Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Pharmacist Association's proposed amendments clarifying definitions of contracting pharmacy and maximum
• allowable cost lists.
• Limit the ability to carry forward any excess credit to a maximum of five years, and add language to
• years following the effective date of that rate increase and blank the specified percentage cap on allowable

Bills: SB2088, SB2925, SB3263, SB2047, SB2087, SB2100, SB2268, SB2353, SB2781, SB2902

Keywords: coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, agriculture, biosecurity, environment, coconut rhinoceros beetle, student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, drug pricing

Summary: The joint committee on Ways and Means and Consumer Protection met for decision-making only on two agendas and took action on a large number of Senate bills, with no oral testimony heard. On the 1016 agenda, the committee recommended passage of measures including SB 2088, SB 2925, SB 2781, and several others, and passed a number of bills with amendments. Notable amendments included SB 3263, which adopted AG amendments related to the name, image, and likeness endowment trust fund; SB 2047 on pharmacy benefit managers, which incorporated Hawaii Pharmacist Association changes; SB 2087 on health insurance, which added Insurance Division clarifications; SB 2100 on pesticides, which added a blank appropriation; SB 2353 on outdoor signage, which removed provisions related to the Wiki special district; and SB 2902 on renewable energy, which clarified certification standards for portable solar devices and exempted them from certain disclosure requirements. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though a few members noted reservations on selected bills. The committee also deferred one bill on the agenda, SB 3327. The committee then moved to the 1015 agenda and acted on additional measures. SB 2003 was passed with amendments tied to Act 255, including a repeal trigger if deadlines are missed; SB 2497 on utility-related transparency drew the most discussion, with one member warning about litigation and costs while another argued it was simply about electricity-rate transparency, and it ultimately passed with PUC-related amendments and an exemption for utility cooperatives. Other measures were passed unamended or with technical or fiscal amendments, including bills affecting land planning, tax credits, conveyance tax language, shoreline maintenance, and community improvement projects. Several bills had appropriations blanked or effective dates deferred to 2050, and many were adopted with members noting reservations rather than opposition. On the 1017 agenda, the committee continued approving measures, including SB 709 on crisis intervention officers and assisted community treatment, SB 2153 on defining bona fide farmer/agriculture activity, SB 2694 on water rate adjustments, SB 3025 on income eligibility limits, and SB 3085 on the Hawaii film studio, which included a five-year repeal provision if the studio has not relocated. The committee also passed numerous other bills unamended or with technical amendments, often deferring effective dates or blanking appropriations. Across both agendas, the committee’s actions were largely consistent: bills were advanced with amendments tailored to agency requests, technical corrections, or fiscal adjustments, and votes were generally unanimous or near-unanimous with occasional reservations recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it allows EMS is treat in place.
• The cost of the study, we said, not to exceed $50,000.
• So my question is, what will be the cost to the consumer?
• you know, end up costing the consumer?
• cost to the<00:10:36.959> consumer?

Bills: SB9, HB400, SB9, HB400

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• allowable cost basis.
• It allows contracting pharmacies to reverse and rebill claims if a maximum allowable cost is denied on
• John Carmichael: Good evening... rebill claims if a maximum allowable rebill claims if a maximum allowable
• But we feel that allows them to make a decision about their treatment plan as well as the potential cost
• But we feel that allows them to make a decision about their treatment plan as well as the potential cost

Bills: SB2433, SB2047, SB2425, SB3045, SB2761, SB3001, SB2852, SB2471

Keywords: condominium governance, education trust fund, unit owners, real estate, dispute resolution, financial obligations, community representation, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, transparency, drug pricing, insurance commissioner, contracting pharmacies, healthcare, substance use disorder, SUD, addiction treatment, behavioral health, mental health, rehabilitation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.

