Video & Transcript Research : 'maximum annual yield'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 44 Afternoon Session Apr 21st, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Yield for questions.
- Yield for questions.
- The member does yield.
- I yield for questions and move for adoption. The member does yield.
- Yield questions, move adoption. The member does yield.
Bills:
HB4028, HB4075, HB4077, HB4074, HB4076, SB1221, SB1921, SB2118, SB1932, SB2134, HCR1025, SB1432, HCR1024, HCR1022, SB1122, HB4029, HB4063, HB4073, HB4078, SB1936, SB44, SB237, SB248, SB1360, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB2143, SB1428, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB1427
Keywords:
tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'll yield for any questions. bill. I'll yield for any questions.
- I will yield for questions. Mr. does. I will yield for questions. Mr.
- >> I yield. >> Senator, you're recognized. >> Senator Sparks. fine and the maximum fines for illegal
- >> I<06:35:58.878>
yield. >> I yield. >> I yield. - >> I<06:54:11.440>
yield. >> I yield. >> I yield.
Summary:
The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, received an invocation from Dr. Lenon Duncan, and led the pledge of allegiance. Routine business followed, including unanimous consent to dispense with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including a governmental affairs representative, a doctor of the day and medical student, a county leadership group, agricultural youth council participants, a former senator’s spouse, and MSMS students.
The chamber then took up several appropriations and finance measures. Senate Bill 2189, the transfer bill for state funds and agency budget setup, passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2190 increased the Working Cash Stabilization Reserve Fund minimum balance from 10% to 15% of general fund revenue; supporters said it would strengthen the state’s fiscal position, and it passed by morning roll call after no questions. Senate Bill 2480, a capacity project bill providing $265 million from CAPEX to MDOT for highway projects in Madison and Rankin counties and initial work on Highway 90, was amended to make it effective upon passage and then passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2832 extended the railroad tax credit repealer to 2029, and Senate Bill 2847 required state and local tax calculations to round to the nearest nickel in response to the federal penny phaseout; both passed by morning roll call.
The Senate also approved Senate Bill 2191, which expands the purposes for which municipal use tax funds may be spent to include sidewalk repair and building acquisition/rehabilitation, after questions about municipal and subdivision sidewalks. Senate Bill 2885 created the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a voluntary retirement savings option for small employers and employees, with the sponsor emphasizing that participation is optional and that the program is intended to help workers without access to retirement plans; it passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2834, the omnibus tag bill, and Senate Bill 2838, the omnibus qualified resort area bill, were each amended with committee substitutes and passed by morning roll call.
Later, the Senate suspended the rules and took up a large block of resolutions and commemorative measures, including sympathy and congratulatory resolutions, arts awards, sports championships, and other recognitions, along with House concurrent resolutions and two House bills designating observances. The transcript ends while the clerk is reading the long list of titles in the block.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I would urge adoption and yield for questions.
- Yield for questions. And move to pass.
- Chairman, I yield for questions. Do pass by Senator Woods, seconded by the chair.
- Now, approximately 275 inmates annually are convicted of this.
- Now, we're not raising the annual cap, so the annual cap still remains the same.
Bills:
HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB3834, HB3940, HB3944, HB3979, HB4003, HB4118, HB4326, HB4346, HB4421
Keywords:
behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes, Oklahoma statutes, HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-08 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- state's annual transportation budget. state's annual transportation budget.
- con to consider TIS is that the annual con to consider TIS is that the annual amount<01:02:51.280
- the treasurer's office, the annual the treasurer's office, the annual payment<01:03:32.720>
on - that reflects the annual miles traveled. that reflects the annual miles traveled.
- So it sets this maximum fee driven.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/27/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Questioner: Okay, will the sponsor yield? Sponsor: I'll yield. The sponsor yields.
- Sponsor: I'll yield. The sponsor yields.
- Will the sponsor yield? The sponsor yields.
- Do you yield? I yield. Senator yields.
- >> DO YOU YIELD? >> I YIELD. >> SENATOR YIELDS.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions.
The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading.
The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you want to yield the floor at this time? Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'll yield. Mr.
- Will the gentlelady yield? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I will yield. Thank you, Mr.
- Speaker, will the gentlelady please be so kind as to yield? Yes. Yes, I yield.
- Does the gentlelady yield? Mr. Speaker, I gladly yield. Gentlemen, thank you.
- Does the gentlelady from Valencia yield? I yield.
IN
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 22nd, 2026 at 11:06 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, will the gentlelady yield? ...Miguel and Taos, Representative Sanchez. Mr.
- Speaker, will the gentlelady yield? I do yield, Mr.
- Would the gentlelady please yield? I do yield to the gentleman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Will the gentlelady yield? I absolutely yield to the gentlelady.
- Will the gentlelady yield to the fellow gentlelady? Thank you.
Bills:
HB1
Keywords:
feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I move to pass and yield for questions. Do pass and yield for questions. Do pass.
- And with that, I move to pass and yield for questions.
