Transcript Highlights:

• Buxon, Roxanne, an act to amend Title 30 of the Delaware Code relating to the exclusion of military pensions
• Senator Holoski, an act to amend Title 30 of the Delaware Code relating to exclusion of military pensions
• Right now, military retirees can subtract up to $12,500 of their pension income from their taxable income
• designed to make Delaware more attractive to military retirees by reducing the tax burden on their pension
• spouses have been in the military and both retired from the military, to have a $25,000 military pension

Bills: SB219, SB9

Keywords: military pension, military retirement pay, veterans, retiree tax relief, income tax exemption, pension exclusion, Delaware income tax, retirement income, state tax subtraction, armed forces retirement, National Guard, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA, Public Health Service, taxable income, Title 30, Section 1106, wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met to hear several bills, with members repeatedly reminded to focus on fiscal impacts rather than policy merits. The committee first considered SB 9 on freshwater wetlands, which would combine tidal and non-tidal wetlands programs into one permitting framework; supporters said the bill resulted from a two-year consensus process and that the governor’s office and DENREC would absorb a significant share of the cost. Public testimony was largely supportive, emphasizing flood control and ecosystem services, though one speaker opposed the spending. The committee voted to release SB 9. The committee then heard SB 278 on child care assistance, which would preauthorize summer camp for eligible school-age children and create a separate lower co-payment for half-day care. The sponsor and the YMCA of Delaware said the change would better align family co-pays with provider reimbursement and make before- and after-school care more affordable for working families. The committee also released SB 278, SB 168 on alcohol delivery for package stores, SB 120 on health insurance coverage for certain testing and treatment, and HB 4, a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools; HB 4 was described as having a near-$3 million fiscal note and a one-year implementation delay because it was not funded in the budget. Later, the committee approved SB 219, which gradually increases the military pension income tax exclusion from $12,500 to $25,000 over three years and includes related joint-filing and residency changes. Supporters argued it would help attract and retain military retirees and bring federal dollars into the state. The committee also released SB 1, a major primary care reform bill that would increase primary care spending and implement hospital payment reforms, with projected long-term savings to the state employee health plan, and SB 325, which expands background checks and wrap-back monitoring for fire service personnel and adds an investigator position for the Fire Prevention Commission. In each case, public commenters and committee members generally supported the bills, and all were released from committee by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So once they receive 20 years of full service, start drawing their pension, their pension check would
• other pension systems, we, to keep the pension system whole, we have made... ...to keep the pension
• Depending on per pension, or your per pension fund, I think the total of all the pension funds for increase
• Chase Rankin with the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System.
• No other pension.

Bills: HB1784, HB1245, HB1268, HB2116, HB2193, HB2206, HB1739, HB1889, HB1904, HB3172, HB4225, HB4352, HB3625, HB4263

Keywords: education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee.
• In other pension systems, to keep the pension system whole, we have made the employer continue to pay
• into that pension system to keep it whole.
• Depending on per pension, or per pension fund, I think, depending on per pension or per pension fund,
• Chase Rankin with the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System.

Bills: HB1784, HB1245, HB1268, HB2116, HB2193, HB2206, HB1739, HB1889, HB1904, HB3172, HB4225, HB4352, HB3625, HB4263

Keywords: education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS

Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee heard a series of retirement, banking, and school finance bills after announcing that several measures would be laid over or sent back to Rules and that the committee would recess briefly because of quorum and scheduling conflicts. The chair also explained the committee’s OPLA/safe-harbor process for pension bills and noted that many of the measures would still need oversight and floor consideration. Among the bills advanced were HB 1245, allowing certain DHS CLEET-commissioned agents to join the law enforcement retirement system; HB 4352, helping people refinance homes or businesses while protecting lenders; HB 4263, giving certain retired teachers who go to work for CareerTech a choice between TRS and OPERS; HB 1268, creating a five-year DROP option for EMTs and county sheriffs in OPERS; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision in the law enforcement retirement system for OHP recruitment and retention; HB 2116, expanding OLERS eligibility to certain Office of State Fire Marshal officers; HB 2206, allowing newly hired school resource officers into OLERS; HB 3625, expanding school district investment options; HB 1889, providing a catch-up COLA for older police and fire retirees; and HB 1784, requiring TRS’s assumed rate of return not fall below its past 20-year annualized return. HB 3172, the “Fair Banking Act,” would restrict adverse actions by very large financial institutions based on lawful economic activity and require explanations on request; members asked whether it would affect Oklahoma banks and whether it mirrored a presidential executive order. HB 2193 proposed a COLA for state retirement systems with caps on eligible benefits and salaries, and members raised concerns about differing actuarial estimates and the need for more work before oversight. Most bills were reported out by committee votes ranging from 8-0 to 4-3. The chair and members repeatedly noted that several measures, especially the pension bills, would need further work with actuaries and oversight committees. The meeting ended with a brief acknowledgment of committee staff and support personnel before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Premiums for health insurance are reimbursed by the LEO retirement pension fund.
• And in context, the total pension plan of LEOs is about $27.5 billion.
• And in context, the total pension plan of LEOs is about $27.5 billion. Now, the debt.
• The pension plan of LEOs is about $27.5 billion.
• That is not a sustainable or reasonable solution to litter and environmental degradation.

Bills: HB1607, HB2159, HB2441, HB2521, HB2531, HB2543

Keywords: recycling, waste reduction, environmental policy, sustainability, municipal regulations, preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, HB 2441, line of duty death, survivor benefits, medical insurance premium reimbursement, surviving spouse, domestic partner, dependent children, public employee death benefits, retirement system, Washington State

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if you pass this into law, all pensions, no matter what your pension is, it's opening up the
• So please leave the pension system alone, because if it's not us, it's going to be the next pension.
• fund for non-pension purposes.
• The state and federal laws say pension funds are for the benefit of the pension members.
• Regarding pension investments, heed them.

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services will come to order.
• These changes ensure the Fund remains fair, sustainable, and responsive to the people who have earned
• The Fund is very much like a pension fund and is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees, funded
• This is a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board that clarifies existing requirements.
• First, the bill would require the Pension Review Board...

Bills: HB3014, HB3109, HB3126, HB3474, HB3594

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Many participants in these plans serve long careers and build substantial pensions.
• The state actuary indicates there would be no impact on the pension funds. Excellent.
• During the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, those protecting-the-pension-funds type of activities, like legal
• and medical costs, were allowed to be paid out of those earnings on the pension funds.
• So this bill should not advance in its present form until such time as sustainable...

Bills: HB2124, HB2125, HB2160, HB2179

Keywords: retirement, lump sum payment, financial security, pension reform, monthly benefits, retirement system, investment earnings, trust funds, public pensions, financial management, education, benefits, school employees, membership eligibility, employment, public employees, port workers, federal retirement plan, pension, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• The current requirements are sufficient to meet the growth opportunities in the state in a sustainable
• We appreciate Representative Acom's leadership and desire for a balanced approach to sustainable data
• The data center industry is committed to being a collaborative stakeholder for sustainable data center

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• A project proposer may unknowingly choose a location with water availability or sustainability concerns
• We appreciate Representative Aim's leadership and desire for a balanced approach to sustainable data
• for sustainable data center development<00:25:54.559><c> in</c><00:25:54.799><c> Minnesota.
• :18.640><c> for</c> building a sustainable future for building a sustainable future for Minnesota<00:

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're saying this now aligns with the pension board's commissions?
• . ...resolutions came from Republican-managed state pensions.
• Texas teachers in 2022, they wanted to tie pension investments to something in a pro-life Texas bill,
• And so I feel like this is really limiting the possible long view that our pensions could have.
• who do such a wonderful job, to be completely focused on return for the pension holders.

Bills: HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, employment restrictions, state officers, prohibited acts, government contracts, public service, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Insurance met and first passed House Bill 3057, which removes obsolete statutorily required reports identified in a Loft review to streamline agency reporting requirements. Senator Kirt asked whether any agency functions were being eliminated, and Senator Rader said some reporting-related functions would no longer be required, citing the organized retail crime task force final report as an example. The bill passed 7-0. The committee then unanimously confirmed Marla Tharp to another four-year term on the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, with members discussing her service, the system’s unfunded liability, and her long career in school administration. After that, House Bill 3279 passed 9-0. That measure raises the conflict-of-interest certification threshold to contracts of $25,000 or more, bars involved officers or employees from taking jobs with the winning contractor for one year, and clarifies that another person may sign for a director. Senators asked how broadly the restriction applies and whether the change addressed existing loopholes. House Bill 4428 also passed, 7-2, after debate and amendment. The bill directs pension boards and proxy advisors to focus on pecuniary factors in investment and proxy voting decisions, while limiting reliance on non-pecuniary considerations unless they affect financial risk or return. Amendments added language requiring entities to be headquartered and operate in the United States and aligned the bill’s investment-purpose language with existing statute. Senator Kirt opposed the measure, arguing it could unduly limit long-term considerations and proxy voting. Finally, House Bill 3420 passed 8-0. Described as part of a bipartisan effort informed by the state auditor and Loft, it makes several changes to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, including limiting pilot procurement testing to one year, removing flex benefit plan acquisitions from certain bidding exemptions, clarifying that professional services need not be bid, and posting sole-source and sole-brand reports on the OMES website instead of sending them to legislative leadership. Senators questioned several deletions and additions, and the author said the bill was intended to clean up procurement rules and reduce opportunities for waste or abuse.

