Transcript Highlights:

• It's interesting.
• It's interesting.
• But we as legislators have to make decisions that are in the public interest and not wait until an outbreak
• But we as legislators have to make decisions that are in the public interests and not wait until an outbreak
• My son is in public school.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're waiting for public testimony.
• The question that the members of the public will be able to address whenever we get to public testimony
• Interesting.
• Of interest, community of interest.
• Texas 9 is a community of interest. Texas 9 is a community of interest.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the heading is athletics, public high school. So how does that work?
• ... ...and ensure they do not have a direct or indirect interest in any entity that has a business interest
• clearly defining who the controlling interests are.
• of the entity in which is a controlling interest or 5% investor.
• Can you help me understand why that’s good public policy? Thank you.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably. The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• our interest earnings.
• our interest earnings.
• The government's interest rate changes, and that affects our interest earnings.
• Okay, but we're cutting off the public then, so keep going and we'll cut off the public.
• And as a result of not taking public comment here, we will prioritize public comment at that hearing.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> classification as well as non-public classification as well as non-public data<00:08:34.680><c>
• </c> to get control over misuse of public to get control over misuse of public funds<00:11:53.360><c>
• </c><00:19:22.880><c> or</c> the file may never be made public or the file may never be made public or
• </c> align policy with more Current public align policy with more Current public safety<00:31:21.960>
• public such otherwise non-public become public such otherwise non-public data<00:58:49.119><c> includes

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, other states have gone further in terms of public land and public development processes.
• interest.
• Won’t result in litigation or broader public interest, how are decisions about retaining or releasing
• It’s an avenue for public engagement, and it creates an ongoing opportunity for coordination and public
• and legislator interests.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard from WSDOT on capital program estimating, risk management, and cash flow. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, how estimates are built from base cost, risk, inflation, and unknowns, and how risk reviews scale up by project size. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects have much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; WSDOT cited a P85 budget approach for legislative funding and a lower P45 management target. Members asked about the large cost growth on the I-5 Columbia River Bridge project and about value engineering; WSDOT said the project is unusually complex and that cost containment is limited by project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed the idea of a risk pool, saying it would not reduce overall program risk and would still require appropriation, while emphasizing the need for more realistic early budgeting and cash flow assumptions. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT already uses a robust estimating process, but recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking award growth and cost growth over time, and monitoring market conditions and letting schedules to improve competition. The report also discussed surety bonding, recommending that the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or allowing phased or alternative securities, and reviewed indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, including job order contracts and multiple-award task order contracts. The consultant said these tools could help with smaller work packages and competition, but current Washington law is restrictive and would need changes for broader use. Next, the committee heard a follow-up report on transit-oriented development policy from the Urban Institute. The consultant said Washington’s HB 1491 is nationally notable, but warned that housing construction has slowed sharply, especially in the Puget Sound, due to high construction costs, financing costs, and other market pressures. The report recommended filling the infrastructure-funding gap created by reduced impact fees, revisiting MFTE affordability requirements so they better match local market conditions, considering minimum rather than averaged density requirements near transit, expanding public land and public development options, and creating a state system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent stabilization, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the consultant said only five private developers were interviewed and offered to provide the question framework and additional follow-up materials. Finally, the committee began a study on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants explained how shore power lets ships plug into the electrical grid and shut off auxiliary diesel engines, reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, reactive organic compounds, and greenhouse gases near ports. The presentation reviewed California’s at-berth regulation, which Washington could only mirror if it acts under federal preemption limits, and outlined the study’s phases on vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, and competitiveness impacts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you say, it's complex, so it's going to be interesting.
• the public entity that may be interested in partnering with the private developer to effectuate a project
• public policy goals?
• So with that, we'll go ahead and open it up for public comment.
• We're very interested in the development of this program.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they're earning some interest. they're earning some interest.
• comments, public into public uh comments, public testimony.<01:15:02.640><c> Um</c><01:15:03.280><c>
• </c> in Wyoming public schools. in Wyoming public schools.
• </c><01:42:47.520><c> Uh</c> about interest. Uh about interest.
• </c> interesting to me. interesting to me.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• We support this information being made public if the secretary so deems it to be made public in the interest
• 03:30:08.640><c> public</c><03:30:09.680><c> in</c><03:30:09.920><c> the</c><03:30:10.160><c> interest
• </c><03:30:10.399><c> of</c><03:30:10.560><c> our</c> be made public in the interest of our be made public
• </c> It's interest. It's social security. It's interest. It's social security.
• <06:32:00.718><c> Interest</c> debt? Interest debt?