- Chairman, I ask for a due passing yield for questions.
- So I move you pass with that and yield for questions.
- And with that, I do pass and yield for questions.
Bills:
SB683, SB1579, SB1389, SB1387, SB1390, SB1391, SB2063, SB1829, SB2060, SB1842, SB1398, SB1212, SB2158, SB102
Keywords:
education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Revised Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I urge adoption and yield for questions.
- I yield for questions and move do pass.
- Chairman, I yield for questions and move do pass.
- Approximately 275 inmates annually are convicted of this.
- Now, we're not raising the annual cap.
Summary:
The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1.
Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0.
The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0.
Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I yield. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield.
- I<03:16:38.480>
yield <03:16:38.680>back. I yield back. I yield back. - With that, I yield<04:47:30.600>
back. yield back. yield back. - yields.
- I yield<06:03:11.280>
back. yield back. yield back.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Then it goes down from medium to maximum, with maximum being the group engaging in the most institutional
- If they’re classified as maximum, then they’re in a maximum-security institution.
- So I would say '94 numbers are going to not yield what these folks have probably yielded because we weren't
- But here we’re seeing that maximum, that override-informed custody level at the maximum level is still
- We restricted them for a year at maximum security. We no longer do that.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias.
DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months.
UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states.
Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, annual hunting licenses expire on December 31st each year.
- , annual hunting licenses Currently, annual hunting licenses expire<00:04:03.599>
on <00:04:03.840 - Subsection 166 6618 B11 caps the maximum amount of the implementation grants to the PRO by fiscal year
- Subsection 166 6618 B11 caps the maximum amount of the implementation grants to the PRO by fiscal year
- Subsection 166 6618 B11 caps the maximum amount of the implementation grants to the PRO by fiscal year
Summary:
The House took up several Senate proposals of amendment and, by voice vote, concurred in each. On House Bill 928, technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes, the House suspended the rules, heard a section-by-section explanation of changes to hunting violation points, license expiration dates, license fees, and Champion Lands reporting, and then concurred after both the committee and Ways and Means reported favorable straw polls of 11-0. On House Bill 915, the extended producer responsibility program for beverage containers, the House also suspended the rules and heard a detailed summary of Senate changes affecting handling fees, redemption requirements, PRO administration, collection-site standards, reporting, and effective dates; Environment reported a favorable straw poll and Ways and Means noted a modest fiscal impact from higher liquor bottle handling fees, after which the House concurred.
The House then took up Senate Bill 328 on housing and common interest communities. The General and Housing Committee explained the Senate’s further amendments, including changes to the treasurer’s housing credit facility, consultation requirements, VHIP funding provisions, municipal housing planning, duplex and accessory dwelling unit rules, temporary multi-unit provisions, downtown and village center benefits, and common-interest-community reporting on vegetable gardens. Appropriations and Environment both reported no additional fiscal concerns and favorable straw polls, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment.
Finally, the House considered House Bill 542 on PCB testing in Vermont schools. The Senate strike-all amendment would extend the testing deadline to 2035, create a future special fund for testing and remediation, require PCB testing before major renovation projects using state construction dollars, and direct ANR to report on remaining costs and funding options. After questions about how the amendment would affect schools that had already tested or completed remediation, Education explained that existing remediation reimbursements would continue and that the amendment mainly delays the mandate and sets up a future funding mechanism. The House concurred, then recessed until 5:20 p.m. to prepare for additional Senate bills.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 11:34 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Does Senator yield? Senator yields. Yes, I'll yield. Thank you. Currently, right now...
- Does Senator yield? Senator yields. Yes, I'll yield. Thank you.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4546, providing for biennial reporting instead of annual
- The maximum fine has not been raised for over 100 years. I urge passage.
- Engrossed House Bill 5022, relating to expanding the programs to be included in the annual capitation
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you yield? I yield. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
- Do you yield, Senator Parker? I yield. I recognize Senator Blanco.
- Well, will the gentleman yield for a few questions? Will you yield, Senator Parker? I yield.
- Do you yield, Senator Parker? I yield. You're recognized, Senator Eckhardt.
- Does the author yield? I yield. Senator Parker, I understand.
Keywords:
legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight
Summary:
The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (2-11-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- of three projects uh with a maximum of three projects uh with a maximum amount<00:09:41.440>
- the Commonwealth and that we're annually the Commonwealth and that we're annually u<00:21:16.000
- Senator Boswell will yield to you first.
- It would be a maximum of $75 million that we would set aside.
- yield to you to to wrap it up. yield to you to to wrap it up.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 03:09
SB 57 Discussion 04:03
SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37
SB 172 Discussion 41:27
SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a prayer, the pledge, recognition of an Energy and Environment Cabinet leadership academy group, a roll call establishing quorum, and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. The main item was Senator Danny Carroll’s presentation of legislation to create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program in Kentucky. He said the bill is intended to help build a nuclear ecosystem in the Commonwealth by supporting early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses, with the state contributing up to $25 million per project and a total of $75 million for up to three projects. He emphasized safeguards such as refundable funding if conditions are not met, legislative rather than authority-only selection of projects, and oversight by the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (NIDTA). He also described related provisions on cost recovery through the Public Service Commission, tax incentive eligibility for nuclear ecosystem projects, training and consultant support for the authority, and eligibility for fusion projects.
Carroll and Rodney Andrews said the proposal is meant to attract utilities, developers, and large industrial users such as data centers, and to spread projects geographically, with particular attention to Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas. They said selection criteria would include site suitability, prior site use, regional economic need and impact, geographic diversity, additional investment, federal funding status, and whether a community has applied to be designated nuclear-ready. They stressed that communities would not be forced to host reactors and could choose which parts of the nuclear ecosystem to participate in. Carroll also said the bill could help Kentucky compete with states like Texas and Tennessee, and Andrews said industry contacts viewed the proposal as a signal that Kentucky is open to investment.
Members generally expressed support for the bill and its goals, while asking about taxpayer exposure, site size, permitting, grid needs, national security, and reactor technology. Carroll said the state’s direct commitment would be capped at $75 million, with any additional cost recovery depending on PSC approval and project specifics. He said small modular reactor sites would be much smaller than traditional plants, and described a model in which a utility partners with a developer and a data center, with power contracts helping offset costs over decades. On security and technology, Carroll and Andrews said newer reactors would still be subject to the same standards as larger units, and Andrews explained that next-generation designs may use different fuels and materials such as TRISO and high-assay low-enriched uranium. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair noted time limits and that additional members still had questions, including one witness expected to speak against the measure.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.(7-2-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- No more than could get a maximum of $70.
- For crisis, there's a maximum. Like for electricity, it's $400.
- could draw down up to those maximum could draw down up to those maximum dollar<00:17:21.000>
- operator recertification, and annual operator recertification, and annual performance<01:07:02.920
- <01:09:56.760>
right questions, so I'm going to yield right questions, so I'm going to yield
Bills:
SB8
Keywords:
utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51
Approval of Minutes 00:02:07
Legislator Comments 00:02:18
LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19
PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18
WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, of Oregon, to be Secretary of Labor. - Part 2 of 2 Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I yield to Senator Sanders. Thank you, Ms. Chavez-Durrima, for being with us.
- With that, I will yield to Chairman Sanders.
- I yield back. Senator Murphy. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
- I yield. Thank you, Senator. Senator Collins. Thank you. Mr. Bezdemir. A major.
- That is what in... an annual term, do you know off the top of your head? Oh.
Keywords:
PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization
Summary:
The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Jan 9th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Transcript Highlights:
- To renew the scholarship annually, students were required to maintain full-time enrollment, maintain
- Therefore, eligible students could receive a maximum amount of $10,000.
- And then also, when you look at students awarded over the maximum amount, Pulaski Tech had none.
- And I'll yield.
- And I'll yield. that we can't change. Okay, so last question, and I'll yield.
Summary:
The committee first adopted prior minutes and then heard several standing committee audit reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports scheduled for the month, one outstanding committee-requested report, and a request to gather information on a possible special report for February. The city/county/local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of turn-back funds for 17 entities, 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities filing reports, and action on the town of Daisy requiring repayment of misused street funds. The education report filed three higher education audit reports and deferred one Northwest Arkansas Community College report. The state agencies report filed four reports and deferred audits of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for more information on corrective actions.
The committee then received a special audit review of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Auditors said the program received $10 million in desegregation funding and a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, and saw 116 students graduate. The review found many scholarship eligibility exceptions, including awards above the maximum and to students who did not meet GPA, enrollment-hour, or full-time requirements, and numerous disbursement documentation and authorization problems. Committee members sharply questioned the program’s oversight, the role of former staff, the use of funds for travel and cultural activities, and whether any improper spending should be referred for criminal review. UALR representatives said the program was overseen as a sponsored program, that some controls were later strengthened, and that Philander Smith only verified enrollment rather than eligibility. The committee voted to table the report until the next meeting and asked staff to gather the federal court order and additional information.
Finally, the committee reviewed the annual report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 criminal charges filed, 39 still under review, 3 dismissed, 5 pending in court, and 96 not charged; convictions in 20 cases led to fines, restitution, audit costs, and some bond trust fund payments. Prosecutor representatives explained that many referrals do not become criminal cases because of intent, timing, or other legal limits, and said they generally seek restitution even when charges are not filed. Members asked for more standardized reporting, including whether restitution was recovered and why cases were not prosecuted, and discussed possible training and a checklist for future reports. The committee then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12-13.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In an adjudication, safe yield is the term that's used, and courts have defined it as the maximum amount
- Sustainable yield is the maximum amount of water you can take out without causing an undesirable result
- , not necessarily your sustainable yield.
- yield to be no more than the...
- It limits the adjudicated safe yield to be no more than the DWR-approved sustainable yield, unless challenged
Summary:
The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention.
AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations.
AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.