Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:46.640> uh<00:48:46.800> the deal with using the permitted uh the deal with
• using the permitted uh the permit<00:48:47.359> Authority<00:48:47.800> they<00:48:48.079
• Paul does have to have what’s called an MS4 permit, a stormwater permit, so there are certain things
• <01:03:39.279> so<01:03:39.520> there permit a storm waterer permit so there permit
• No, mine, mine. Just a couple of comments and a short question.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's where a delegated program; EPA has delegated us the authority to permit these activities.
• The permitting program. Our program does not go out and take samples and do testing.
• The requirements for the permits that we issue are consistent.
• , we're building permits that are consistent with federal and state rules, protective permits, and then
• There's kind of a dividing line in the TCEQ permits process. of biosolids.

Bills: HB1341, HB1674, HB4028, SB2321

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to share a short story of mine. In L.A.
• And the challenge with this metal theft—the other irony is that I'm from a copper mining family.
• I know they're still mining it in New York, in their underground tunnels.
• Christina endured all of this and still was not permitted to visit her husband that day. AB 2434.
• Christina endured all of this and still was not permitted to visit her husband that day.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The most important of these would be to permit the program to transition to need-based distribution.
• /c><00:55:36.760> to Hawaii in 2001 we passed a bill to Hawaii in 2001 we passed a bill to permit
• pharmacies sales of syringes to permit pharmacies sales of syringes to prevent<00:55:40.160> um
• <02:09:04.719> uh<02:09:04.800> we testimony uh a good buddy of mine uh we testimony
• uh a good buddy of mine uh we dodged<02:09:05.320> the<02:09:05.400> bombs<02:09:05.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a seven-day pass, so someone who might not be sure if they're wanting to get the full permit
• come<00:17:37.600> in<00:17:37.840> check<00:17:38.039> it get the full permit
• Then I forgot to mention, just introduce yourself so it comes from your voice, not mine.
• okay my name is Rick Anderson I'm mine okay my name is Rick Anderson I'm chair<00:37:33.880> of
• was always use your Trail your permit was always use your Trail your permit money<00:57:31.319><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, not a constituent of mine, but has to drive through a great district to go anywhere.
• And, uh, not a constituent of mine, but has to drive through a great district to go anywhere.
• And uh not a constituent<00:51:25.839> of<00:51:26.000> mine,<00:51:26.160> but<
• McGa as well, great friend of mine, actually.
• McGagna as well, great friend of mine McGagna as well, great friend of mine actually.<01:13:43.600