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the interest rate buy-down... ...would have an impact on the interest rate charged.
• And then the interest rate buy-down would be a direct reimbursement, a direct reduction of the interest
• Anyone interested in that?
• That's in our interest.
• Thoughtful public comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something I'm very passionate and interested in.
• A public infrastructure purpose includes the financing of defined public infrastructure, as that definition
• It's got to be public infrastructure, number one.
• Public comment during this period. Mr.
• Going to market that's not handled in the public, in a public board meeting.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the March 16, 2026 minutes and then heard testimony on several bills, with the chair noting that votes would be taken in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would increase the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion; Lucid Motors supported it as a rural economic development tool, while Senator Epstein questioned the fiscal note and whether the higher credit would actually attract new investment. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas funded by voluntary lodging assessments to support marketing and tourism promotion; the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix backed it as a competitive tool for rural and urban destinations, and committee members focused on whether participation was truly voluntary and how the assessments would be administered. HB 2780 made technical conforming changes to Arizona’s property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sale process, building on a prior law that created a mechanism for delinquent property owners to recover equity; the sponsor and a longtime constituent said the changes would fix timing and credit-bid language so qualified entity sales could work in practice. HB 2502 would let certain elected officials in ASRS retire at normal retirement age without resigning their office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate; ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor argued the bill would treat elected officials more like other ASRS members. The committee then adopted do-pass recommendations for HB 2502, HB 2780, HB 2950, and HB 2939, with each passing on split votes. The committee also adopted a striker to HB 2140, allowing the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and the Sound Money Defense League argued it would diversify reserves and hedge against market disruption, while opponents said gold is volatile, costly to store, and not something taxpayers need the state to buy. HB 2140 then passed as amended on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2398, as amended, which requires commercial liability insurance for watercraft rentals and peer-to-peer boat sharing programs, with supporters saying it addresses uninsured rental boats and law enforcement concerns; the bill passed as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee also heard HB 2999, a major housing-finance bill creating state affordability infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure through bonds and assessments; proponents said it would lower housing costs by spreading infrastructure costs over time, while contractors and some senators raised concerns about payment risk, impact-fee treatment, and whether savings would reach homebuyers. After adopting a striker and hearing extensive questions, HB 2999 passed as amended on a 6-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this noble work is powered not just by philanthropy, but by the public sector as well.
• Public attention shifts. Public attention shifts.
• Public attention shifts.
• Credit or loans to support their cash flow, meaning they're paying interest on these delays.
• The public sector is stability.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want them to engage if they're interested in doing that.
• They're always interesting, to say the least.
• We will now move on to public comment.
• As a reminder, members of the public can provide public comment in person or telephonically and may submit
• public comment up to 24 hours after the meeting.

Bills: SB156

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:14:21.440><c> but</c><00:14:21.760><c> public</c> We deal in public policy, but public We deal
• </c> weren't interested in hearing them out. weren't interested in hearing them out.
• Uh, we've been talking primarily public to public in Kentucky.
• Uh, we've been talking primarily public to public in Kentucky.
• . public. public.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a topic of interest to members on both sides of the aisle.
• We need to ensure our core strategic interests are assured.
• And it's not in Denmark's interest just as it's not in our interest to have a vacuum that is filled by
• You have to use the word sold, sold to the public.
• This hearing is about strategic interests in the Arctic.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes

Summary: The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a combination of public-private funding is being considered. I think Mr.
• I'm the Chief of Staff of the Public Regulation Commission.
• We're interested in making sure that we have adequate representation from the consumers, from the public
• Chair and members of the committee, that's an interesting question.
• So the cash compensation is interesting, the bigger...