Bills: SB874, SB2098, SB2110, SB2126, SB2154, SB2160, HB818, SB2047, SB2116, SB2246, SB2250, SB2334, SB2505, SB2520, SB2561, SB2721, SB2820, SB2971, SB3019

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, Hawaii agriculture, plant propagation, conservation, soil health, climate change, food security, small farmers, technical assistance, Hawaii, grant program, small farms, midsize farms

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, students are only allowed to receive a single reimbursement for certification exam
• costs.
• HB 1061 removes that cap, allowing students to receive more than what they need.
• For students, it only allows one reimbursement for examination costs.
• This allows other CTE examination costs to be reimbursed for teachers.

Bills: HB 1061, HB2800

Keywords: education, teacher certification, cost subsidies, public school funding, career and technology education, reimbursement, subsidy, education funding, student subsidies, cost reimbursements, public school finance, public school, examination fees, apprenticeship, workforce development, career education, high school students, technical education, employment, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• resolutions don't if<00:20:44.960> resolutions<00:20:45.679> don't<00:20:46.000> allow
• <00:20:46.960> for<00:20:48.159> um if resolutions don't allow for appropriations of
• the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the best paths to maximize cost
• members, Maria to on behalf of Michelangelo, we will stand on our written testimony with comments. cost
• reduction and minimize financial cost reduction and minimize financial risk<00:25:16.640> to<

Bills: SCR96, SCR109, SCR164, SCR172, SCR166

Keywords: electric reliability, renewable energy, interconnection, Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, Public Utilities Commission, capacity shortfalls, energy policies, mail-order pharmacy, insurance, healthcare access, chronic disease management, cost savings, rural access, emergency healthcare, patient adherence, critical infrastructure, foreign influence, local control, energy dependence, economic resilience

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to utilities, pharmacy access, critical infrastructure, and energy policy. STR 96 SD1 asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to report on the progress of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator; the PUC offered written comments and the measure later advanced as is. STR 109 SD1 urged the insurance commissioner to study expanding mail-order pharmacy use. Testimony was split: DCCA’s insurance division, HMSA, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the study, while Shipa and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association opposed it, arguing mail-order pharmacy is already available and that in-person pharmacist counseling should be preserved. The measure was ultimately deferred. The committee also heard STR 164 SD1 on protecting Hawaii’s critical infrastructure from foreign influence. Greenpeace Hawaii and 350 Hawaii strongly supported the resolution, framing it as a consumer protection and resilience measure tied to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local food and energy systems. No opposition was presented, and the resolution was moved out as is. STR 172 SD1 HD1 directed the PUC to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ways to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk while meeting state goals. DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered comments, and Earthjustice supported the measure; it was also advanced as is. For STR 166 SD1, which concerns how the PUC should evaluate generational energy commitments, DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC provided comments, while 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others opposed any move toward LNG, arguing it would harm ratepayers and conflict with Hawaii’s renewable goals. After discussion, the committee amended the resolution to add language directing the PUC to evaluate any LNG or other imported-fuel proposal for its potential effects on or delays to the state’s renewable portfolio standards, including the 2045 deadline. The amended resolution then passed, and the committee adjourned.

Bills: SB 483, SB 522, SB 783, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1762, SB 1856, SB 1877, SB 1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Bills: SB 483, SB 522, SB 783, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1762, SB 1856, SB 1877, SB 1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• The GUIC may allow a utility to recover such costs outside of a fully litigated rate case that can be
• The GUIC may allow a utility to recover such costs outside of a fully litigated rate case that can be
• A tracker like GUIC allows for faster recovery and true up their cost to actual.
• A tracker like GUIC allows for faster recovery and true up their cost to actual.
• A tracker like GUIC allows for faster recovery and true up their cost to actual.

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If this goes through, it would be allowed. It would be counted toward your deductible.
• That will allow us to reach out to Deloitte Consulting, our insurance consultant, to provide an updated
• session, this fiscal note would be irrelevant because it would be part of it, it would go to the maximum
• I didn't know what the cost would be, but the Agriculture Commissioner has contracted with some firms
• And so they'll subtract benefits and give it a negative cost-benefit ratio.

Bills: SB2271, HB1216

Keywords: adult residential facilities, care services, Medicaid, payment rates, elderly care, health services, North Dakota, prescription drugs, drug affordability, copay assistance, copayment accumulator, deductible accumulator, out-of-pocket maximum, health insurance, health benefit plan, self-insured health plan, self-funded plan, third-party payment, manufacturer assistance, patient assistance program

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later. House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum. House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill adds cost and not savings. Hawaii. Bill adds cost and not savings.
• costs and not direct utility costs. costs and not direct utility costs.
• costs, and risks. In a way, we don't costs, and risks.
• allowed revenues based on consideration of the utility's costs.
• of the utility's costs. of the utility's costs.

Bills: SB3326

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, by consolidating payments, the program aims to lower administrative costs and reduce overall costs
• And finally, this program creates more. by allowing individuals to know the exact cost of their surgical
• There are no other costs added to it.
• This allows you to go around that and just see if it makes sense.
• This comes out to $14,750 per person for medical costs.

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at our testimony, you can see just the costs that are related to generation.
• <00:01:42.600> that<00:01:42.760> are can see the just the costs that are can see the
• just the costs that are related<00:01:43.280> to<00:01:43.400> generation.
• <00:02:03.080> uh<00:02:03.240> generation most uh cost-effective uh generation most
• And then thirdly, the bill doesn't clearly define operational oversight, maintenance, and cost.

Bills: HCR202

Keywords: Hawaii, renewable energy, task force, energy independence, cost savings, decarbonization, public utilities, stakeholders, clean energy goals, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection heard HCR 202 HD2, a resolution creating a task force to study Hawaii’s electric generation mix and related costs. Testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office was neutral and stood on written comments, while another testifier supported the resolution, emphasizing affordability, reliability, and the need to understand the right balance of thermal generation and renewables as the state moves toward its 2045 renewable goals. The chairs said they had conferred on the measure and outlined recommended amendments, including adding study of the separation of ownership and control of generation versus transmission and distribution, and adding Senate committee representation to the task force. The Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection committee voted to pass HCR 202 HD2 with amendments; the chair, vice chair, and another member voted aye, with one senator excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee did not have quorum at that time and said it would take its vote later. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also heard HCR 165, concerning pickleball courts in Hawaii Kai. One resident testified in opposition, citing concerns about permanent lights, permanent nets, noise, light pollution, safety, maintenance, and the loss of multi-use flexibility. After discussion, the chair recommended passing the measure as is, and the committee said it would vote the next day because it lacked quorum. The committee also heard HCR 154 and HCR 43 with the Transportation Committee; HCR 154 was passed unamended, and HCR 43, which urged raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary School for pedestrian safety, was also passed unamended. Supporters of HCR 43 described heavy pedestrian traffic, schoolchildren crossing, and unsafe vehicle turning patterns at the intersections. The Transportation Committee adopted both recommendations, while the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee scheduled its votes for the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I want to thank the committee for allowing me to testify this morning.
• I'm glad to answer any questions and will allow any witnesses to testify at your request.
• For example, Texas Labor Code section 410 allows an administrative law judge to award benefits to an
• The total cost of this would likely not exceed $100 to $200 per year of service.
• It helps us offset those costs after we retire for these cancers. I appreciate your consideration.

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:10.720> For could add to customer costs. For could add to customer costs.
• There's a lot of costs to that.
• There's a lot of costs to that.
• There's a lot of costs to that.
• cost the rate $1.4 billion. Correct. cost the rate $1.4 billion. Correct.

Bills: SB3326, SB2911

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, intoxicating liquor, direct shipment, breweries, distilleries, Hawaii, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 3001 on artificial intelligence in a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Labor and Technology hearing. Testimony included support from the Department of Education and Google, comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office, and late opposition from Agentic LLC. The Attorney General raised constitutional and vagueness concerns and suggested clarifying amendments, while Google said the bill’s risk-based approach and proposed amendments could help establish industry-wide safety standards for minors. The committees recessed and then voted to pass SB 3001 with amendments, adopting DCCA/OCP recommendations on data minimization for minors and UDAP clarity, the Attorney General’s proposed clarifications and deletions, and Google’s nonconflicting amendments; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. The vote passed unanimously among members present, with some members excused. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then took up several previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2045 on combat sports passed with amendments reflecting DCCA and boxing commission recommendations, including clarifying the on-site medical professional requirement, reporting duties, promoter payment, removal of the combat sports registry and ambulance requirement, and other technical changes; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. SP 2347 on the residential landlord-tenant code passed with amendments striking landlord requirements so OCP could work on a multilingual tenant-rights notice, and SP 2495 on consumer protection passed with amendments requiring OCP to publish an annual report on potential code violations. SB 2777 on insurance was deferred to February 17, 2026 for further decision-making. At a later CPN decision-making agenda, SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons, passed with amendments clarifying the preamble, removing language about foreign artificial persons, and making other consistency and non-substantive changes; both effective dates were moved to January 1, 2027. SP 2033 on renewable energy also passed with amendments clarifying the definition of grid-ready homes, cost-sharing provisions, applicability to interconnecting customers, and safety/certification compliance, with the effective date deferred to July 1, 2050. In each case, the committee voted to adopt the recommendations without objections from members present. The committees also heard SB 3000 on insurance, which would authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions to recover costs and losses tied to climate-attributable harm and future climate risk, including costs incurred by state insurance-related entities. The Insurance Division and Attorney General’s office offered comments seeking clarification and warning about redundancy, implementation issues, possible representation of private insurers, and concurrent litigation concerns. Supporters, including the Center for Climate Integrity, a resident testifier, Sierra Club, and Green America, argued the bill would help shift insurance costs to fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms and address rising premiums and nonrenewals in Hawaii. Opponents, including the American Petroleum Institute, argued the bill singled out one industry, raised constitutional concerns, and should be deferred because related climate litigation is already pending. The transcript ends with the committee continuing testimony and discussion on SB 3000 and then moving into SB 3326 on energy, where the consumer advocate and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s proposed separation of generation from transmission and distribution, while the PUC stood on written testimony, Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported it, and Life of the Land raised concerns about assumptions and the need for more substance.

Transcript Highlights:

• 59.599> increment<00:03:00.160> districts<00:03:00.720> in So, this bill would allow

Bills: HB308, HB308

Keywords: elections, voter registration, publishing requirements, cost-saving, transparency, property tax exemption, senior citizens, Mobile County, tax legislation, constitutional amendment, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a cost-of-living increase to survive. Thank you.
• Housing costs have soared, and basic necessities have become harder to afford.
• The last time Texas retirees received a cost-of-living adjustment, a gallon of gas cost $1.60.
• And when these workers leave, it costs all of us.
• The last time Texas retirees received a cost-of-living adjustment, a gallon of gas cost $1.60.

Keywords: Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session

Summary: The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• It's about $67,000, so that's purely OGB costs.
• There's no state cost, no defrayal, or other state costs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to move... ...cost, no defrayal or other state costs.

Bills: HB591, HB766

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, cancer treatment, anti-cancer medications, health insurance, copayment, cost-sharing, health policy, 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law also, it allows for various procedures and reporting requirements for organizations
• The markup can be no more than 16.99% of the cost of merchandise plus freight cost.
• This bill is going to provide that the term cost of merchandise shall only include the amount the board

Bills: SB289, HB395

Keywords: economic development, tax credits, local organizations, Growing Alabama Act, infrastructure improvements, intermodal facilities, agricultural centers, liquor, mark up fee, Alcoholic Beverage Control, wholesale sales, state regulation, cost of merchandise, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3748 simply allows the department to reimburse its employees for lost or damaged property.
• This allows the Family and Protective Services to reimburse certain among its Senator West: employees
• Unfortunately, members, this bill allows the reimbursement up to Senator West: $5000 and the reality
• This allows the agency to reimburse. Senator West: Senator Hall, so this mostly—this is civil.
• I think that Senate rules allow a senator to testify on bills without registering.

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas