Transcript Highlights:

• So that is part of your charter school application process. still is it not? I believe so.
• I mean the charter school application became... much more intense after that happened and it was more
• It's a competitive application process to be admitted to the cohort and we guide our members. this intensive
• have to go through a re- renewal process and so they have to go through the app- the expensive application
• process again the application process that's keeping, you know, more than 50% of our districts out of

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one of your amendment requires that building permit applications include the EPA RRP license
• It's a simple, no-cost change to an application.
• You may know that towns such as Sugar Hill are already doing this; their permit application has been
• It's a simple, no-cost change to an application.
• </c><03:48:50.600><c> has</c> doing this their permit application has doing this their permit application

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• A fair, earned, and secure retirement benefit is crucial for prospective school staff.
• A fair, earned, and secure retirement benefit is crucial for prospective school staff.
• A fair, earned, and secure retirement benefit is crucial for prospective school staff.
• Our state has prospective school staff.
• magic</c><00:49:22.480><c> in</c> Continuing to perform their magic in their classrooms and those prospective

Transcript Highlights:

• amounts, potentially leading to lower fines imposed on employers than would otherwise result under applicable
• We know also since that time our budget has become more and more dim, our out-year prospects, so I'm
• We focus primarily on Cal/OSHA and its application of fines.
• We focus primarily on Cal OSHA and its application of fines.
• We also offer training to candidates on how to fill a state application and to do statements of qualifications

Summary: The hearing focused on a state audit of Cal/OSHA titled “The Division of Occupational Safety and Health: Process Deficiencies and Staffing Shortages Limit Its Ability to Protect Workers.” Committee leaders and members described the audit as a response to serious workplace tragedies and argued that California’s strong worker protections are undermined when enforcement is inconsistent. Chair Ortega and others emphasized that the issue is not only staffing, but also structural problems in how complaints, inspections, citations, and penalties are handled. State Auditor Grant Parks testified that the audit found major weaknesses in Cal/OSHA’s operations during a five-year review period, including a 32% vacancy rate in 2023-24, heavy reliance on employer self-investigation letters for complaints, late inspections, incomplete case files, outdated policies, and weak documentation for fine calculations and reductions. He said Cal/OSHA often lacked evidence to justify why it did not inspect certain complaints or why it reduced penalties, and that many files did not show proof that employers corrected hazards. He also noted that criminal referrals were rare and that the agency’s paper-based system made oversight difficult. Cal/OSHA and the Department of Industrial Relations responded that they accept the audit’s findings and are already taking corrective steps. Director Jennifer Osborne and Chief Deborah Lee said the division has hired more staff, reduced vacancies to about 12% through recruitment and position eliminations, hired a policy writer, updated or is updating several policies, and is developing a new data management system expected to go live in late 2026 or early 2027. They said serious hazards will be directed to on-site inspections, letter investigations will be limited to non-serious complaints, and internal audits and training will be used to improve consistency and accountability. Members pressed the department on whether these changes will be enough, how fines are set and reduced, and whether the agency is doing enough to protect workers and hold employers accountable.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so actually just yesterday I was informed that immigration applicants are being detained at USCIS
• employers to induce an applicant to volunteer their potential conviction history.
• If that happens, any rejected applicant with a criminal history can file a civil rights complaint, at
• If that happens, any rejected applicant with a criminal as race or sex.
• The individual applicant can still file a civil rights complaint.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• In these applications, the applicants must show proof of nonprofit status.
• But the bill is pretty silent on how the primary applicant should work with sub-applicants.
• In these applications, the applicants must show proof of nonprofit status.
• But the bill is pretty silent on how the primary applicant should work with sub-applicants.
• In these applications, the applicants must show proof of non-profit status.

Summary: The committee first received staff briefings on amendments for a series of bills, including measures on child care workforce standards, homelessness programs, community preservation authorities, domestic violence survivor relief, public defense funding, student behavioral health supports, water system ownership changes, nonprofit health carrier surplus assessments, 340B drug pricing reporting, Secretary of State filing fees, step housing, campaign security reimbursements, digital equity programs, a Boys and Men’s Commission, a waste-to-energy facility’s Climate Commitment Act obligations, 6PPD tire substitutes, and an early education scholarship. Staff described the policy changes and, where available, the expected fiscal effects of each proposed substitute or line amendment. The committee then went into caucus before returning for executive session. In executive session, the committee voted out House Bill 1073, then adopted a Couture line amendment to House Bill 1128 exempting private K-12 schools with licensed child care programs from the child care employer definition before reporting the bill out as Second Substitute House Bill 1128. House Bill 1316, 1408, 1591, 1592, 1634, 1906, 1960, 2073, 2145, 2248, 2266, 2301, 2333, and 2365 were also reported from committee, with several amendments adopted along the way. Notable actions included adopting an emergency clause for House Bill 1408, rejecting proposed amendments to House Bill 1591 that would have narrowed relief for survivors and removed retroactivity, adopting a narrower amendment to House Bill 1592’s public defense funding formula, and adopting a substitute to House Bill 2145 that limited 340B reporting to hospitals. The committee also debated and rejected several amendments to the step housing bill, House Bill 2266, including proposals for larger school/daycare buffers, more local oversight, and broader local government authority; the bill still advanced on a 16-13 vote. House Bill 2073, which requires nonprofit health carriers to contribute surplus funds to Cascade Care Savings, advanced over concerns about using one-time money for an ongoing program. House Bill 2248 advanced after an amendment redirected annual license fee deposits to the state treasury rather than the Secretary of State’s revolving fund. House Bill 2333 was narrowed to allow use of campaign funds for personal security reimbursements, and House Bill 2365 advanced with some amendments adopted and others rejected as the committee began discussing additional digital equity oversight provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had the prospect of nonferrous mining, but we have never had any sort of gas, and the good news
• We've had the prospect of nonferrous mining, but we have never had any sort of gas, and the good news
• We don't know how many permit applications or requests we're going to have, so we gave the space to be
• </c><01:03:01.760><c> or</c><01:03:02.119><c> or</c> know how many permit applications or or know how
• </c> oversight of uh the uh uh application oversight of uh the uh uh application for<01:10:35.239><c>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Before HB 1569, a prospective voter who is already registered, but whose eligibility is nevertheless
• Before HB 1569, a prospective voter who is already registered, but whose eligibility is nevertheless
• The evidence and applicable law, however, do not confer standing under these facts and circumstances.
• Other application forms would be received or postmarked within six months of the election.
• </c><04:54:05.718><c> um</c> election occurs all other application um election occurs all other application

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• applications.
• part 40 and part 70 applications. in other applications, like, so there's part 40 and part 70 applications
• We talked over a couple of months, and I said, you know, they're starting to take applications.
• And I said, you know, they're starting to take applications. I know a few people there.
• The oil and gas industry has been very interested in using microreactors for remote applications.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply provides prospective guidance to the courts.
• This bill simply provides prospective guidance to the courts.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved prior journals, and moved through confirmations and floor items. Doreen DiAmico was confirmed to the State Water Resources Control Board by a 34-1 vote, Dr. Anne Maria de Mars was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0, and Ronald Fiore was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0. The body then took up SB 73 on election security, with supporters arguing it would protect ballot chain of custody and prevent intimidation or unauthorized access to voting materials, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, federal preemption, and the bill’s impact on investigations. SB 73 passed on concurrence and urgency with 29 ayes and 8 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure. The Senate also approved SB 929 on annual Energy Commission oversight (37-0), SB 1370 on wildfire-related testimony/oversight (28-5), SB 983 authorizing Port of San Diego job order contracting (28-8), SB 1367 restricting local approval of new or converted private detention facilities (28-8), SB 1257 requiring annual reporting on immigration enforcement incidents (28-8), and SB 1103 requiring large home improvement retailers to report immigration enforcement activity and related records (23-8). SB 1399, which removes the sunset on DOJ reviews of immigration detention facilities, passed 28-7, and SB 873, “ICE Out of Courts,” passed 28-7 to limit arrests near courthouses without a judicial warrant. Later, the Senate passed SB 1292 creating a pilot for camera- or sensor-based curb management with human review and privacy safeguards, despite opposition over privacy and automation concerns, by 28-7. SB 878 strengthened prompt-payment insurance penalties for delayed claims after disasters and passed 29-6. SB 958, a CEQA clarification related to housing and building height impacts, passed unanimously 37-0. SB 924 modernized low-income energy assistance services and passed 35-1. SB 1057 on certification for nurse assistants and home health aides passed, as did SB 1092 giving mobile home residents a chance to bid on park sales (29-7), SB 1123 requiring agencies to consider consumer and other benefits in rulemaking (26-8), SB 1233 increasing utility rate transparency (29-8), SB 1237 strengthening pay data reporting enforcement (28-6), SB 886 shifting data center infrastructure costs away from existing ratepayers (28-6), SB 905 reforming utility incentives and performance metrics (28-8), and SB 909 strengthening public works wage enforcement (28-7). The final item shown, SB 925 on fusion energy roadmap development, passed unanimously 37-0, while SB 954 on CEQA and advanced manufacturing drew extensive debate over environmental guardrails versus economic competitiveness; the transcript cuts off during closing remarks before the vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like other prospective-only legislation, this bill leaves many people behind who deserve review of their
• Like other prospective-only legislation, this bill leaves many people behind who deserve review of their

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6239, which would require civil arbitration for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions before trial. Staff explained current tort-claim procedures and said the bill would apply arbitration to claims of any dollar amount, with a fiscal note pending. The sponsor said Washington’s liability exposure is unusually high and argued the bill would promote early resolution without limiting jury trials, damage caps, or attorney fees. Members asked who pays for arbitration and whether trial rights are preserved; staff said costs are generally split and the bill preserves a jury trial de novo. Testimony on SB 6239 was sharply divided. Counties, cities, school districts, risk pools, and some public-safety groups supported the bill, saying rising liability and insurance costs are straining budgets and threatening core services. Opponents included trial lawyers, legal aid groups, victim advocates, journalists, and survivors of abuse, who argued the bill would create barriers to justice, delay relief, increase costs for claimants, reduce transparency, and retraumatize survivors by forcing private arbitration before a public trial. Several witnesses said the bill was too broad because it would cover employment, contract, and other claims, not just torts involving abuse or negligence. After public testimony closed, the committee noted the large number of sign-ins, with far more in opposition than in support. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6074, which would reinstate parole for certain felony offenses committed on or after July 1, 2027, allow eligible incarcerated people to petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after serving 60% of their sentence, and create a parole implementation work group. Supporters said it would recognize rehabilitation and improve reentry, while some witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s prospective-only application, the 60% threshold, and the need to address racial disparities and parole criteria more fully. The sponsor said the parole bill was paired with tort-liability reform because criminal justice reform advocates have said liability changes are needed to restore parole in Washington.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hundreds and and you lose a prospective hundreds and and you lose a prospective candidate,<01:47
• Ten years ago, 12 years ago, it was not uncommon for us to get 100 out-of-state applicants.
• We no longer get those applicants.
• We no longer get those state applicants.
• So I think that probably in applicants.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• As discussed last week, these are very modest improvements with a prospective increase to the multiplier
• It increases the formula multiplier prospectively for active general plan members from 1.7 to 1.9, prospective
• They'd have a 1.41% increase tied to the benefits they're earning prospectively, and they would be subject
• In recent years, we have seen a steady decline in applicants and retention of good employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><00:35:08.400><c> the</c><00:35:08.839><c> the</c> Not uniquely, we don't have a raft of prospective
• 17.280><c> of</c> us not uniquely we don't have a raft of us not uniquely we don't have a raft of prospective
• 18.800><c> just</c><00:36:19.000><c> waiting</c><00:36:19.359><c> to</c><00:36:19.520><c> be</c> prospective
• workers just waiting to be prospective workers just waiting to be hired<00:36:20.520><c> uh</c><00:36
• I’ve even heard from other districts where they have experienced UI applications over the two- to three-day

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I can tell you it's a very daunting prospect, made more daunting because as a woman who lives alone
• It permits municipalities to require an applicant for a major renovation or replacement of a pre-existing
• It allows that planning board or that zoning board, or whatever board you go to, to require the applicant

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities. Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance. There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• worker license to provide for community psychiatric support and treatment services, to provide for applicability
• it has to act within the scope of their license, Louisiana license, and in accordance with the applicable
• Greg explained, the difficulty in some of the hospital billings—there's DRGs, their outpatient prospective

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• strictly about privacy matters, private information, private health information of a client or prospective
• Yes, with the exception of the application of it to all pregnancy centers in Louisiana. Okay.
• personnel committee, to provide for the powers and duties of the committee, to provide for the application

Bills: HB611 , HB897 , HB902 , HB931 , HB1030 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1118 , HB1138 , HB1143 , HB1160 , HB1185 , HB1216

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services, confidentiality, client rights, Louisiana Pregnancy and Baby Care Initiative, trauma-informed, child education, mental health, training program, adverse childhood events, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not a prospective representative, but like I've said, the Missouri Republican Party's position
• So the same trigger that was applicable in 2017 is still applicable in 2026, a defect in that trigger

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee held a public hearing on H.J.R. 174 and then H.J.R. 173, both constitutional resolutions sponsored by Speaker Patterson and described as steps toward modernizing Missouri’s tax system by eliminating the state individual income tax and broadening sales taxes. Patterson argued the current tax structure is outdated, said the proposal would let voters decide whether to move forward, and emphasized that future legislation would set the details and guardrails. He and supporters said the plan would increase disposable income, attract businesses and residents, and could help lower property and personal property taxes by directing broader sales-tax revenue to local governments. Committee members pressed him on whether the proposal was too open-ended, whether it could raise taxes on goods and services, and how it would affect schools, seniors, and low-income Missourians. Patterson repeatedly said the next General Assembly would decide exemptions and rates, and that the bill was only the first step. Opponents, including the Missouri Budget Project, AARP, the Missouri Association of Realtors, the Consumers Council of Missouri, and trial and defense lawyers, warned the proposal would shift the tax burden onto lower- and middle-income residents, seniors, and people who rely on services. They argued that broadening sales taxes would likely make the tax code more regressive, raise consumer costs, and create uncertainty because the bill does not spell out exemptions for items such as health care, real estate services, utilities, or legal services. The Missouri Budget Project said its modeling suggested the state could face a large revenue shortfall and that most Missourians would pay more overall. AARP said older Missourians, especially those on fixed incomes, would be hit hardest, while the Realtors and utility advocates focused on the risk of higher housing and energy costs. Legal-services witnesses said taxing professional services would raise client costs and add administrative complexity. Supporters countered that Missouri’s current system disadvantages wage earners and does not reflect modern commerce, especially digital and service-based transactions. Witnesses in favor included economists, business owners, tax-reform advocates, and former lawmakers, who said income taxes do the most damage to growth, that states without income taxes tend to attract people and investment, and that Missouri needs a more competitive tax environment to keep and attract younger workers and entrepreneurs. Some supporters also said the proposal could help reduce property taxes and broaden the tax base to include out-of-state consumers and online commerce. The committee heard testimony from both sides but took no final vote in the portion provided; the chair limited testimony and questions to three minutes each and then moved from H.J.R. 174 to the identical H.J.R. 173 for additional testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CSU's ADN to BSN programs currently have no waitlist for qualified applicants.
• of 2022 by allowing California State University, University of California, and community college applicants
• in the country, and many UC workers are especially struggling with housing costs, and the actual prospect

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on access, affordability, workforce development, and campus operations. AB 662, by Assembly Member Alvarez, would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use intersegmental higher education institution in Chula Vista to address the lack of nearby public university access in South San Diego County. Supporters, including Southwestern College and the City of Chula Vista, described the region as a “college desert” and said the bill would help coordinate UC, CSU, and community college partners. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended motion. Members also heard AB 885, which would establish a College Access for All Fund to help address college affordability and student debt, and AB 730, which would provide funding to support development of a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages. Both measures drew support from higher education and labor groups, and both were advanced to Appropriations. AB 1400 proposed a pilot allowing up to 15 community college districts to offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing; supporters said it would expand affordable BSN access and help meet the nursing shortage, while CSU and nursing education groups opposed it, arguing existing ADN-to-BSN pathways and clinical/faculty limits made the proposal unnecessary or harmful. The committee still moved AB 1400 forward on a due pass vote. The committee also considered AB 1235, requiring CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, which supporters said would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities; it passed on a due pass vote. AB 1247, aimed at limiting contracting out of classified school and community college jobs and requiring stronger training and retirement protections, drew support from labor groups but opposition from school and community college organizations concerned about flexibility, costs, and implementation; it advanced on a divided vote. Finally, the committee heard AB 1470, which would allow student housing loan funds to be used in downtown and commercial districts, and ACA 3, which would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible support staff; both drew support from labor and housing advocates, while UC opposed ACA 3 as inconsistent with its mission and financially burdensome. The transcript ends during discussion of ACA 3, with no final action shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have great concerns with the prospect of new regulations that could supplant the program we have developed
• The bill gives HHSC or the applicable licensing board authority to enforce these requirements.
• population, as previously mentioned, setting us up for unlawful deportation and incarceration, if applicable

Bills: HB45 , HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money