Bills: HB41

Keywords: Firefighters' Retirement System, FRS, retirement board, board of trustees, firefighter pension, public pension, retirement system governance, active members, service credit, Professional Fire Fighters Association, PFFA, Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, fire chiefs, retirees, beneficiaries, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, board elections, vacancies, Louisiana retirement law

Transcript Highlights:

• Pension systems, and it requires that both the boards and any proxy advisors that they might use focus
• So you're saying this now aligns with the pension boards' missions. Thank you for the question.
• are to be made to the maximum pecuniary benefit of the pension holders and not be distracted by other
• maintain that authority and control over their pensions and not farm them out to entities that might
• who do such a wonderful job to be completely focused on return for the pension holders.

Bills: HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, employment restrictions, state officers, prohibited acts, government contracts, public service, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty

Transcript Highlights:

• based on fiduciary duties and not utilizing ESG or other DEI metrics, and votes for proxy of our pension
• But we, as lawmakers, understood that that wasn't sustainable or good for Oklahoma.
• Chairman, House Bill 3265 is a request from the police pension board. It's pretty simple.
• I'm the director of the police pension.
• There's a lot of pension bills that went out.

Bills: HB3041, HB4428, HB4429, HB1064, HB3265, HB3721, HB3028, HB3313, HB3588, HB3020

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Banking, Financial Services and Pensions.
• provide a written commitment to follow standards, making sure that any proxy advisors used in our pension
• But we also— But lawmakers understood that that wasn't sustainable or good for Oklahoma.
• House Bill 3265 is a request from the Police Pension Board. It's pretty simple.
• I'm the director of the police pension.

Bills: HB3041, HB4428, HB4429, HB1064, HB3265, HB3721, HB3028, HB3313, HB3588, HB3020

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee met and announced that several bills would be laid over, including HB 4225 and HB 4263, while also noting that actuarial follow-up reports on prior referrals were still being revised. The committee then worked through a long agenda, with members frequently noting schedule conflicts and the chair alternating between bills and committee business. The meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed, with the chair saying the committee would return the following week with a longer agenda, likely including additional pension bills. Several bills related to payment processing and pension governance were heard and passed. HB 3041 would allow merchants to pass along credit card surcharges up to the amount charged by the card company, with the author noting some businesses face fees of 4% to 5%; it passed 9-0. HB 4428 and HB 4429, both dealing with shareholder proxy advisors for pension funds, passed 8-1 and 9-0 respectively; supporters said the bills would require fiduciary standards and transparency, while the speaker referenced opposition from GreenAmerica.org as evidence of the bill’s value. HB 3028, which lets technology center districts and public schools pass on credit card service fees, also passed 7-0. The committee also advanced several pension-related measures. HB 3265, requested by the Police Pension Board, defines who qualifies as a mental health specialist for disability evaluations; testimony explained the change would let the board use psychologists because psychiatrists are harder to contract with, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 3721 would adjust the DROP benefit for public safety officers so surviving spouses can claim it if the officer dies before electing the option; the author said it has no actuarial cost, and it passed 7-0. HB 3313, a defined contribution retirement bill, would raise contribution levels, eliminate vesting delays, and add retirement planning and lifetime income options; members questioned whether it would affect retention or other retirement plans, and it passed 8-0. Other bills addressed creditors, housing, and financial exploitation. HB 3588, a Uniform Law Commission request bill on assignment for the benefit of creditors, was described as codifying existing case law and passed 8-0. HB 1064, which would restrict large institutional investors from buying single-family homes in Oklahoma, was amended in concept during discussion to narrow the hedge fund definition and remove a resale requirement; supporters framed it as protecting homeownership, while opponents raised concerns about restricting sales and the evidence for housing impacts, and it passed 5-2. Finally, HB 3020, the Protections for Financial Exploitation of Protected Adults Act, would let financial institutions place temporary holds and act in good faith when they suspect fraud against vulnerable adults; members asked about training and safeguards, and it passed 9-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• proposals, as well as to determine the amount of groundwater that could be produced annually on a sustainable
• proposals, as well as to determine the amount of groundwater that could be produced annually on a sustainable
• Texas is critical, not just for urban growth, but also for agricultural communities that feed and sustain
• Protecting our ability to produce food, maintain 311 ranching operations, and sustain local economies
• “So one of the previous witnesses talked about the maximum sustained pumping volume.

Bills: HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they need, but growth is also something that we really need to be looking at how did it do sustainably

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• , and 14% goes into the police pension.
• to fund these pensions.
• At least I mean, we're the ones that issue the rules on these pensions.
• But remember the condition our pension systems are in.
• We've got a $25 billion pension system. We're doing pretty good.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the lowest pension that there is.
• It's the lowest pension that there is.
• It's the lowest pension that there is.
• mechanism to fund these pensions.
• mechanism to fund these pensions.

Bills: SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm new to this space and the pensions.
• I've been in and the pensions.
• The 2025 pension bill has a Committee.
• </c> pension adjustment revenue line. pension adjustment revenue line.
• </c> General education aid pension adjustment revenue.

Bills: SF2884, HF1889

Keywords: pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability