Transcript Highlights:

• What 142 does it establishes a special kind of account for portable special kind of account for portable
• special kind of account for portable benefits.
• as far as what a portable benefit is.
• So many of the without benefit is. So many of the without benefit is.
• What a portable benefit is is for people What a portable benefit is is for people What a portable benefit

Bills: SB199, HB142, SB86, HB152, HB297, SB1, SB1

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Fewer than half of engaged Americans have retirement accounts, according to Census data at... accounts
• It is a portable state IRA program, and workers may take it from job... to job.
• You have no benefits, no insurance, and everything.
• I said, but if it's not consistent, you have no benefits and no way to get any.
• It's not about unemployed individuals just issuing out unemployment benefits.

Bills: SB163, SB173, SB155, HB93, SB163, SB173, SB155, HB93

Keywords: State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The creation of new benefit mandates. The creation of new benefit mandates.
• </c> of uh benefit mandates in the country. of uh benefit mandates in the country.
• </c><00:05:14.880><c> But</c> who would benefit from the mandate.
• But who would benefit from the mandate.
• They do not have the benefit of uh plan.

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Transcript Highlights:

• or retirement benefits from the employer.
• You can see more details on page two... ...benefits or others you see on page two.
• be... ...establish some benefits that would be portable.
• Well, they would be portable, that's the thing.
• portable within the state.

Bills: SB86

Keywords: independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> account holders with all sorts of scams. account holders with all sorts of scams.
• Um, and for that open the account.
• </c> protect them from uh, bank account protect them from uh, bank account fraud.<00:06:48.640><c> I<
• </c><00:53:06.760><c> We</c> working, but not to our benefit. We working, but not to our benefit.
• Can you talk to the accountable.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So we used to fund them through the experience account.
• 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
• experience account.
• 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:

• They want people with cystic fibrosis to actually benefit from it.
• That makes sense from a member perspective because the PERS benefits, as many of you know, the PERS benefits
• And so it’s been a tremendous benefit.
• And so it’s been a tremendous benefit.
• 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:

• This is mostly technical in nature, and I do think folks from around the industry can see some benefit
• it was noted that the sales and use tax coming from the construction would be a sales and use tax benefit
• An act relating to accounts. Last line. Effect immediately. There are no amendments.
• to make sure that we're eliminating obsolete accounts and changing accounts as needed, and it is important
• This is the annual accounts bill. Please vote yes. Further remarks.

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer asking members to serve with humility, justice, and attention to the poor and unseen. The chamber approved the prior day’s minutes, moved House Bill 273 (Health Carrier Surpluses) and House Bill 2681 (Cannabis License Fees) to the second reading calendar, and welcomed several honored guests and caucus announcements before proceeding to floor action on bills. The House first considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program. Representative Santos offered and the House adopted Amendment 1709, described as a clarifying change. Supporters said the bill would let the tourism industry assess itself to fund statewide marketing and help attract visitors year-round without using general taxpayer dollars. The bill passed final vote 84-5. The House then took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy. Members discussed replacing property tax treatment for wind, solar, and battery storage projects with an excise tax to reduce tax shifts onto other local taxpayers and provide more stable community benefits. After adopting Amendment 2073 and Amendment 2071 as amended, the bill passed 74-15. The House next debated House Bill 2521 on firearms background checks. Two amendments were offered and rejected: Amendment 1979 would have raised the fee cap from $18 to $33, and Amendment 1989 would have set the fee at zero, with opponents arguing the fee should cover program costs and supporters arguing any fee on firearm transfers burdens constitutional rights. The bill itself passed 53-36. Finally, House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, was advanced without amendment and passed unanimously 89-0. The House then adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, February 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is mostly technical in nature, and I do think folks from around the industry can see some benefit
• generating billions of dollars in local and state spending that we all get to utilize and have as a benefit
• House Bill 2675, clerk will read: An act relating to accounts. Last line. Effect immediately.
• to make sure that we're eliminating obsolete accounts and changing accounts as needed, and it is important
• This is the annual accounts bill. Please vote yes. Further remarks.

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery. The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits. House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They would suspend their benefits to stay the rest of the year.
• So they either suspend their benefit or their benefit gets reduced dollar for dollar above a certain
• benefit, to any judge whose position is to be designated abolished at law.
• I don't think their benefit would be very significant.
• I don't think their benefit would be very significant.

Bills: HB17, HB21, HB24, HB41, HB42, HB45, HB1134, HB1237

Keywords: HB 17, District Attorneys' Retirement System, retirement system, reemployed retiree, reemployment, supplemental retirement benefit, service credit, benefit suspension, public retirement, district attorney, assistant district attorney, Louisiana District Attorneys' Association, employer reporting, annual report, retirement benefits, state employees, local funds, state funds, Municipal Employees' Retirement System, part-time retirees

Transcript Highlights:

• I did set up accounts for them, and not once did it ask me for an ID to prove... not once did it ask
• me for an ID to prove the account I set up with them because the parent is involved in identifying the
• a parent gets their teen a smartphone or device, the parent can go into their own Apple or Google account

Bills: SB186, SB187

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 806 creates a portable wireless device repair act aimed at expanding repair options
• Amendment Barcode 474598 clarifies that the term portable devices does not extend to motor vehicles.
• trade association that represents the U.S. consumer technology industry, including manufacturers of portable
• Part of the bill talks about portable cellular devices as well.
• Most importantly, our students benefit from one of the most complete educational experiences available

Bills: S0806

Keywords: right to repair, repairability, consumer repair, independent repair provider, authorized repair provider, portable wireless device, smartphone repair, cell phone repair, mobile device, agricultural equipment, farm equipment, tractor, combine, diagnostic information, repair manuals, parts availability, tools, embedded software, firmware, security module

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture took up SB 806, a consumer and agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill sponsored by Senator Truenow. The bill was described as expanding repair options for portable wireless devices and farm equipment while protecting trade secrets. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified that portable devices do not include motor vehicles, and another was a technical staff amendment. Testimony included support for the general goal of repair access, but opposition from a John Deere dealership representative, who warned the bill could weaken local dealer support, reduce parts inventory, increase downtime, and create emissions-compliance risks. The Consumer Technology Association also opposed the bill in its current form, citing concerns about a patchwork of state laws, a private right of action against manufacturers, and inconsistencies with other states’ repair laws. After closing remarks from Senator Truenow, the committee voted to report CS for SB 806 favorably. The committee then heard a presentation from Florida 4-H state officers and alumni, who highlighted 4-H’s role in youth development, leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living. They described statewide participation of more than 216,000 youth, the impact of camps and hands-on programs, and efforts to raise funds for facility improvements, including Camp Cherry Lake and Camp Timpoochee. Members asked about how youth discover 4-H, what drives participation, and the organization’s growth goals, including reaching 300,000 youth. Next, Florida FFA state officers presented on agricultural education and FFA’s role in preparing students for careers in agriculture and related fields. They emphasized the three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and FFA leadership activities, and noted Florida’s membership growth to more than 65,000 students, supported by state funding that allows all agricultural education students to participate at no cost. Members discussed the need for technology and AI to help meet future food-production demands, and the presenters stressed innovation, urban agriculture, and efficiency as key to feeding a growing population. The meeting concluded with general comments of support and a request for a group photo with the students.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a cleanup, but we do not want any other defendant to benefit from a misunderstanding of the law
• and to make it very clear that perpetrators will be held to the highest account. in Texas.
• Simply put, this bill is about transparency, accountability, and fairness.
• It also mandates disclosure of any benefits offered in exchange for the testimony.
• But for Jason, the time for him to benefit from this, to be given his second chance is slowly running

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• workers on those projects at least the prevailing wage, which is defined as the hourly wage, usual benefits
• They also include the workers' benefit package.
• So if we are freezing wages while benefit contributions increase, we are actually reducing their wages
• $611,000 in additional bonds and an additional $3 million in spending from the waste tire removal account
• $611,000 in additional bonds and an additional $3 million in spending from the waste tire removal account

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs and projects, and $239 million is used in a series of account changes to free up a corresponding
• amount of revenue from higher education building accounts, which is then used to fund higher education
• These account changes do not reduce any capital budget projects and net to zero in the proposal.
• It helps meet carbon sequestration benefits. It helps meet natural climate solutions goals.
• It helps meet carbon sequestration benefits. It helps meet natural climate solutions goals.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on proposed substitute HB 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff briefed the committee that the proposal totals nearly $911 million in spending, including about $400 million in bonds and significant new Climate Commitment Act funding, with major investments in housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and clean energy/decarbonization projects. The chair noted the hearing would be run at one minute per testifier due to the large number of speakers. Testimony was broadly supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Speakers highlighted funding for affordable housing and homeownership, weatherization, manufactured housing preservation, early learning facilities, behavioral health and substance use treatment, school modernization and seismic safety, community health hubs, and tribal and local infrastructure projects. Several tribal, local government, and nonprofit representatives thanked the committee for projects such as the Quinault tribal courthouse replacement, Thurston County’s justice center request, the Skokomish land return, community forests, and floodplain restoration, while urging continued support in conference with the Senate. Other testimony focused on project-specific requests, including Cascadia College’s next building, Eastern Washington University’s solar array and maintenance needs, WSU deferred maintenance and health education space, the Port of Tacoma’s cleanup grant language, and the City of Kent’s request for rooftop solar funding. Environmental and climate advocates supported investments in flood resilience, clean energy, and CCA-funded programs, while some cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. At the close of the hearing, the chair said the committee would not take amendments, would work on a technical fix striker, and planned to vote the bipartisan capital budget out on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, benefits for Anoka Henipin Schools.
• </c> the value of their benefits go down. the value of their benefits go down.
• Um having value of their benefits go up.
• Local accountability will be lost.
• The state's accountability will be lost.

Bills: HF3422, HF3461, HF2904

Keywords: state grants, grant oversight, grants management, executive agencies, Minnesota Department of Administration, commissioner of administration, fraud prevention, waste prevention, grant monitoring, financial reconciliation, grant compliance, state government, public funds, grant recipients, competitive grants, grant administration, administrative oversight, monitoring visits, grant policy, legislative leave

Transcript Highlights:

• How are the savings and benefits reported for the AFA's association and industry not applicable to other
• increases specifically to that business case, a lot is prepared to work towards a solution that benefits
• of entry for high volume log trucks in order to first of all minimize the number of places where portable
• weigh on a set of... ...much quicker to weigh on a set of permanent scales than it is on a set of portable
• I’ll just say this: I didn’t get to talk about this much, but the scales themselves—portable scales—are

Bills: SB110, SB64, SB42

Keywords: weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants

Bills: HB517, SB110

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response

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:

• The committee heard this a few weeks ago relating to certain practices of health benefit plan issuers
• It doesn't work to the benefit of the physicians.
• Feedback from TDI asks Sparks to strike the accounting methodology. Okay, well that was done.
• If we limit their capacity to account for extreme weather, they're underwriting.
• 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