Transcript Highlights:

• We have reviewed those estimates.
• CSAC prepared the Cal Grant estimates underlying the Governor's budget in October 2025, and these estimates
• And I recognize that kind of commitment is an ongoing cost that we'd have to estimate.
• Legislative proposals around the Cal Grant and estimating what that cost would be.
• When it comes to the estimates for our...

Summary: The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses. The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training. The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one: given the fiscal notes estimating potential revenue losses of up to 1.5 million annually
• </c> uh given the fiscal notes estimating uh given the fiscal notes estimating potential<00:04:55.040
• There's a tiered rate of pricing. So, you know, we start at 29. We used to start at 29.
• There's a tiered rate of pricing. So, you know, we start at 29. We used to start at 29.
• Am I correct on some estimate in there?

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> tax</c><00:49:53.920><c> break</c> The $230 million estimated tax break The $230 million estimated
• We will all pay the price. I'm going to urge members to vote no, and we can do a lot more.
• Well, when a price gets high, you look for a black market.
• Well, when a price gets high, you look for a black market.
• Well, when a price gets high, you do?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I might add at a relatively affordable level, as the average sticker price for private college in
• This estimate includes a 13% Title IV-E federal reimbursement assumption for eligible services.
• I estimate those would be less than $50,000.
• This is the bill that relates to the 340B drug pricing program.
• This is estimated to not change the fiscal impact of the underlying bill.

Bills: HB2689 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB5877

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• And I might add at a relatively affordable level, as the average sticker price for private college in
• This estimate includes a 13% Title IV-E federal reimbursement assumption for eligible services.
• This estimate includes a 13% Title IVE federal reimbursement assumption for eligible services.
• I estimate those would be less than $50,000.
• This is the bill that relates to the 340B drug pricing program.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5828, which would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award levels for students attending private, not-for-profit four-year institutions. Staff explained the bill would set the awards at 90 percent of the regional and state college rate rather than 50 percent of the research rate, with an estimated fiscal impact of $3.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and $18.6 million over four years. Testimony was largely in support from private college presidents, students, and school counselors, who said the bill would help low-income and first-generation students and preserve access and enrollment choices; some public college student representatives said they did not oppose the bill but argued that cuts to public-school aid should be restored first. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which would prohibit DCYF from using benefits or funds of youth in extended foster care as reimbursement for their cost of care beginning in 2027, while requiring support for benefit management and payee arrangements and allowing protected accounts such as ABLE accounts. Staff estimated a net fiscal impact of $608,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $2.2 million per biennium thereafter. Testimony in support said the bill would end the practice of withholding SSI and other benefits from youth in care and better support disabled youth transitioning to adulthood. Members asked questions about fiduciary responsibility and representative payee arrangements. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It adopted Amendment Clark 350 to House Bill 2689, raising the required provider response rate for the child care market rate survey to 65 percent, and then reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 18-11, with two excused. It adopted Amendment H-3743.1 to Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on retrospective prior authorization denials and reported that bill out unanimously. It also adopted Amendment Pool 272 to Senate Bill 5420 and reported that bill out unanimously. For Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5496, the committee adopted several amendments clarifying scope and penalties but rejected amendments that would have delayed the bill or replaced it with a study; the bill was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard amendment briefings on other bills, including 5981, 6026, 6160, 6184, and 6211, but deferred action on some items heard that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• SENIORS, THE FBI ESTIMATED THAT IN 2023 SENIORS IN THE UNITED STATES LOST 62 BILLION DOLLARS.
• SIMILARLY IF A HUMAN LICENSEE AND ADJUSTER VIOLATES THE UNFAIR SETTLEMENT PRICES ACT YOU CAN DO THE SAME
• AN ESTIMATING LOSS WHEN THE FIELD ADJUSTER COMES OUT AND TAKES PICTURES OF YOUR CAR.
• YOU CAN PRICE ALL ABOUT AND ADD THOSE NUMBERS.

Transcript Highlights:

• respond to the UC and CSU higher education segments of $1 million and $1.5 million respectively. estimates
• House income, home prices above $800,000.
• As of 2024, we know that on any given night, an estimated 187,000 people are experiencing homelessness
• It's something for the price they would pay on the DMV website, but they're paying significant upcharges

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The NAA price for that is 31 cents per pill for 90, 90 pills.
• And when we're asking them, they're talking about price gouging being the issue.
• And so, you know, we don't really see a solution to this bill and price gouging.
• Prices went down when we deregulated electricity in some places.
• Prices always come down because of the cost of regulation.

Bills: SB 502 , SB 513 , SB 622 , SB 670 , SB 731 , SB 732 , SB 916 , SB 961 , SB 1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal impacts of the policy estimated fiscal impacts of the policy items<00:01:30.240><c> in</c><00
• in the fiscal Higher Education estimated in the fiscal note<00:09:15.120><c> for</c><00:09:15.279><c
• When we buy a car or a house, we're given upfront pricing.
• Right now, 91% of colleges either leave out or understate the true net price.
• However, right now, higher education has a price tag, one with a lot of zeros.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a system surveillance pricing.
• This is taking away rights up prices.
• ,</c><00:31:52.640><c> modifying</c> hiring, increasing prices, modifying hiring, increasing prices,
• We are in rural Minnesota, and I can't keep raising prices.
• We are in rural Minnesota, and I can't keep raising prices.

Bills: HF4110 , HF2113 , HF4569 , HF4414

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• The estimated cost to replace is $250,000.
• ><00:17:32.120><c> the</c> connects to the main road that the connects to the main road that the estimated
• cost to replace is estimated cost to replace is 250,000 250,000 250,000 so<00:17:38.200><c> it's</c>
• A member then asked a question for Richard Emory, asking for a rough estimate of how many AOOs or HOAs
• </c><00:23:20.799><c> of</c> if you if you know a rough estimate of if you if you know a rough estimate

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 117 on condominiums. Testifiers were split: reserve-study professionals and the Community Associations Institute opposed tying reserve requirements to assessed value, arguing reserve studies should be based on actual components and costs and that the bill could lead to over- or under-collection. Condominium owners and advocates supported the bill, saying some associations are not completing reserve studies or are failing to provide audits and adequate funding, and urging stronger fiduciary accountability. A member later asked about compliance rates, and a witness said he was not aware of any association that had failed to do a reserve study, estimating compliance at well over 95 percent, likely close to 100 percent. The committee then took testimony on HB 544 on pet insurance, which drew support from the Attorney General’s office and the Insurance Division with comments about contract-impairment issues, as well as support from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association and the Hawaiian Humane Society. Testifiers said the bill would help consumers understand and use pet insurance as veterinary costs rise. HB 983 on certified public accountants also drew mostly support, with the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants offering conditional support and proposed amendments. Public accountants said the bill could help address a shortage of CPAs and expand pathways into the profession, while some speakers cautioned that the language needed clarification and that public accounting experience should be tied to CPA-firm work. An instructor from UH West Oahu said students cannot afford the extra credits currently required and would benefit from a more accessible pathway. The committee also heard HB 1050 on Title 24, with DCCA supporting the measure and no opposition or questions. The discussion then moved to HB 256 HD1 on environmental protection and incinerator emissions. The Department of Health offered comments, while Energy Justice Network and Climate Protectors Hawaii supported strengthening the bill, warning that it could weaken existing standards at H-Power unless amended to preserve stricter state rules and require modern pollution controls. A member questioned the Department of Health about H-Power’s permits and whether additional controls would be required if federal rules change; the department said permits are reviewed every five years and that the facility currently meets state and federal requirements, while EPA rules remain in a public comment process. Finally, the committee heard HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, with support from the Consumer Advocate, State Energy Office, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaii Energy. The committee then heard HB 350 HD1 on energy, where the State Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray Corporation offered conditional comments urging any new mandated water-heating technology to meet the same efficiency level as existing solar thermal systems, and the Kauai Climate Action Coalition testified in support. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I mean, prices changed.
• project costs I've seen is when government starts digging into the ground, okay, because they never estimate
• So it's just a function of the cost structure, and you'd have to have a better estimated cost. in the
• The price tag is currently 7.1 billion dollars.
• Millions that are on the estimate that came in later. Okay, we'll give you a last word on it.

Bills: SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district

Transcript Highlights:

• By 2040, more than $1.5 billion, or $1.2 billion annually, enough, by some estimates, to build more than
• this have limitations on buying up single-family housing, which we have seen can drive up housing prices
• It still is a big concern that it does drive up housing prices, so I just wanted to bring that up.
• So number one, it limits the Texas Future Fund investment to no more than 20% of the estimated total
• At best, you're looking at 51% of the time, on high estimates, right? Right? No. Really?

Bills: HB 104 , HB2054 , HB3459 , HB3745 , HB4486 , HB4488 , HB4601 , HB104

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Home prices are double the national average, and the rent is too damn high.
• Industry stakeholders estimate, for example, that the upfront cost of recent code changes made in just
• Home prices are double the national average, and the rent is too damn high.
• Industry stakeholders estimate, for example, that the upfront cost of recent code changes made in just
• trying to impose even more costly retrofit mandates, which the National Association of Home Builders estimates

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then took up a series of procedural motions and a large third-reading file focused heavily on housing, wildfire recovery, insurance, and related regulatory changes. Early actions included a successful motion to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 on the third-reading file, followed by a unanimous vote on SB 26, a cleanup measure related to lemon-law civil discovery procedures and automaker opt-outs from the AB 1755 framework. The chamber then moved through a package of urgency bills tied to the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires and broader housing affordability concerns. Measures approved included AB 311 allowing displaced tenants to temporarily house wildfire victims and pets, AB 299 extending hotel/motel/short-term rental stays beyond 30 days for disaster-displaced families, AB 226 giving the California Fair Plan access to bond financing in catastrophic-loss scenarios, AB 253 allowing third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days, AB 301 aligning state permitting timelines with local deadlines, AB 306 imposing a six-year pause on new residential building-code updates, AB 462 exempting certain ADUs in Los Angeles County coastal zones from coastal development permits, AB 493 requiring interest to be paid to homeowners on insurance proceeds held by lenders, and AB 597 tightening rules on public adjuster solicitation, fees, and contract transparency. Each of these urgency bills passed, generally with strong bipartisan support and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly also approved several non-urgency measures, including AB 293 on groundwater transparency and board disclosure, AB 251 on elder abuse litigation standards when evidence is intentionally destroyed, AB 59 removing a sunset on Reclamation District 108’s hydropower authority, AB 417 streamlining EIFD and CRIA financing tools, and AB 312 updating procedures for agricultural theft proceeds. In addition, ACR 6 was adopted by voice vote, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with extensive remarks from Assembly Member Ta and support from other members. The consent calendar was adopted, and the body later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for David Myers and Olivia Guerrero before adjourning to April 3, 2025. Several vote changes were announced after adjournment, including changes on AB 251 and AB 417.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the division allocates 9% of the estimated bonding capacity each year for water projects in
• We are hoping to obtain better estimates from regional water planning once we get that process going.
• And 1.1% for a sec, yes, would be that set aside, which we estimated to be around $19 million per year
• And obviously, it will fluctuate depending on the prices of oil and gas and how much is available.
• The initial FIR estimated the fiscal impact to be like a million or two a year.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> enrollment as well as Healthcare prices enrollment as well as Healthcare prices uh<00:23:16.600>
• As you can see, medical prices have more than doubled in that period.
• As you can see, medical prices have more than doubled in that period.
• As you can see, medical prices have more than doubled in that period.
• </c><01:45:52.000><c> to</c> tariff that will increase gas prices to tariff that will increase gas prices

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at table 4, we have the cost estimate for an 80/20 cost share model for all public school
• In column 3, we included a 2nd cost estimate, and this number assumes that no district and no charter
• The table also includes the cost estimates for higher education and some other entities.
• So that's why we're not making a firm recommendation on 80/20 before the revenue estimates in August.
• Has that driven up the costs and prices of things, or is that just an aside?

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note is available with no estimated state fiscal costs and additional local costs depending
• The Department of Commerce estimates no state or local fiscal impacts.
• A fiscal note is available for the bill, with estimated costs of $5,100 for fiscal year 2027. ...to submit
• A fiscal note is available for the bill, with estimated costs of $5,100 for fiscal year 2027.
• we had bills like this already in place, we would actually be able to provide that at an even lower price

Bills: HB2304 , HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note is available with no estimated state fiscal costs and additional local costs depending
• The Department of Commerce estimates no state or local fiscal impacts.
• The Department of Commerce estimates no state or local fiscal impacts.
• A fiscal note is available for the bill, with estimated costs of $5,100 for fiscal year 2027.
• That adds uncertainty, and then it gets priced into insurance for builders.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. Representative Connors testified on two notice-service bills: HB 2452, which would change manufactured/mobile home rent increase notices so they are served like other MHLTA notices rather than by certified mail, and HB 2664, which would remove certified-mail requirements for unlawful detainer and related notices. Connors said the current certified-mail rules are causing notices to go unclaimed and creating unnecessary costs for housing providers, while staff explained the bills would allow service by regular mail in the same manner as other notices. Public testimony on both bills was generally supportive, emphasizing reduced cost and better delivery, though one witness on HB 2452 urged allowing electronic notice options as well. The committee also heard SHB 2269, which clarifies that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development may be served by either a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system in rural counties, while non-rural counties would still require public sewer service. The sponsor and supporters said the bill resolves ambiguity created by prior legislation and gives county planners more flexibility; questions focused on what kinds of systems and uses would qualify. EHB 1687 was heard next and would expand the housing cooperation law to allow cities and counties to assist social housing public development authorities. Representative Reed and supporters said the bill would give Seattle and potentially other jurisdictions a tool to support permanently public, mixed-income housing with land, infrastructure, and other assistance. In executive session, the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation for EHB 1345 after Senator Gaynor withdrew an amendment that would have removed water-withdrawal and metering requirements for detached ADUs outside urban growth areas. The committee also adopted a striking amendment and moved ESHB 1500 and EHB 1501 forward, both with updated timelines and clarifications related to common-interest-community resale certificates and owner inquiries. Amendments to ESHB 1974 on land bank authorities were rejected, including proposals to remove private negotiation and tax preferences, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Finally, SHB 2288 on scissors stairs was advanced without amendment. Later, the committee heard HB 2304, which would expand the 2-10 warranty option to certain four-story stacked-flat condominium projects; testimony from builders, housing advocates, and the Office of Insurance Commissioner supported it as a way to reduce liability costs and increase condo supply. The committee also took testimony on EHB 1687 and HB 2664, and then closed the hearing on SHB 2452 after hearing support from housing providers for easing manufactured-home rent notice service requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this fraud, in their estimation, ranges from anywhere between $75 billion annually and $140 billion
• And this fraud, in their estimation, ranges from anywhere between. fraud in their estimation ranges from
• abortion medications delivered, dispensed, or distributed by DOC must be sold at cost, not to exceed list price
• to be donated to health care providers or sold at a lower cost than the state's original purchase price
• help fight the overpayments to private Medicare Advantage companies, as Clarissa just mentioned, estimated

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony. The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held. The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.