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of our public investment in our public infrastructure, because of our well-educated workforce
• Because of our public reasons.
• </c> at an interest rate of 5%. at an interest rate of 5%.
• So, first, fewer..." of the Minnesota home mortgage interest of the Minnesota home mortgage interest
• </c> interest deduction on home ownership. interest deduction on home ownership.

Transcript Highlights:

• Luan Tesfai, joining us from the California Public Utilities. Please.
• One of them is obviously more public than the others.
• Luam Testify, Public Utilities Commission.
• So the Public Utilities Commission...
• at the California Public Utilities Commission.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Utilities and Energy and Privacy and Consumer Protection focused on the energy impacts of AI and the rapid growth of data centers in California. Chairs and members emphasized that the state wants to support innovation and data center development, but only under terms that protect ratepayers, preserve reliability, and avoid stranded grid costs. Testimony from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the California Energy Commission, the CPUC, CAISO, PG&E, Silicon Valley Power, and the Data Center Coalition described the scale of projected load growth, the uncertainty in forecasting, and the need for coordinated planning across agencies. Dr. Nate Gleason of Lawrence Livermore said data centers are a major and fast-growing share of electricity demand, with planning challenges driven by short construction timelines for data centers versus long lead times for transmission and generation. He urged stochastic planning, co-optimization of generation, storage, and transmission, and greater use of flexible load and demand response. CEC Director Alicia Gutierrez described the CEC’s bottom-up forecasting approach, based on utility energization requests and load profiles, and said California has over 23,000 megawatts of data center capacity requests in the CAISO footprint. CPUC Deputy Executive Director Luan Tesfai outlined recent actions on energization timelines, flexible service connections, PG&E’s Rule 30 tariff, and the commission’s resource planning and transmission permitting work. CAISO’s Neil Miller stressed that large loads affect transmission planning, interconnection, and reliability standards, and said the agency is preparing additional stakeholder work on technical issues. Utility and industry witnesses said California is already seeing substantial data center interest and is building out infrastructure accordingly. PG&E’s Mike Medeiros said the utility has more than 10 gigawatts of data center interest in its territory, has shifted to cluster studies, and is using flexible interconnection tools such as FlexConnect to speed service while protecting reliability. Silicon Valley Power’s Nico Prokos said data centers account for about 55% of its power use and that the city is investing heavily in transmission and local system upgrades to support projected load growth. He also warned that AI loads may be more variable than traditional cloud loads and that backup generation and air quality constraints complicate curtailment strategies. The Data Center Coalition’s Karabonder argued that data centers are also driving efficiency gains and support critical digital services, while urging better forecasting methods, more transparency, and regular backcasting. Members asked about statutory authority, data availability, flexible load, and whether current forecasts are sufficient for long-lead infrastructure planning. Witnesses said California already has authority to pursue flexible service and rate design, and that the CEC and CPUC have access to utility data, though out-year demand remains highly uncertain. CPUC representatives noted an advanced rate design rulemaking and said the commission is opening additional work on ratepayer impacts. No votes were taken during the informational hearing, and the discussion ended with continued questions about how California should structure planning, pricing, and reliability rules as AI-related load grows.

Transcript Highlights:

• Luam Tesfai, California Public Utilities Commission.
• Lewam test by California Public Utilities Commission.
• Luam Tesfai, Public Utilities Commission.
• So those are our public statements.
• All right, and now we're going to move to public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> twominut time limit on public comments. twominut time limit on public comments.
• c> women's</c> interest of safeguarding women's interest of safeguarding women's informed<00:30:30.720
• </c><00:30:48.559><c> in</c> achieve the state's interest in achieve the state's interest in safeguarding
• </c> and then we're going to close public and then we're going to close public comment<01:07:12.240><
• </c> probably take about 15 minutes of public probably take about 15 minutes of public comment.<01:29

Bills: HB0003 , HB0117 , HB0041

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services