Transcript Highlights:

• But you trust the veterinarians in this state to do what's right, whether it's telemedicine or not.
• Thank you, and you trust your professional judgment to know when it's appropriate to tell that owner
• And again, this is a mandate from the city of Austin for their zero... ...whatever, blah blah blah, and
• I work with Zero Waste Efforts.
• Even better, is why consumers across the world trust our product.

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• the trust fund was established to direct settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors
• We landed at zero for preeminence funding this year.
• We landed at zero for preeminent funding this year.
• Lock the board, record the vote. 36 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.
• If all senators voted, lock the board and record the vote. 36 yeas, zero nays, Mr. President.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1, by Representative Eaves, to reduce the income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates
• By a vote of 79 yeas, 18 nays, and zero present, the bill has passed.
• By a vote of 79 yeas, 18 nays, and zero present, the bill has passed.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then recognized guests including law enforcement, a doctor and nurse of the day, school groups, and the Highland High School state championship band. After dispensing with the previous day’s journal and noting no committee reports or unfinished business, the chamber proceeded to final action on Senate Bill 1, which would reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. Representative Eaves explained that it was the Senate version of the House bill passed the day before, and the House passed the bill by a vote of 79 yeas to 18 nays. Before adjournment, the Speaker offered extensive recognition to members who were leaving the House due to term limits or other reasons, including members of the 2011 freshman class and several others who would not return for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber gave them applause and arranged for group photos. Representative Fred Allen then delivered a personal privilege speech reflecting on his long battle with stage four cancer, thanking colleagues for their support and encouragement over the years and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve. With all items on the governor’s proclamation completed, Representative John Milligan moved that the House adjourn sine die the first extraordinary session of the 95th General Assembly and consent to the Senate doing the same. The motion carried, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• When a family uses a referral agency, they are trusting that they are getting all of the information
• After everyone had registered, there were 12 for this bill, zero against, and zero on. So it's.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Transcript Highlights:

• With 63 I, zero no, and two excused, House Bill 1432 is adopted.
• With 63 ayes, zero no, and two excused, the amendment is adopted.
• address here because I don't trust address here because I don't trust government<03:08:46.399>
• There is absolutely<03:16:07.600> zero<03:16:08.319> guarantee absolutely zero guarantee
• With 62 I votes, zero no votes, and three excused, the motion is adopted.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House opened with a quorum call, a Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal in a lighthearted exchange honoring Representative Bacon’s father. Members then announced upcoming committee meetings, including State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs; Finance; and Appropriations. The chamber moved into third reading and took up a series of bills, with several laid over or moved on the calendar before votes began. The House adopted House Bill 1433 on firefighter behavioral health benefits, House Bill 1416 on transfers from the Universal High School Scholarship Cash Fund, and House Bill 1431 on occupational licensure portability. It also adopted House Bill 1426, a Department of Law report bill, after a technical third-reading amendment correcting numbering errors. House Bill 1063, requiring an accessible list of secure transportation providers on certain department websites, also passed. In addition, the chamber adopted Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District, Senate Bill 93 on workers’ compensation coverage compliance, Senate Bill 175 on experience modification factors in workers’ compensation, Senate Bill 131 on abusive practices in sports betting, Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding, Senate Bill 157 on a town with critical water infrastructure, Senate Bill 154 on Colorado Channel Authority Board appointments, and House Bill 1286 requiring a human present when an automated driving system operates a commercial motor vehicle. House Bill 1422, concerning security measures for certain governmental entities, drew the most extended debate. Representative Luck opposed it, citing concerns about creating a legislative police force, language affecting online speech and constituent conduct, and what she described as a workaround for TABOR. Representative Clifford explained the bill’s security provisions and sought a technical amendment to address local records language; the amendment and the bill both passed, though with notable opposition. House Bill 1424, increasing protections for persons engaged with transportation network companies, also prompted extensive testimony from Representative Wilford, who described her own assault by a rideshare driver and argued that Uber and Lyft have minimized and obscured sexual assault data while failing to protect riders; after a technical amendment, the bill passed. The House then continued with additional third-reading votes, including House Bill 1325 on natural medicine, which passed despite some opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to build trust just like anybody else.
• And I'm going to zero in on that service for youth.
• , as we have identified zero students in the zero-to-three age range.
• Because you seem surprised when you read the zero.
• The functional scoring system uses zero to three, and zero is independent.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• , level, it chips away at their trust, level, it chips away at their trust, their<00:18:07.440>
• <00:18:14.559> Restoring<00:18:15.120> trust<00:18:15.440> by reform bill is
• Restoring trust by reform bill is about.
• Okay, there's seven yes and zero no. Motion prevails. Hi. Senator Housechild. Yes. Senator Hi.
• Okay, there's seven yes and zero Lane.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero, as seen on the DHHS website, to give you a little refresher about what Mission Zero is within
• zero zero is<00:19:18.799> within<00:19:19.200> that<00:19:19.440> plan<00:19:20.120
• plan Mission zero is a is within that plan Mission zero is a collaborative<00:19:22.080> effort
• <00:19:33.919> twice we have achieved Mission zero twice we have achieved Mission zero twice
• Mental Health Plan and our mission zero Mental Health Plan and our mission zero work<01:43:02.800

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That bill passes four to zero. That bill passes four to zero? I mean, four to two. Four to two.
• That bill passes seven to zero. Next, file item number six, SB 328, Grayson.
• That bill passes seven to zero. Next is file item number seven, SB 711, McNerney.
• It passes seven to zero. The bill passes seven to zero.
• That bill passes seven to zero. File item number 12, SB 419, Cabrero.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• platforms that better serve their needs and delete their data from platforms that have lost their trust
• Thank you. ...for their attention, but also for their trust, safety, and well-being.
• For one, deepfakes and the other side of the coin, the liar's dividend, they erode trust.
• Obviously, AI-generated media is increasingly sophisticated and can undermine trust in elections and
• And with that, the bill reports 20 to zero. Thank you so much, Senator Reese. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you trust these shops with your own kids?
• Would you trust the owner to do the right thing and turn them away?
• Texans should be trusted with THC just like they are trusted with alcohol, tobacco, and guns.
• Federally legal hemp THC has zero confirmed deaths. Thank you for your time.
• We specialize in all-natural products with zero synthetics.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, it's four to zero. We'll keep that on call.
• That's four to zero on call.
• Okay, it's four to zero. We'll keep that on call.
• It's tax-exempted on zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment.
• It's a zero-emission vehicle proposal, and we love the concept.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes a sledgehammer to the state's collective bargaining process and the trust of the state employees
• The unemployment trust fund is the fund that has that. Thank you. Thank you for that.
• I currently telework full time, I pay zero for parking, and that's how it should be.
• There is zero telework, 52% of the state employees. All right, so how many do Did you say 250?
• So this is about having that trust.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we thank you again for the honor you've shown us by trusting us to help you with this work.
• We are humbled by the trust you've placed in us. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• There being five ayes and zero nays, the committee report is adopted.
• There being five ayes and zero nays, the committee report is adopted. Thank you, Chairman Meyer.
• Romero, a Texas Highway Patrol trooper, was tragically killed yesterday after There being five eyes and zero

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourteen yes, zero no. >> YES. >> REPRESENTATIVE BERFIELD.  371 >> YES.
•   382 >> FOURTEEN YES, ZERO NO. 383 >> Chair: MEMBERS BY YOUR VOTE PCS FOR HB 1059 IS
• Representative Owen: Yes. >> Representative Tendrich: Yes. >> Representative Yarkosky: Yes. >> 14 yes, zero
• It is wonderful to lead this committee, and I must thank Speaker Perez and Chair Canady for their trust
• LEAD THIS COMMITTEE AND  I MUST THANK SPEAKER PEREZ AND CHAIR CANADY   731 FOR THEIR TRUST

