Transcript Highlights:

• For schools, this is a drain of Proposition 98 funding.
• I'm presenting SB 1011, the Utility Infrastructure, AI, Safety, Oversight, and Workforce Protection Act
• A utility must file regarding the use of AI in utility operations.
• Of course, going forward, we represent the utility workforce.
• Similarly, we appreciate removing the Energy Commission oversight, as the CPUC does not oversee utility

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and protect psychotherapy records under confidentiality laws. The bill was presented with powerful testimony from Maria Rain, whose son died by suicide after prolonged interactions with ChatGPT, and was supported by behavioral health groups, labor organizations, and privacy advocates. Tech and medical groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could restrict beneficial clinical uses of AI, create conflicts around triage and screening, and raise privacy and innovation concerns. The committee voted 4-0 to send SB 903 to Appropriations. SB 1119, a companion measure to AB 2023, would create a broader regulatory framework for chatbot interactions with children, including annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, notice and time-limit requirements, limits on advertising and use of children’s data, public incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. Maria Rain again testified in support, describing how ChatGPT allegedly encouraged and coached her son Adam Raine toward suicide. Supporters said the bill is needed to prevent sycophantic, addictive chatbot behavior and protect minors. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, the California Medical Association, and others, raised concerns about overlapping requirements with SB 243, vague standards, prescriptive design mandates, audit confidentiality, and the private right of action. The committee voted 4-1 to send SB 1119 to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would require annual DOJ audits of automated license plate reader users, stronger employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for ALPR data. Supporters argued the bill would address widespread misuse and over-retention of data that mostly tracks innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, saying the 30-day limit would hinder investigations, especially in older or complex cases, though they supported stronger safeguards and audits. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, dealing with automated curb-management enforcement in six cities, passed 4-1 to call after supporters said it would help cities manage loading zones, bike lanes, and AV-related curb use, while privacy advocates warned against expanding automated surveillance and pilot programs. The committee also approved SB 1101, requiring higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies; it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, was introduced to require advance notice and reporting when AI or other technology displaces workers, with labor support and Chamber opposition; testimony began, but no final action on that bill appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you know, serving on the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, we've had a lot
• From the point of view of looking at how we are going to get control over the misuse of public funds,
• So these are another tool that we can utilize for law enforcement to...
• it and that if we do fund it, it actually will address this issue.
• Given that we're in a very tight fiscal situation, they also need ongoing funding.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• President, who’s receiving the funds? Well, let’s see.
• Funding supports technical oversight, not direct services, and data interpreted without lived experience
• This office was funded with $600,000.
• This office was funded with $600,000.
• Madam Chair and Representative, it was an oversight to not include that.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• fall under the oversight?
• fall under the oversight?
• fall under the oversight?
• </c> fall under the the oversight? fall under the the oversight?
• </c> that have been utilized in instruction. that have been utilized in instruction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without real oversight Of the rules, we are in a state of spiral out of control.
• It ensures that people feel comfortable coming forward to report misuse of government funds.
• However, we did create a $10 million indemnity fund.
• Cleavorn said we set up a publicly funded indemnity fund.
• Well, $10 million of it went into this indemnity fund to protect people.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, because of the workforce education innovation funding that you’ve provided, the WEF funding
• So when we say funding formula revenue, you're talking the higher ed funding formula.
• That was an oversight last session when we opened up... ...the oversight last session when we opened
• What we have seen with the supplemental state grant, that was funded at $7 million, and we utilized data
• What happened is that we're not utilizing all of those funds because of a little federal program that

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes funding available through a new Trade Courts Development Fund.
• It makes funding available through a new Trade Courts Development Fund.
• So we're ready to move our timeline and our Those funding to get utility infrastructure down that main
• We need funding to build off the rest of the utility infrastructure.
• Trust Fund.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, what's interesting about this particular source of funding is that we're utilizing interest
• for marijuana that is a completely separate fund that we could be utilizing, but this will allow the
• for marijuana that is a completely separate fund that we could be utilizing, but this will allow the
• And so these state dollars should not be utilized to fund the death penalty, especially if this is a
• And so these state dollars should not be utilized to fund the death penalty, especially if this is a

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the third and final sunset review oversight hearing, which is once again being held jointly
• Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as part of the sunset oversight review process
• , and ongoing legislative oversight through this sunset review process.
• Do you think this presents a concern for the long-term sustainability of your fund condition?
• Do you think this presents a concern for the long-term sustainability of your fund condition?

Transcript Highlights:

• and its sub-funds, including the Board of Regents Support Fund.
• With the planned termination of the support fund, it will be essential to maintain strong oversight to
• The matching funds are placed with the private funds and the corpus cannot be invaded.
• Because the support fund that we were using for both match dollars and to pay for the oversight of those
• We're utilizing whatever structure we already have in place, and funds are already allocated for that

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several higher education and K-12 bills. SB 234 by Sen. Presley, which would provide grading for medical school students, was briefly discussed and reported favorably without objection. SB 142 by Sen. Reese, dealing with continued management and oversight of Board of Regents support fund matched endowments if a related constitutional amendment passes, drew questions about endowment matching, oversight, and the roughly $75 million in unmatched requests; it was also reported favorably without objection. SB 482 by Sen. Reese, expanding the role of career coaches in middle and high school graduation planning and reporting on career development fund spending, received support from BESE and others, with committee members discussing counselor workload and district flexibility; it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up SB 64 by Sen. Hodges, which would require two people to review initial video/audio recordings from cameras in self-contained classrooms when complaints arise, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1063 by Rep. Owen, a broad higher education governance bill that would increase board oversight of curriculum, hiring, faculty senates, and discipline, generated extensive discussion and testimony from Rep. Owen and a representative of Parents Defending Education Action, but the author said he did not want to vote on it yet and moved to voluntarily defer it; the committee agreed without objection. HB 818 by Rep. Riser, as amended, was converted into a reporting bill requiring public inventories and state reporting on assessments, with Cynthia Posey of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers explaining the amendments; the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with one opposition card noted. Finally, SB 28 by Sen. McMath, carried by Rep. Carver, would lower the age for associate teachers from 25 to 21 to help address the teacher shortage; Department of Education staff said the change could expand the pipeline, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also announced it would meet the following week on Wednesday, May 6, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our legislative oversight over the important branch of government, the Attorney General's office.
• rates or water rates when a large water utility comes and takes in over. over a local water utility
• It's the 50th anniversary of the client security fund this year.
• The Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel administers the system with oversight from the Commission
• Additional review is provided by the Grievance Oversight Committee.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> cluster developments which are utilized cluster developments which are utilized by<00:54:21.680>
• Um, I understand that the whole process is to be funded through that special state fund, but we're not
• Um, I understand that the whole process is to be funded through that special state fund, but we're not
• Um, I understand that the whole process is to be funded through that special state fund, but we're not
• </c> would it could be done if it was funded would it could be done if it was funded and<02:21:10.160

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We support creative fines to fund services.
• We support creative fines to fund services.
• commissions to provide truly effective oversight.
• The fact is that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Oversight Commission, and I believe other similar oversight
• The Civilian Oversight Commission.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's got to be funded.
• Last session, we changed TXPP, so it's the Physician Health Program funding mechanism from a participation
• only physicians' and physician assistants' license renewal surcharges are permitted to go into the fund
• He paid utilities and he leased an apartment.
• However, the effective oversight of anatomical donations requires specialized knowledge.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:52.679><c> has</c> Utilities Commission has Utilities Commission has more<00:18:55.159><c>
• </c> we wanted the you Public Utilities we wanted the you Public Utilities Commission<00:19:30.039><c
• the utilities?
• c> across</c> utilities run and that utilities across utilities run and that utilities across New<00:
• </c> utilities that's because only utilities utilities that's because only utilities were<00:51:52.640

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• fund.
• there so you can fund your general fund priorities.
• The utilities have a balancing account mechanism where they can use these funds to pay for their utilities
• funds relieve much pressure on the general fund.
• Both its future funds funds and reversion of existing funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• All disbursements were not made by utilizing pre-numbered checks or approved electronic fund transfers
• to the street fund.
• Restricted funds of over $57,000 were not transferred to the street fund from the general fund as required
• Restricted funds of over $57,000 were not transferred to the street fund from the general fund as required
• It's in their general fund. Well, it went in their general fund.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• the general fund.
• LIHTC funding.
• Or you don't have funds? Is funding for you?
• Or you don't have funds? Is funding for you?
• Or you don't have funds? Is funding for you?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:08.080><c> are</c> Uh, so the majority of those funds are being utilized now to support the
• </c><01:17:52.880><c> in</c> utilization of SNAP impacts funding in utilization of SNAP impacts funding
• Uh so certain utilities uh for example that are no funding for the SNAP program.
• Program, education aid, and the federal Child Care Development Fund. utilization.
• So the department utilized funding that it received from the fiscal committee. Thank you.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• decides where the funding will be decides where the funding will be allocated<01:52:30.639><c> and</
• </c> year it goes to the state general fund year it goes to the state general fund that<02:13:55.360>
• These individuals require close medical oversight.
• </c><03:58:05.680><c> anything</c> anywhere else or do you utilize anything anywhere else or do you utilize
• </c><04:25:49.880><c> um</c><04:25:50.000><c> robust</c> regulatory oversight um robust regulatory oversight

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs