Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 11 by Senator Price and Representative Bacala provides for the funding of benefit increases
• Senate Bill 11 by Senator Price and Representative Bacala provides for the funding of benefit increases
• the direct funding to the permanent benefit account, like we spoke about in the last bill.
• That permanent benefit account is the pre-funding of COLAs or permanent benefits for our retirees to
• Act 124 of 2023 created the permanent benefit increase, which led to the end of the experience account

Bills: SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB416, SB455, SB456, SB477

Keywords: Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding

Summary: The Retirement Committee met on April 29, 2026, established a quorum, and heard a series of retirement-related bills, mostly cleanup or technical measures affecting various public retirement systems. SB 22 would extend Municipal Employees Retirement System eligibility to certain positions in the Second City Court constable’s office in New Orleans. SB 17 would create a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees’ retirement system. SB 455 would allow certain district and parish courts to participate in the Parochial Employees Retirement System. SB 456 would update compensation rules for assigned retired judges, and SB 8 would add the Louisiana Asset Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. All of these bills were described as aligning statutes with current practice or expanding participation options, and each was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard several Louisiana State Police retirement bills. SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases from 2.5% to 3.5%; and SB 12 would update membership and definition language to reflect the State Police Commission rather than the Civil Service Commission. SB 18 would repeal a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting roughly 30 current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 would update actuarial gain/loss and unfunded liability funding rules for school employees’ retirement and LASERS, respectively, in light of the new permanent benefit increase funding structure. Each of these bills was supported by system officials as cleanup or modernization measures and was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on education and return-to-work issues for teachers and public employees. SB 16 would reduce annual trustee training requirements for retirement system boards from 16 hours back to 12 hours, which witnesses said would better fit smaller systems and match the original intent of the law. SB 13 would similarly update TRSL’s actuarial funding rules after the sunset of the experience account. SB 14, based on a 2025 study work group, would consolidate and simplify TRSL return-to-work rules and expand options for retired teachers, with witnesses emphasizing teacher shortages and the need to retain experienced educators. All three were reported favorably. Finally, SB 416 would allow certain Department of Public Safety and Corrections retirees to return to critical shortage positions after one year, and SB 477 would classify the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee for retirement purposes. Both bills drew questions and discussion, especially SB 416, and both were reported favorably. The chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as communities find out the benefits that the program can provide.
• And not to have you completely repeat what we just went through, but for the benefit of those that couldn't

Bills: HB3126, HB3177, HB3311, HB3465, HB3786, HB3915, HB4333, HB4476, HB3403

Keywords: education funding, concurrent enrollment, school aid, Oklahoma State Regents, permanent school funds, higher education, revolving fund, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, community development, infrastructure, economic development, local government, financing, pooled finance, Oklahoma Emission Reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• The amounts for each rating band are raised to account for an estimated $11 million increase to PPD benefits
• c><00:24:53.919> agreed<00:24:54.240> upon increase to PPD benefits as agreed upon increase
• <00:25:23.200> by of workers compensation benefits by of workers compensation benefits by
• They're more They offer benefits.
• So that's a benefit to Minnesota.

Bills: HF4862, HF4598

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• This would increase grant funding to organizations that provide public service opportunities in priority
• workforce for increased AI utilization. workforce for increased AI utilization.
• :05:24.560> organizations increase grant funding to organizations increase grant funding to organizations
• And so it's not all<00:36:44.079> increases.
• In fact, it's a lot of all increases.

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Bills: HJR1086, SB392

Keywords: judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, permanent rules, legislative approval, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wildlife Department, which we are revoking, is a double regulation and serves no purpose but to increase

Bills: SJR49, HB3281, HB4319, HJR1086

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, legislative approval, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue Increase Revenue Increase Bill<00:01:41.960> is<00:01:42.080> in<00:01:42.160
• Thank you. is the actual educational benefit of a is the actual educational benefit of a suspension?
• actually increase costs over time. actually increase costs over time.
• increased from 1,800 to over 1,900. increased from 1,800 to over 1,900.
• <01:17:59.000> That numbers are increasing. That numbers are increasing.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• And that base salary may not increase but shall not decrease after... increase but shall not decrease

Bills: HB375, HB494, HB375

Keywords: pistol permits, Jefferson County, fees, public schools, fund distribution, tax collector, tax assessor, compensation, salary increase, 1136, house, all

Bills: HJR1101

Keywords: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana regulation, administrative rules, permanent rules, rule approval, joint resolution, legislative oversight, Title 75 Section 308, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 442, patients, caregivers, licensees, dispensaries, growers, processors