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two PCS bills. PCS for HB 1059, by Rep. Booth, would designate the first week of November as Florida Speech and Debate Week to recognize speech and debate programs and the educators, coaches, judges, and school districts that support them. Supporters, including students and advocates, testified that speech and debate builds critical thinking, civics knowledge, confidence, and respectful civil discourse, and several members praised the students’ testimony and the program’s value. The bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 851, by Rep. Long, which requires each school district’s professional learning system to include at least one annual autism-specific training opportunity for teachers and school-based administrators, developed with the Center for Autism and grounded in evidence-based practices. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give educators practical tools to support students with autism, while members asked questions about scope, virtual training, charter schools, and the relationship to existing law. Public testimony and member debate largely supported the bill, with speakers emphasizing the need for better educator preparation and inclusion for students with autism. The bill also passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members and the chair offered brief closing remarks thanking colleagues and staff and reflecting on the committee’s work, with the chair noting it may have been the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, you know, I believe in trust, but verify is really important.
• people who've been put in place to protect, especially our women who are incarcerated, betray that trust
• adopts and updates regularly the Prison Rape Elimination policy and make clear that CDCR maintains a zero-tolerance
• This bill has a commendable goal of, quote, zero tolerance for sexual violence.
• This bill has a commendable goal of, quote, zero tolerance for sexual violence.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met and adopted a consent calendar that included SB 4, SB 229, SB 385, SB 459, and SB 553. SB 221 was pulled by the committee and will return later. The committee then heard several bills, with members repeatedly noting the next hearing would be July 1 in Room 126. SB 281 by Senator Perez would require judges to use the exact statutory immigration-consequences advisement when taking pleas from noncitizen defendants. Supporters said judges have been deviating from the required language, creating confusion and harming defendants; opponents, including district attorneys, warned that the bill could affect plea withdrawals and appellate litigation unless amended. The committee discussed possible amendments, including a nonretroactivity clarification and language proposed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and the bill was passed on call. SB 337 by Senator Menjivar would strengthen protections against sexual abuse and misconduct in prisons, especially women’s prisons, by requiring documentation of searches, extending grievance timelines, limiting hiring of people with violent or sexual convictions, and improving investigation procedures. Supporters emphasized staff abuse, retaliation concerns, and the need for oversight; opposition testimony focused on transgender inmate placement and was criticized by committee members as not germane. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 379 by Senator Jones, dealing with oversight of sexually violent predator conditional release placements, passed to Appropriations after support from law enforcement and prosecutors and no opposition. SB 734 by Senator Caballero, which would provide due process protections for law enforcement officers affected by California Racial Justice Act findings, also passed to Appropriations with support from police and district attorney groups and no opposition. SB 551 by Senator Cortese, which would codify normalization and dynamic security principles in corrections, passed to Appropriations despite concerns from one member that it went too far in making prisons too home-like.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1455, Bryan, zone zero regulations: do pass as amended to strike the certified regulatory program
• AB 689, Irwin, zero trust architecture: do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 689, Irwin, zero trust architecture: do pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while ridership on the system is trending upward, we know that we need to earn their trust every
• We know that we need to earn their trust every day as we strive to make transportation the preferred
• mode of travel, or that the riding public can trust and rely on it today and in the future.
• Their trust in me and the support and the partnership of this legislature has enabled us to continue
• In 2024, we also made solid progress on our net zero by 2031 commitment, and we will not waver.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational hearing with invited testimony from MassDOT leadership, the MBTA, Massport, and the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. MassDOT officials outlined work across highways, rail and transit, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics, emphasizing major capital spending, bridge and roadway programs, transit grants, rail expansion, airport safety, and modernization efforts. They highlighted Chapter 90 and municipal grant programs, the Compass Rail and West-East Rail efforts, RMV upgrades such as electronic titles and driver licensing systems, and aeronautics work on airport pavement, drones, and advanced air mobility. Committee members focused on safety, service access, and project implementation. Questions to MassDOT covered automated enforcement and rising roadway fatalities, the Allston multimodal project’s federal funding, Complete Streets access for rural communities, and South Coast Rail staffing and future electrification. The RMV was asked about the Work and Family Mobility Act, Real ID demand, and appointment access, especially in Metro West. Members also raised concerns about South Coast Rail operations, Keolis staffing, and whether the Stoughton route remains part of future plans; MassDOT and MBTA officials said they are working on staffing, service reliability, and long-term expansion, while noting that nothing is off the table for future rail improvements. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng reported progress including workforce growth, elimination of subway speed restrictions, expanded reduced-fare access, bus network redesign, South Coast Rail launch, and commuter rail signal upgrades. He said the agency is pursuing a new commuter rail operating contract designed to support future regional rail, electrification, and higher-frequency service, while maintaining service and workforce stability amid funding uncertainty. Members also asked about fare collection data privacy and the impact of state funding levels; Eng said the MBTA needs the governor’s proposed funding to preserve service and staffing, and that the fare system’s data are encrypted and handled through a secure vendor system. Massport CEO Rich Davey reported record activity at Logan, Worcester, and the cruise and maritime facilities, along with major capital and climate investments such as sustainable aviation fuel planning, shore power at Flynn Cruiseport, renewable diesel, and expanded ground transportation. He said Massport is planning for continued passenger growth and managing congestion through parking, HOV, and curbside changes, while monitoring federal policy, tariffs, and air traffic control staffing issues. Federal Funds Director Quentin Palfrey described the administration’s efforts to secure federal infrastructure dollars, citing about $9 billion in federal awards since the start of the administration, including major transportation grants for the Cape Cod Bridges, Allston, West-East Rail, North Station drawbridge replacement, roadway safety, and clean school buses. He warned that changing federal policies, grant delays, and possible future congressional actions create uncertainty, but said the office is working case-by-case with municipalities and agencies to protect awarded funds and find alternative financing where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's just no, like there's no way as a mayor I would say, hey, I trust the state of California
• Consent is out seven to zero. Okay, now back on. We'll continue.
• Out seven to zero. And that is out seven to zero.
• And that bill is out 7 to 0. ...out seven to zero. We'll continue with file item number 5.
• Thank you. out seven to zero. We'll continue with file item number 5. That's it. That's it. Okay.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for students in kindergarten through second grade beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s math outcomes are too low and that early screening is a quick, developmentally appropriate tool that would not mandate curriculum or high-stakes testing. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill adds a mandate without funding, could narrow instruction, and may lead to premature labeling or deficit-based thinking. Committee members discussed how the screeners would work and whether they would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further assessment; the bill was left on call due to lack of quorum at the time of the hearing. SB 1110 was also presented as a child care subsidy administration measure that would stabilize funding for alternative payment programs and better distinguish administrative overhead from direct family services. Senator Becker and witnesses from the Child Care Resource Center and Every Child California said the bill would help providers manage enrollment, compliance, staffing, and payment timelines as the state transitions to enrollment-based funding. No opposition testimony was offered, and the bill received a favorable committee comment, but no vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established. The committee then heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence not directed at a specific person. CSU and San Diego State University representatives described incidents where threats against a campus could not be addressed through current restraining-order law, and said the bill would close that gap and improve campus safety. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was left on call pending quorum. Later, the committee discussed SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial education and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math preparation. Supporters, including the author and a community college union representative, said the audit would help identify the scope of basic-skills gaps and inform policy. Some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual audit-request process, but the bill was placed on hold for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would direct model ordinances and statutory definitions for these small learning settings; after extensive questioning about definitions, oversight, and local land-use issues, the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program to allow Central Valley schools to communicate with regional threat assessment centers about credible safety concerns, with the author and a victim’s mother describing it as a prevention tool after a student homicide; committee members expressed support for stronger coordination and guardrails, and the bill was discussed further as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in Minnesota, we meet that with zero tolerance.
• And in Minnesota, we meet that with zero And in Minnesota, we meet that with zero tolerance.<00:
• And grants from appropriations from the environmental and natural resources trust fund, legacy fund,
• <00:54:55.560> fund,<00:54:56.160> legacy and natural resources trust fund, legacy
• and natural resources trust fund, legacy fund,<00:54:57.240> and<00:54:57.400> capital<

Bills: HF4364, HF4821, HF4543, HF3945

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Summary: The committee first approved the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held an informal hearing on House File 4364, which would establish a Central and Eastern European Ethnic Council in Minnesota. Representative Jordan and testifiers Mykola Mager and Julia Miller described the large Central and Eastern European community in Minnesota, its contributions to the state, and the need for a formal advisory body to help address barriers to government services, support refugees, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. Members expressed general support and noted the bill’s importance, but no formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House File 4543, a bill to create a centralized payroll reporting portal for prevailing wage projects. Representative Frazier said the bill would reduce administrative burden on project owners, improve transparency and accountability, and help prevent wage theft, misclassification, tax fraud, and insurance fraud. Testifiers from county, city, and contractor groups largely supported the idea of streamlining reporting, but contractor representatives raised concerns about employee data privacy, public access to sensitive payroll information, duplication of existing systems, interoperability with contractor software, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Members echoed both support and caution, and the bill was laid over as amended rather than advanced. Finally, the committee considered House File 4821, described by Chair Klevorn as addressing the “penny problem” and a related change to high-deductible insurance plans. The bill would authorize state agencies to round cash transactions because of the penny shortage and would change MMB’s obligation to offer certain high-deductible health plans from “must” to “may,” producing modest administrative savings. Members questioned the drafting of the rounding language and asked about cash transactions at state agencies and the handling of cannabis tax payments. The chair noted the bill had missed the deadline and would be caught by the chief clerk’s office; the discussion ended with the bill being laid over as amended.