Bills: HB0015, HB0017, HB0019

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The policy may permit up to physical activity 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes per week. It may.
• The policy may permit up to physical activity 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes per week. It may.
• The policy may permit up to says.
• <01:30:46.159> She's<01:30:46.400> now kindergarten student of mine.
• She's now kindergarten student of mine.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the August 20 meeting, and then heard testimony from Representative Steven Doan on House Bill 439, a school nutrition bill aimed at restricting certain ultra-processed foods in schools. Doan said the bill was inspired by his own health journey and his work in agriculture, and he described the measure as targeting specific chemical additives in foods served during the school day, not concession sales or after-hours activities. He said the bill would phase in later to give schools time to adjust and noted that the list of restricted additives was drawn from efforts in other states and advocacy groups. Members asked about the chemical abstract numbers, fiscal impact, summer meal programs, fundraisers, and whether the bill would affect parent-provided items; Doan said he had not done a fiscal note and explained that the bill was intended to apply only during instructional time on school property. Committee members generally reacted favorably, with some raising practical concerns about cost and implementation. One member asked about high fructose corn syrup, which Doan said was not included because it is too pervasive in the food system. Another member noted that schools already limit some homemade items and asked about the line between school-provided and parent-provided food. Doan also said the list was based in part on Turning Point USA materials and similar laws in other states, and he referenced federal efforts to define ultra-processed foods. The committee then heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials Matt Ross, Lauren Moore, and Katie Embry on school meals and nutrition programs. They outlined Kentucky’s school lunch, breakfast, summer meals, and other USDA child nutrition programs, including participation and reimbursement figures, and explained how community eligibility provision schools, meal patterns, offer-versus-serve, smart snacks, and local wellness policies work. They said USDA and FDA are currently seeking public input on a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, that there are no current USDA requirements specifically on ultra-processed foods, and that schools already operate under federal and state rules governing competitive foods, including a state time restriction on smart snacks. They also discussed local purchasing, noting its benefits but also the procurement and staffing challenges schools face. No votes or final actions on the bill were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:33:21.520> mine<03:33:21.760> didn't<03:33:21.960> get<03:33:22.120>
• over it wasn't mine mine didn't get over it wasn't mine mine didn't get over there<03:33:22.960><
• Tracking these situations will permit future reports to be more accurate.
• Tracking these situations will permit future reports to be more accurate.
• tracking these situations will permit tracking these situations will permit future<04:05:22.880>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:01:48.000> extremely<00:01:48.560> close<00:01:48.799> to<00:01:49.040> mine
• <00:01:50.159> Um, is extremely close to mine. Um, is extremely close to mine.
• to participate uh they are uh permitted to participate uh as<00:36:16.800> a<00:36:16.960>
• So, on page seven, as one<00:36:18.880> of<00:36:19.040> the<00:36:19.440> permitted
• u council that they may be a permitted u council that they may be a member<00:36:35.520> of<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of the Office of Ombuds for Families (OBFF). Auditors said the office remains important because of Minnesota’s long history of racial disparities in the child protection system, but they found major problems with how OBFF is operating. The report said OBFF’s statutory duties are very broad compared with its small staff and budget, and that the ombuds persons are not carrying out all required duties while spending substantial time on activities not required by law. Auditors also said the office’s recent impact is unclear and that its complaint-handling work has significant deficiencies, including poor documentation, limited data, few policies, inconsistent handling, and failure to follow best practices. The presentation also focused on oversight and accountability. Auditors said OBFF’s three community boards, which are supposed to appoint and oversee the ombuds persons, have not provided adequate oversight: meeting requirements were often not met, attendance was low, and there was little evidence the boards were fulfilling their statutory duties. The auditors further said OBFF’s unusual structure, with no single designated leader and shared authority among the three ombuds persons, creates unclear lines of accountability. Their recommendations included revising OBFF’s statutory duties to better match legislative goals and resources, improving complaint-handling practices, strengthening board oversight, and establishing a single leadership position for the office. Members asked follow-up questions about racial disproportionality in out-of-home care, spending on nonrequired activities, and whether the ombuds persons met statutory qualification requirements. Auditors referred members to the report for more detailed data, said the office does not track expenditures by function, and noted that while the ombuds persons have relevant professional backgrounds, the evaluation raised concerns about whether they are meeting their duties as expected. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hauschild, do you want to comment on the permitting bill as it relates to SAF?
• We have a permitting reform bill that is authored by myself, Senator Icorn across the aisle, as well
• Senator Hauschild, do you want to comment on the permitting bill as it relates to SAF?
• Senator Hauschild, do you want to comment on the permitting bill as it relates to SAF?
• Senator Hauschild, do you want to comment on the permitting bill as it relates to SAF?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe an appropriate sanction would be that respondent should not be permitted to discuss anything
• I believe an appropriate sanction would be that respondent should not be permitted to discuss anything
• <00:02:14.000> to respondent should not be permitted to respondent should not be permitted
• want to put it in as evidence >> I don't want to put it in as evidence with<00:58:23.119> mine
• redacted and his not because I with mine redacted and his not because I think<00:58:26.319> two

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The commission heard argument on a renewed motion to compel discovery and related sanctions in an ethics case. Enforcement counsel said the respondent had provided incomplete and inconsistent discovery responses, including no authenticated medical records, and asked the commission to compel full interrogatory answers, bar the respondent from relying on unsupported medical claims at hearing, allow subpoenas for medical records and an LRC report, and continue the December 2 hearing. Respondent’s counsel replied that the defense had complied with discovery, that medical records were being withheld for reasons previously discussed, and that no outstanding discovery remained. The next matter was enforcement counsel’s motion in limine, which sought to exclude a wide range of evidence as irrelevant to the three ethics charges already found to have probable cause. Counsel argued the hearing should focus only on whether the respondent intimidated Fox’s, offered a favor in exchange for a donation, and engaged in inappropriate conduct while intoxicated in his office, and not on complainants’ motives, media coverage, bullying, religious discrimination claims, LRC policies, or other legislators’ conduct. He also argued that any claim of mental or physical condition should be excluded absent supporting medical proof. Respondent’s counsel opposed the motion, saying the excluded topics went to witness credibility, bias, motive, and context, and that LRC materials and testimony from additional witnesses were important to the defense. Commission members questioned both sides about the breadth of the motion in limine and whether any topics could be agreed to as irrelevant. Counsel for the respondent maintained that some challenged topics, including Lexington media coverage and broader legislative practices, were relevant to credibility and context. Enforcement counsel responded that even if such conduct were common, it would not excuse a violation of the ethics code. No final ruling or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While I appreciate this testimony and, and any colleague of mine that Brings a bill to this legislative
• So I had, I had dinner last night with a, with a colleague of mine, a district attorney who told me this
• We'll call our witnesses here and I'll certainly permit you to close.
• Don't let another survivor come before you two years from now, telling a story like mine.
• Let mine be the last. Please vote yes for HB. 1953.

Bills: HB47

Keywords: HB 47, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem taxes, property tax, voter-approval tax rate, tax rate election, taxing unit, injunction, taxpayer rights, property owner, local government finance, tax refund, attorney's fees, court costs, voter-approved tax increase, tax reform, municipal taxes, county taxes, school district taxes, bond election

Transcript Highlights:

• facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• sunset review report, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau argued that local governments who initially permitted
• these sites for the The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau argued that local governments who initially permitted
• Public cemetery districts play no role in the permitting or zoning of these parcels for these operations
• A colleague of mine continues to recount the fear and distress she experienced after an incarcerated

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1312 by Senator Richardson on abandoned endowed-care cemeteries. Richardson described vandalism, theft, and neglect at abandoned cemeteries and said the bill would define abandonment, create a process for local governments to declare a cemetery abandoned, and allow the Bureau to act as conservator of endowment funds. Support came from Marin County, while county and special district groups opposed or had concerns, arguing the bill could shift burdens to local governments or public cemetery districts without enough safeguards. Members expressed general support but noted the need for further work; the bill was discussed but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 758 by Senator Umberg, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide to curb misuse. Supporters, including the League of California Cities, narcotic officers, counties, pediatricians, and other local governments and health groups, said easy access at smoke shops and convenience stores has fueled recreational abuse and health harms. There was no opposition testimony, and members voiced strong support for a statewide approach over city-by-city bans. The bill was well received, with the author closing in support. Dr. Weber-Pierson presented SB 1094, a health care affordability bill on biosimilars and biologic substitution. The bill would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars under certain conditions, require advance notice to providers and patients, and add reporting on savings; the author said amendments would strengthen provider notice and preserve the ability to mark prescriptions “do not substitute.” Supporters from health plans, insurers, pharmacies, labor, business, and some provider groups argued the bill would lower costs and expand access. Opponents, including dermatology and rheumatology groups and biotech interests, warned about non-medical switching, prior authorization delays, and patient harm. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 13-0 to pass SB 1094 to the Committee on Health. The committee also passed SB 849 by Dr. Weber-Pierson, which would bar reinstatement of physicians who surrendered their licenses while a sexual misconduct accusation was pending. The Medical Board and California Medical Association were generally supportive or neutral, and members praised the bill’s patient-protection focus. SB 993 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which limits routine disclosure of identifying information for mental health professionals in correctional and psychiatric settings while preserving complaint processes, also passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 1002 by Senator Niello, extending the David Hall Act to allow certain patients in remission to continue telehealth care with out-of-state specialists, drew strong patient support but opposition from the Medical Board and CMA over licensure and oversight concerns; the committee voted it out on a split roll with some members not voting. Finally, SB 1263 by Senator McGuire, aimed at protecting wildfire survivors and workers by requiring licensed, trained contractors for post-disaster residential debris removal, received support from labor and the Contractors State License Board, with contractors raising a narrower amendment concern about scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• But yeah, I'd have to leave that to smarter minds than mine.
• That means streamlining, excuse me, approvals and permitting wherever we can.
• Permitting and transmission interconnection are listed by the industry as the biggest challenges that
• government is also just very, very concerning in terms of—it’s not just the tax policies, it's permitting
• They're canceling permits for projects that have already been permitted.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said Senate Bill 89 addresses two issues in the area of permitting. industry were experiencing from
• to calculate the amount of the bonds required when long-term treatment of water is occurring at a mine
• requirement, or condition shall be more stringent than the federal government, and also says that no permit
• <00:17:59.280> says<00:17:59.640> that<00:18:00.159> no<00:18:00.799> permit
• <00:18:01.159> to and and also says that no permit to and and also says that no permit to