Summary: The committee met briefly to consider one item, H.J.R. 1101, a rule related to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority that had been left out of the Business and Commerce process because it was initially thought to be a major rule. The presenter explained that it was later determined not to be a major rule, but still needed committee action for the rule to take effect. After a motion, second, and no debate, the committee voted unanimously 9-0 to adopt it. After the vote, the chair told members that several additional Senate joint resolutions were still pending and were expected to arrive later that day, with action anticipated the next day or Thursday. He said he would try to keep the process within normal procedure rather than using a rule suspension, and would notify members when the items were ready. The chair also addressed a prior exchange involving the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission, saying he had met with the commission, apologized for using them as an example of agency frustration, and that they had since withdrawn their rules and would work on emergency rules to address the issue. With no further questions, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill specifies that a person or agent may not receive, agree to receive, or solicit any benefit,
• Even with this pay increase, it would still trail many comparable agencies by 17% to 50%.
• Fewer staff are doing more, increasing risk to employees, inmates, and the public.
• The 25% pay increase would raise it to $57,018. And the 5% would bring them to...
• in salaries and not... ...entirely to their increase in salaries and not into your profit margin?

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to introduce staff and pages, then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway and require signage; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it could affect existing freeway names, including the Ed Pastor Freeway. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for using an interactive computer service to facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and to require age verification for harmful sexual material; it passed 5-2 after a brief clarification about the law-enforcement defense. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include acts or threats causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; one public commenter opposed it as overbroad and anti-protest, but the bill still passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1058, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which would bar government firearm registries and restrict merchant category codes tied to firearm purchases. A firearms industry representative said the bill protects financial privacy, and it passed 4-3. SB 1035 would appropriate funds for a 5% salary increase for correctional officers and department civilians; the sponsor and correctional employee representatives said raises are needed for retention, while others argued the increase should also cover private prison employees to preserve parity. The committee adopted a Payne amendment extending the raise to private prison workers under contract with the department, and the amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It offers a more fair salary benefit.
• <00:32:18.120> of<00:32:18.320> the the benefits of the the benefits of the program
• I didn't want to um have the increased I didn't want to um have the increased uh<00:38:04.280>
• <00:40:08.040> from are likely receiving the benefit from are likely receiving the benefit
• perhaps or for other wage increases perhaps or for other benefits<01:21:37.880> that<01:21:38.040

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• only thing I would add is that... ...on appraisals that shows, I think, consumers that it tends to increase
• The findings showed an increase between $2,100 and $5,900 more than the insurer's initial offer.
• Our records show that for repair procedure appraisal disputes, the average increase is $6,500 in particular
• Total loss claims showed an average increase of $3,900.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't work to the benefit of the physicians.
• The Texas Fair Plan continues to see an increase in premiums.
• Because it just increases the cost of insurance. I think— and that's a good point.
• This bill is about increasing access to life-saving treatment.
• It is a very limited health benefit plan, again, not health insurance.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Bills: HB595, HB583

Keywords: boundary alteration, corporate limits, Madison County, City of New Hope, local government, sheriff compensation, salary increase, law enforcement, elected officials, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . benefits, slowing benefit payments, and reducing costs at the expense of beneficiaries.
• We want to increase the solvency and increase the benefits. Is it a good idea?
• Bisognano, is that a benefit cut? Is that a benefit cut? I'm sorry, my time is limited here.
• Is it a benefit cut?
• He has said we are not going to cut Medicare benefits, and we are not. going to cut Medicaid benefits

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a request from them to increase...
• There's a request from them to increase... We have a motion from Senator Hatcher.
• Notwithstanding this section or any other provision of this chapter, the increases in fees under section
• :28:35.760> the other provision of this chapter, the other provision of this chapter, the increases
• in fees under section 12-9-90 increases in fees under section 12-9-90 provided<00:28:40.320> by

Bills: SB249, SB259, HB67, HB214

Keywords: municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees

Transcript Highlights:

• The upcode levels have increased.
• But instead of what they would say, I would argue it's because of increased visits, increased intensity
• It also increases their chances of receiving a life-saving kidney transplant.
• I'm aware of one rate increase during that time.
• My understanding is, historically, we've only had that one increase.

Bills: HB1464, HB1635, HB2516, HB3317, HB3502, HB4012, HB4268, HB4386, HB4877, SB916

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So this bill says it increases the homestead exemption to 56,400. What is it currently?

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:49.120> school detail in the actual permanent school detail in the actual permanent
• <00:32:38.880> school circumstances of the permanent school circumstances of the permanent
• expected, the formula would increase expected, the formula would increase increase<00:36:14.720>
• for a fund like this, the permanent for a fund like this, the permanent school<00:46:40.000>
• from the permanent school districts from the permanent school fund,<00:54:35.440> which<00:54

Bills: HF3900

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Our 340B benefit—and people ask for transparency—our 340B benefit...
• How is it going to benefit the program? How is it going to benefit the beneficiaries?
• Why do we have no benefits?"
• No benefit for the agent. Yeah, so no benefit for the agent to do something unscrupulous.
• A health benefit plan on page three, a health benefit plan issuer that provides prescription drug benefits

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury