), language-accessible public services (HB 2475), higher small works roster limits (HB 2420), removing postgraduate degree requirements as the sole qualification standard (HB 2309), public records exemptions for firearm-related records (HB 2235), and privacy protections for personal information in agency records (HB 2637, not moved). The chair closed by thanking staff and adjourned the committee’s last meeting of the session.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the Department of Human Services, office of Inspector General and the Resident Care Specialist for
  • The director of the office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide the commission an itemized
  • personnel in coordination with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to carry out the duties
  • So, I'm trying to make sure I've got my head wrapped around the idea of evaluating and managing the personnel
  • So, I'm trying to make sure I've got my head wrapped around the idea of evaluating and managing the personnel
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026

Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 182 allows CLEET-certified law enforcement officers of the Department of Human Services Office
  • So agents in the Office of Inspector General perform duties similar to those of other law enforcement
  • the Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide the commission an itemized accounting
  • personnel in coordination with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to carry out the duties
  • So I'm trying to make sure I've got my head wrapped around the idea of evaluating and managing the personnel
Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Resources considered a series of retirement, pension, and state employee bills. Senate Bill 1870 would let small municipalities in OPERS with populations of 2,000 or less opt out for new employees; members questioned the fiscal impact and the bill passed 8-0 after the chair struck the title to get a clearer actuarial analysis. Senate Bill 1722 passed 9-0 and would require OMES construction contract fees to be based only on construction costs, not interior design and furnishings, with members discussing how to define those terms and whether historical or specialized projects could still be accommodated. Senate Bill 1639 passed 9-0 after an amendment removed provisions affecting the Indian Education Act commission, leaving a bill to repeal several dormant boards and commissions. The committee also passed Senate Bills 715 and 716, which would increase municipal contributions to firefighter and police pensions, respectively; members raised concerns about city budgets, and the sponsor said he was open to phasing in the increases. Senate Bill 182 passed 5-2 to add certain DHS Inspector General officers and OJA residential care specialists to hazardous duty retirement, and Senate Bill 609 passed 7-0 to allow police recruits to buy up to five years of prior out-of-state service credit as a recruitment tool. The committee then passed Senate Bill 169 5-2 to increase state employee longevity pay by 50%, with supporters citing high turnover and opponents warning about budget pressure and the need for broader raises. Senate Bill 134 passed 7-0 to shorten the waiting period for county employees to return to work from one year to six months. Senate Bill 432 passed 6-0 to raise volunteer firefighter pension benefits, and because it was double-assigned it would next go to Appropriations. Senate Bill 1407 passed 7-0 after an amendment requiring OMES to provide the Commission on the Status of Women an itemized accounting of funds; the bill generally clarifies staffing and financial reporting authority for the commission. Finally, Senate Bill 2039 passed 8-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill to military personnel who are also teachers and defining salary for buyback purposes; the sponsor said the measure would help service members return to teaching and buy back up to five years of credit. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1356 7-0, a broader OMES cleanup bill moving certain functions elsewhere, though members flagged concerns about relocating the state use program and the pay-for-success fund and suggested further study on those sections.