Transcript Highlights:

• c> in</c><00:43:26.960><c> the</c> interest for some of us in the interest for some of us in the legislature
• To be able to identify where those financial conflicts of interest are with any level of specificity
• So after the financial conflict of interest is identified and has already occurred, we can go back after
• A conflict of interest arises when someone has a financial interest in one of the businesses or entities
• one</c><01:29:27.920><c> of</c><01:29:28.080><c> the</c> financial interest in one of the financial interest

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Missouri in support of this bill.
• cover some of the cost of the oversight.
• What's interesting about the Division of Finance is that I was at a meeting this past summer with a couple
• And the interest that he earns off of that, which he has disclosed to the depositors that he's going
• And so during that 30-day period, I think that the seller of the property should receive that interest

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> conflict of interest in its stated conflict of interest in its stated method<00:53:12.920><c> of
• </c> interest currently only about 10% of interest currently only about 10% of State<00:54:13.079><c>
• c> is</c> the conflict of interest this bill is the conflict of interest this bill is the<00:54:57.000
• Ideally, the preservation of communities of interest will be closer to the top.
• ><c> as</c> have a copy of her full statement as have a copy of her full statement as well<00:58:52.760

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I went back to school, part of the barrier to that is just all of the testing and the financial
• c><00:18:39.200><c> if</c><00:18:39.440><c> we</c> interest of the whole state if we interest of the
• That's sort of my statement on that. Thank you, Senator Gustafson.
• </c><00:37:31.119><c> Thank</c><00:37:31.359><c> you,</c> sort of my statement on that.
• Thank you, sort of my statement on that. Thank you, Senator<00:37:31.839><c> Gust.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We do it all for the good of the people of the state of Arkansas.
• You had mentioned some of that oversight reviewing statements monthly now.
• But the door prizes, I think that piqued the interest of a few members.
• our structure all the way to the bottom of our financial structure, that this cannot be used again like
• So we had always included that for financial statement reporting purposes as an operating fund because

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Transcript Highlights:

• For authors of bills up today, each member presenting today will provide an opening statement and a closing
• And then it adopts policies concerning incidents of human trafficking, a statement that trafficking is
• And then it adopts policies concerning incidents of human trafficking, a statement that trafficking is
• , the financial aid statuses of re-enrolling students, and the time to degree and completion rates for
• Our concern is that this bill, all of these bills, does not fully account for the operational, financial

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on student access, equity, and campus support services. AB 2660 would codify the CalBridge and ENLACE STEM pipeline programs to help underrepresented students move from high school through Ph.D. and faculty or industry careers; AB 2121 would let community colleges temporarily exclude certain local backfill dollars from the 50% instructional spending law so they can replace lost federal funding for MSI and TRIO programs; and AB 1920 would clarify that students do not lose California College Promise eligibility if they earn a certificate as part of a stackable pathway to an associate degree. AB 1636 would authorize Cerritos College to use voluntary data-sharing agreements with K-12 districts to create ready-to-enroll student records, AB 1845 would add human trafficking training and reporting requirements to campus Title IX-related processes, AB 1784 would extend pregnancy and parenting protections to undergraduate students, AB 2229 would create a CSU reentry support program for stopped-out students, AB 1852 would create a conditional pathway for a Kern County medical school if UC does not act, AB 1928 would allow both an advisor and a support person in campus sexual misconduct proceedings, and AB 2392 would require training before AI tools are deployed to students, faculty, or staff. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, with authors and witnesses emphasizing student success, equity, and removing administrative barriers. Supporters included community college and university officials, student leaders, advocacy groups, and survivors. AB 2121 drew the most mixed testimony: community college leaders and students supported it as a temporary response to federal cuts, while faculty groups opposed it or raised concerns about weakening the 50% law and the need for the proposal. AB 1852 also drew opposition from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, which argued the proposal could have broader operational and governance implications, though supporters said Kern County’s doctor shortage justified a local solution. AB 1784, AB 1845, and AB 1928 were framed as protections for vulnerable students in pregnancy, trafficking, and sexual misconduct proceedings, respectively, while AB 2392 was presented as a modest training and transparency requirement to accompany AI adoption. The committee took action on the bills after testimony. Most measures were approved on bipartisan roll calls and re-referred to the appropriate committees, including AB 1636, AB 1784, AB 1845, AB 1920, AB 1928, AB 2229, AB 2392, and AB 2660. AB 2121 and AB 1852 also advanced, though AB 1852 had several members not voting and AB 2121 drew one no vote. The committee also approved a consent calendar that included AB 1591, AB 2203, and AB 2572, and members were invited to add on to bills after the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of interest application review conflict of interest application review risk<00:03:18.640><c> assessment
• /c><00:13:42.800><c> business</c> financial review of Grant and business financial review of Grant and
• the</c><00:58:05.480><c> state</c> example of best interest of the state example of best interest of
• in the best interest of the state.
• in the best interest of the state.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota as it relates to their of Minnesota as it relates to their interest<00:01:19.400><c> in</c
• of foraging.
• tradition of foraging isn't an acceptable use of state lands.
• I grew up on the Iron Range of Minnesota. Nature has been a huge part of my life.
• a statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the financial impact that many of you have been hearing about today is on a different bill.
• So let's be clear that the fiscal impact statement, some of you have read, is about a different bill,
• a conflict of interest for somebody who is in immigration law?
• So then would that not be a conflict of interest for someone who is in immigration...
• Previous line of questioning brought up something that was kind of an interesting point.