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 SB 89 Discussion 00:59 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 24:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee met in a special called session, confirmed a quorum, and took up Senate Bill 89. The sponsor, Scott Maiden, said the bill was intended to address permitting issues affecting coal and other industries, and he described it as supported by a broad coalition of business, agriculture, and industry groups. He said the bill would align Kentucky’s definition of “waters of the Commonwealth” with federal definitions and would codify the existing definition and calculation method for long-term treatment bond requirements at mine sites. He also emphasized that the bill would not eliminate groundwater protections, drinking water protections, or prohibitions on hazardous substance dumping. A committee amendment was discussed and adopted to add and clarify definitions, including navigable waters, sinkholes with open drains, certain springs, and wellhead protection areas. The sponsor said the amendment was intended to address concerns that the bill was too broad and noted that it was worked on with Louisville Water and other stakeholders. Testimony in opposition came from Rebecca Shelton of Appalachian Citizens Law Center, who argued the bill would leave private wells and groundwater vulnerable and cited groundwater contamination data. Nick Hart of Kentucky Waterways Alliance urged the committee to preserve the current definition and requested a statutory review and economic impact analysis. Audrey Ernsberger of Kentucky Resources Council said the bill would strip protections from most groundwater, ephemeral streams, karst aquifers, and many private wells, and warned of higher water-treatment costs and pollution risks. Members asked questions about the meaning of “carcinogenic” and the difficulty of cleaning up contamination in private wells. During roll call, several members explained their votes, with supporters saying the amendment protected water while preserving needed flexibility for industry, and opponents saying they could not risk weakening water protections or harming private wells and agriculture. The committee voted to pass SB 89 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the Senate, and then moved to roll the committee amendment into a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• We always see the nursery and floral industry They have to get a permit from us, we inspect those, make
• , financial services and purchasing, human resources. information technology, program records and permits
• market, the right to haul, and the Difficulty we have is the law now states if you have a trucking permit
• to haul logs and Several other commodities here have similar permits, but the requirement is if they
• now overweight on that lateral road, which you know frankly doesn't make sense if you give them a permit

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motor Vehicles, allowing them to issue the permit in accordance with federal law.
• Maybe sell permits—maybe try carrot instead of the stick.
• A permit from the state; this bill would say we'd have to apply for a permit with the city as well, but
• they have to grant the permit to allow us to comply with the relocation.
• and we receive it, then the city has to grant us a permit for that location as well.

Bills: HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• state universities from conducting candidate polling activities related directly to candidates, but permits
• efforts should be redoubled to encourage more men to enter the medical field, space exploration, mining
• efforts should be redoubled to encourage more men to enter the medical field, space exploration, mining
• He was born on a farm, and it changed his trajectory and thereby mine, certainly.
• He was born on a farm, and it changed his trajectory and thereby mine, certainly.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• As they say, it takes a village, and I am very grateful and lucky to have mine.
• So a cold shutdown would be maintaining, you know, the permits that we need for anything that we have
• So be that, you know, like fuel storage or maintaining a levy or something like that, any sort of permits

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met with quorum and first considered several governor’s appointments not required to appear. The committee voted to advance Olivia May Assuncion to the Commission on Disability Access, William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, and two California Law Revision Commission appointments: Anacubas and David Hubner, with the latter two receiving split votes but still moving forward. The committee also approved the reference of bills to committees and later, by unanimous add-on votes, approved floor acknowledgments and the remaining appointments on the agenda. The main hearing was on Brian Bishop’s appointment as Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR. Bishop described his law enforcement and Marine Corps background and said his focus would be balancing public safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and staff well-being. Senators asked about risk assessment for higher-risk parolees, GPS monitoring, coordination with local law enforcement, victim protections, out-of-county placement, supervision of unhoused parolees, and oversight of private reentry/housing contractors. Bishop said DAPO uses data-driven supervision, risk tools, compliance sweeps with local agencies, exclusion zones for victims, and contract monitoring through invoices, site visits, and utilization reviews. Public testimony supported Bishop’s confirmation, including from reentry providers and advocacy groups. The committee then voted 5-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate for confirmation. The committee also heard from Sarah Larson, appointed Director of the Division of Facilities Management and Construction at CDCR. Larson discussed aligning the prison footprint with a declining population, addressing aging infrastructure and heat issues through cooling pilots, and using projects like the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center as a model for safer, more healing facilities. Senators asked about prison closures, cold shutdown status, disaster planning, water and utility issues, and how to manage closed or deactivated facilities. Larson said closed facilities are maintained minimally, reactivation would be costly, and the department is exploring more holistic infrastructure planning. Public witnesses from criminal justice and reentry organizations strongly supported her, and the committee voted 5-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• As they say, it takes a village, and I am very grateful and lucky to have mine.
• So a cold shutdown would be maintaining the permits that we need for anything that we have at the facility
• , so be that fuel storage or maintaining a levee or something like that, any sort of permits, those kinds

Keywords: 987, senate, all