Transcript Highlights:

• earlier for costs.
• earlier for costs.
• earlier for costs.
• </c> long-term cost uh plus uh uh 5%. long-term cost uh plus uh uh 5%.
• . costs. costs.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of federal program operations for the Office of Broadband.
• Is 20 feet of damage here going to be the equivalent cost?
• So I would imagine that that comes at a cost, an elevated cost to someone.
• Louisiana-based operations, having those protections in place as well.
• But so, just so you know, we operate 10 recycling facilities across the state.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have upfront costs?
• Do you have upfront costs?
• </c><05:41:15.120><c> uh</c><05:41:15.360><c> cost</c> not see the type of cost uh cost not see the type
• </c> fuel cost of our fossil fueled fleet. fuel cost of our fossil fueled fleet.
• </c> much will the cost be is is uncertain. much will the cost be is is uncertain.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I operate off a well. My well is contaminated.
• in every municipality in which they operate.
• , maintenance, and media replacement costs.
• to our health care system, the cost to our insurers, the cost to our municipalities, the cost to our
• The replacement cost for filter media last year was nearly $400,000, and these costs, of course, increase

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you all operate—CHP operates inspection facilities and weigh stations across our state.
• We also partner with tow operators in all the places where we operate.
• The DMV also ignored the most basic implementation costs: standing up these operations in California,
• Many transit agencies face challenges, including operational costs and others, but the management of
• We represent bus operators and school bus operators.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the department submits costs to the VA for reimbursement to offset those costs for construction
• Freeman and I'm the Chief Operating Freeman and I'm the Chief Operating Officer<00:21:37.000><c> from
• </c> Nancy Freeman I'm the Chief Operating Nancy Freeman I'm the Chief Operating Officer<00:21:43.640
• </c><00:33:28.840><c> for</c> billion this is the total of costs for billion this is the total of costs
• </c><00:55:35.640><c> and</c> largely related to our operations and largely related to our operations

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:18.480><c> and</c> option was highly cost-effective and option was highly cost-effective and
• Dirty air from fossil fuel cars cost us health care dollars as well as cost from environmental impacts
• The financial cost of ending decades.
• </c> cost-effective to extend service to St. cost-effective to extend service to St.
• </c> just come out of the DVS operating just come out of the DVS operating account<01:14:42.400><c> as

Transcript Highlights:

• But I believe IT should not be viewed as a cost or a cost center.
• cost causers are cost payers and the beneficiary of a project are the entities that pay.
• Fuel costs can go up.
• Transmission costs in large part are another one. Transmission costs are set by FERC.
• There are other costs that can be saved if you're part of an RTO, like operating costs and margins and

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• the program's ongoing operations.
• This includes personnel costs, operating expenses, and equipment.
• Issue 20: low-cost accommodations.
• We're making sure that, you know, we're working with the water operators and the reservoir operators
• costs.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• , do half of them operate?
• So cost of operations, which, as I said, is under a budget that's approved by the Attorney General's
• So cost of operations, which, as I said, is under a budget that's approved by the Attorney General's
• So cost of operations, which, as I said, is under a budget that's approved by the Attorney General's
• ><c> get</c> costs administrative costs people get costs administrative costs people get hired<05:22:

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned we have a cost share program.
• We're looking at our cost share and rethinking how it's done.
• We want to see that they are cost effective.
• That is a budget in need both environmentally sensitive and cost wise.
• Recent prolific case was the conclusion of Operation Viper, a long-term undercover operation which ended

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that one of the issues that was expressed was the cost, not the cost, the salaries that they're
• But resources cost money. Could you do more with more enforcement resources? Absolutely.
• Lower costs for the licensed industry, more enforcement, and higher costs for the illicit industry.
• The illicit market continues to operate in the state.
• At the same time, we must support licensees by reducing operational costs and creating pathways for long-term

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aaron Hoot, I'm the owner and operator of Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics.
• The burden of increasing insurance costs should not be made worse.
• To insurers to contain costs in the long run since there's about a $300,000 cost differential between
• It comes with a small cost.
• That says you can't do any cost sharing, nor can you account for the cost of this test in the premium

Bills: HB712 , HB722 , HB946 , HB1687 , HB1809 , HB1899 , HB2528 , HB2583 , HB2741 , HB2750 , HB3021 , HB3150 , HB3265 , HB3658 , HB3812 , HB3960 , HB4392 , HB4432

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeking funds for operational and programmatic costs to help us keep up with the almost overwhelming
• Additionally, the operating request would help offset operating costs for 5,600 home-delivered meals
• Additionally, the operating request would help offset operating costs for 5,600 home-delivered meals
• Additionally, the operating request would help offset operating costs for 5,600 home-delivered meals
• </c><02:30:34.960><c> coaches</c> our operational cost to hire two coaches our operational cost to hire

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• along with the contractor cost.
• Townships had 180 applications, 44% of the overall cost.
• It's a total cost of $18.4 million that would come out of the Flex Fund.
• And we run through all of those wells with each of those operators.
• IT operational fund. I've handed the packet out. I hope I got to everyone.

Committee: Joint Budget Section

Transcript Highlights:

• And all the decision-making that will lead to an approved operating plan or disapproval of an operating
• And then they oversee the mine operations as they're ongoing.
• This needs to be the operator that does it.
• Those will be installed at P&M costs. will be installed at P&M cost, and we very likely, when it's all
• That is going to cost millions of dollars by itself.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a maintenance and operations tax rate for a reason.
• Are they overestimating the initial cost?
• As the borrowing cost associated with that.
• You can also mislead by adding the interest costs to that.
• How would it be misleading to add the interest costs?

Bills: SB414 , SB621 , SB2395

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• They cannot afford the rising cost of energy and other basic necessities.
• Housing costs, energy costs, and prices of gasoline at the pump continue to rise, putting real strain
• Housing costs, energy costs, prices of gasoline at the pumpkin. you today.
• Housing costs, energy costs, prices of gasoline at the pump continue to rise, putting real strain on
• By reducing the upfront costs of purchasing the equipment and technology that manufacturers need to operate

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• One underlying driver of rising health care costs is the cost of prescription drugs, which has increased
• for safety, effectiveness, and the cost.
• It’s the cost-sharing issue or the co-pays.
• In addition to the obvious financial costs, there are many invisible costs that have had a profound effect
• Co-pays can be cost-prohibitive for many patients.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• There are over 700 operations around the state.
• If somebody wanted to operate a coal mining operation outside of those lands, then yes, the Department
• On the back page, you'll see operations and then uses of funds.
• These recommendations are pretty large in cost.
• We also have a state program where we can install gauges at a lower cost.