Bills: SB1627 , SB227 , SB366 , SB1193 , SB1433 , SB1450 , SB1481 , SB1749 , SB1810 , SB1812 , SB1921 , SB1948 , SB2044 , SB2178 , SB169 , SB1877 , HB1409 , SB1266 , SB1432

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized several guests, doctors, nurses, pages, student shadows, and visitors in the gallery. Members also adopted a motion to request the House’s consent for the Senate to adjourn for more than three days, with Senator Hicks opposing the motion because of the number of bills still available for consideration. The motion passed. The chamber then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1627, a cleanup measure to eliminate duplicate criminal code sections and clarify the law for legal research, passed 45-0 and was advanced as an emergency. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation on oil and gas means of production, drew extensive questioning and debate over possible revenue impacts, county assessors, schools, and economically at-risk wells; it passed 37-9. Senate Bill 366, which gives charter schools a first right of refusal to buy or lease public school buildings sold or leased by districts, also generated debate over local control and lack of resale guardrails, and passed 40-6 as an emergency. Later, Senate Bill 1193 to remove general fund carryover caps for school districts passed 46-0 as an emergency after supporters argued it would reduce “use it or lose it” spending and allow more local flexibility, while opponents questioned fiscal effects and accountability. Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act requiring agencies to publicly disclose guidance documents in a searchable database, passed 37-7 after concerns about attorney-client privilege, administrative burden, and whether guidance could function like law. Senate Bill 1450, expanding relief from fines, fees, and court costs for certain people in the criminal justice system, was advanced and passed unanimously; Senate Bill 1481, increasing minimum recess time for K-5 students from 20 to 40 minutes, was advanced as an emergency measure; Senate Bill 1810, allowing expert testimony in human trafficking cases, passed 45-0; Senate Bill 1812, requiring school districts to make benchmark testing information available to parents, passed 46-0 as an emergency; Senate Bill 1921, increasing OSBI background-check fees, passed 39-7; and Senate Bill 1948, updating fireworks laws and limiting county restrictions on private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, was taken up with significant safety and local-control questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'm a very big fan of the five biggest technology interests and basic democracies forming a
• Own audit of those particular deals, but we remain very interested as well.
• So if you look at the financial statements, I'm a nerd; I look at financial statements of everybody.
• I mean, are some of the board of directors on the board of directors of the ports that we have in question
• But because of its financial difficulties, it was getting pressure from international organizations such

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The history of this committee has been one of interest in school choice as far back as 2019.
• , and we're seeing a lot of interest in homeschool families.
• I'm not aware of that. Do you think these organizations should have conflict of interest policies?
• Or a conflict-of-interest policy? Right.
• We advocate for the interests of up to 650,000 homeschool students in Texas and have over 100,000 of

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, some of those may not have been reported to our financial crimes and fraud section.
• The expertise of those agents doing financial crimes is vitally important to us.
• They did not come from any of our financial crimes investigators at all.
• , it would eliminate a lot of the conflicts of interest that an agency IG has right now.
• </c> lot of the uh um conflicts of interest lot of the uh um conflicts of interest that<00:51:41.520>

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• there is certainly a distinction in terms of the amount of financial benefit received.
• Certainly a distinction in terms of the amount of financial benefit received.
• PRC is a credit that follows at the end of the statement. Continue. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• So I thought that was interesting. But that is the end of that portion.
• That's on the property tax statement. If anybody's interested in staying for that as well.

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have two people: Sherry Sawyer and Bird McSherry, from the Office of Financial Management and the
• I'm with the Office of Financial Management here today to testify in support of our OFM request bill,
• To the point, Senator May, there's quite a bit of interest in this topic, and agencies will likely have
• Sherry Sawyer with the Office of Financial Management.
• Sherry Sawyer with the Office of Financial Management.

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 631 and 5046. It then held public hearings on several measures. Senate Bill 6215 would require the state auditor to compile an inventory of audited state programs and an annual statewide high-risk list focused on fraud prevention; the sponsor said it would improve transparency, while the State Auditor’s office raised concerns about cost, scope, record retention limits, and the bill’s timeline. Senate Bill 6160 would eliminate or modify dozens of agency reporting requirements across state government; OFM and the sponsor described it as a government-efficiency measure, while some senators noted they wanted to preserve certain reports. Senate Bill 6313 would create a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account to support repairs, remodeling, interpretive facilities, and public engagement at the Capitol ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2028. Senate Bill 6049 would exempt certain employee engagement survey responses and Healthy Youth Survey records from public disclosure; OFM, students, and other supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage honest participation, while the record showed substantial opposition sign-ins. Senate Bill 6164 would exempt information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for digital experience platform services from disclosure; WOTEC and some media representatives supported it as a narrow privacy measure, while one coalition opposed it as overly broad. Senate Bill 5046 would designate November 22 as Kimchi Day, which the sponsor framed as a cultural recognition bill, with little opposition noted in testimony. In executive session, the committee considered Senate Bills 6035, 5853, and 5888. It adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6035, which concerns an electronic ballot portal and tribal voting access, and sent it to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute for SB 5853, which shifts administration of a statewide emergency notification system for elected officials from the Secretary of State to the Military Department, and sent it to Ways and Means. Finally, it passed SB 5888, which removes Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women’s Commission, and sent it to Rules. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is, you know, we conduct an audit of the state’s financial statements, and that is really an opinion
• on the statement, so there’s not much of a report there; that’s more a letter.”
• An audit is to verify the accuracy of financial statements.
• </c><00:20:30.919><c> financial</c> accuracy of financial accuracy of financial statements<00:20:33.640
• Well, that statement may cover here, but 96% of places where 96% of the people that live in the United

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• about all of the other financial realities that schools are facing.
• about all of the other financial realities that schools are facing.
• But one of the things that we noticed is that we were, um, it was interesting because as we went through
• She said the National Association of School Nursing physician statement indicates that school attendance
• </c> playgrounds right now as the focus of playgrounds right now as the focus of financials,<01:31:58.639

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ask that you get back to me and my office and any of the other members who are interested with a more
• That makes your job difficult because you have a bunch of different companies, a bunch of different interest
• Patterson, I'm due to a potential conflict of interest, so I'm going to be recusing myself for this.
• Patterson, I'm due to a potential conflict of interest, so I'm going to be recusing myself for this.
• And then in the interest of transparency, do we have, you know, because some of these contracts, you

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills. AB 1405 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan would create a state registry of AI auditors and set baseline transparency and ethics requirements for auditors, with the author accepting committee amendments. Supporters said the bill would help establish independent oversight and consumer trust in AI, while some members questioned whether government should be creating the registry rather than industry groups and raised concerns about unclear standards. The bill passed the committee on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2 by Assembly Member Lowenthal would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters, including grieving parents and Common Sense Media, argued that platforms know their products can contribute to addiction, self-harm, drug sales, and other harms but have not done enough to protect young users. Opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned the bill was vague, could chill speech, invite broad litigation, and raise First Amendment and Section 230 concerns. Several members expressed support for the goal but asked for changes, especially around the private right of action and clearer standards; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary. AB 410 by Assembly Member Wilson would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and not misrepresent themselves as human. Supporters said the bill would reduce deception in online interactions and help vulnerable users, while some members worried it was too broad and could affect ordinary automated responses or out-of-state users. After amendments and discussions, opposition softened or withdrew, and the bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations. AB 1327 by Assembly Member Aguirre-Currie would let consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail, with a phone-number assistance requirement added in committee; the Contractors State License Board withdrew opposition, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 566 by Assembly Member Lowenthal, which would require browsers and mobile operating systems to support one-step opt-out privacy signals across online businesses, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you're tracking billions of customers with billions of different interest rates.
• Now, of course, that is different than interest rates.
• of Financial Practices.
• Commissions, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Financial Practices.
• competing interests of the involved parties as a contract matter across the The balance of competing

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• The financial consequences of these have lasting effects on households and communities statewide.
• The financial consequences of these have lasting effects on households and communities statewide.
• In closing, AB 1726 helps encourage personal financial resilience, increases likelihood of completion
• I know this is an issue that's of interest to many people.
• , this bill requires a written agreement between the third party and the party of interest, prohibits

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:13.360><c> financial</c><00:07:13.720><c> statements</c> 990s the audit of financial statements
• 990s the audit of financial statements the<00:07:14.319><c> IRS</c><00:07:15.319><c> 51</c><00:07:15.759
• </c> worth of 990s the audited financials worth of 990s the audited financials making<00:10:23.680><c
• Next, the issue of conflict of interest.
• Next, the issue of conflict of interest.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy