Transcript Highlights:

• And if, if they are not able to present at least providing us with some data and or not maybe data but
• I believe we had a conversation about the data regarding violence and.
• So it, it, it would be great if we can get the data, that data has been Um, really hard to get, we, we
• data that has nothing to do with the actual contract for the selection.
• We, we can't regulate it.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> upon completion with the regulations upon completion with the regulations will<01:12:39.040><c>
• Obviously, it doesn't have regulation.
• Just to give of that regulation.
• </c><01:26:08.560><c> When</c> we do not directly regulate. When we do not directly regulate.
• </c> noticed it and uh we we have some data noticed it and uh we we have some data to<01:35:40.800><c

Committee: Joint Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is consistent with what we also have currently in regulation.
• This amendment removes. and reduces the environmental impact of the regulation.
• Well, I understand you came under that for regulations if you go forth regulations, and I'm glad you
• And that's part of what we need to work through through regulations.
• And that's part of what we need to work through through regulations.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• When we take the input and feedback from our community members, we can make sure we're addressing the
• I actually believe we're the fastest growing but I haven't gotten the data back on that yet, so we shall
• So as a data and research guy, I'm going to hit you with a lot of facts, a lot of stats, so bear with
• Because to your point of the data you shared, it has an impact.
• Pacal for that input.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• With data centers, et cetera, demands for water keeps increasing.
• It starts off with the water data and stream gauges.
• have good data.
• So I hope your permitting and regulations will stay open.
• One group regulates the carbon, and one group regulates the minerals that come out of it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:56.000><c> and</c> think I would welcome your input and think I would welcome your input and
• However, we view this as regulation.
• </c><01:40:26.480><c> AI</c> indicated that states that regulate AI indicated that states that regulate
• </c> again to oppose any and all regulation again to oppose any and all regulation or<01:51:18.880><c
• </c><01:52:23.920><c> AI</c> attempt to regulate AI attempt to regulate AI period<01:52:26.719><c> and

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So the data is certainly very, very important.
• But on the data side, how is that going to... But on the data side, how is that going to...
• When we look at the data, I hope when we look at the data, we compare apples to apples.
• The data I've seen is that the AVs are actually safer.
• And when we talk about data, let's look at apples to apples in terms of data.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on local transportation funding, roadway safety, e-bike regulation, veterans’ parking access, high-speed rail reporting, autonomous vehicle oversight, and wildlife-vehicle collision planning. SB 1408 would authorize Contra Costa County to place a countywide transportation sales tax measure on the ballot; supporters said it would continue funding highways, transit, bike/pedestrian projects, and paratransit, while CalTax opposed it over affordability and tax burden concerns. SB 990 would allow targeted Caltrans business-logo signage for Ridgecrest along Highway 395; supporters framed it as a rural safety and economic access measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1167 would tighten consumer protections by clarifying what qualifies as a legal e-bike and requiring clearer labeling and disclosures; supporters included bicycle advocates, medical groups, local governments, and auto clubs, while no opposition testified. SB 1034 would make it easier for disabled veterans rated permanent and total by the VA to obtain disabled parking placards, with strong support from veterans’ organizations and no opposition. SB 1177 would require the High-Speed Rail Project Update report to continue including additional information on revenue options, timelines, and international comparisons; the City of Burbank opposed, while the sponsor argued the bill preserves a historical record and transparency. SB 1246 would impose new remote-operations, response-time, and manual override requirements on autonomous vehicles; first responders and labor groups supported it, industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative of recently enacted law and DMV rules, and the committee discussed possible amendments and coordination issues. The committee also considered SB 1279, which would extend Long Beach’s speed camera pilot to Pacific Coast Highway; supporters cited fatal crash data and pedestrian safety, while the CHP association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions. The committee then took up SB 1250, a planning bill to integrate wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation into transportation planning, with the author emphasizing targeted crossings and fencing at known hotspots. Several consent items were approved on a 10-0 vote, and SB 1246 was reported out 7-2, while other bills were held on call pending quorum or later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of us have input.
• The people have had no input. And Mr.
• in the data used by the data tool, and it doesn't say may; it says shall.
• And what this makes clear is that we must include indigenous data in that data tool.
• This data from these entities, because they have their own data sovereignty as well, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• We would hope that TDCJ would be able to show the data on what type of contraband is found at women's
• I haven't really been able to find that type of data to really piece out what kind of contraband we're
• At this time, I do not have any statistical data; however, I have... on other facilities that I have
• Instead, The decision is left up to a judge and allows for prosecutor input and objection.
• The only way lawmakers currently see detailed data is often by filing specific requests.

Bills: HB1826 , HB1969 , HB2708 , HB2729 , HB3618 , HB4515 , HB4764 , SB1021 , SB1610

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the loss of the incentive at the federal level reflected in the data?
• Do you see that in the data?
• Fortunately, we have really good data that suggests this does change behavior.
• So we look forward to getting public input on what that sweet spot is.
• Transportation regulations. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• When these events happened, there was no training data.
• Like, I mean, I would like to see some data.
• technology, that we actually have data before us.
• The Data Center Coalition is a national industry voice for the data center industry, and our companies
• represent leading data center owners and operators and companies that lease large amounts of data center

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• So it could be up to another year or so... ...load data.
• I have some of that data as well. I know I'm going over time.
• I have some of that data as well. I know I'm going over time.
• with additional program data.
• According to FEMA data as of April 2, 65,6,6,6,000...

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen a lot of data, and I think when you look at the data, it screams out that we have a supply
• and I think when you look at lot of data and I think when you look at the<00:12:26.680><c> data</c><
• </c><00:16:12.199><c> is</c> about you know are the the the data is about you know are the the the data
• Local governments create comp plans, which provide local input.
• </c><01:41:49.400><c> on</c> properties and they don't have input on properties and they don't have input

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just wondering about the data for nursing school, if that data exists or if it's more anecdotal
• And I'm just wondering about the data for nursing school, if that data exists or if it's more anecdotal
• And I know my colleagues. data, you all are one of the boards that collect a lot of workforce data, and
• The malpractice data, the licensing complaint data on dry needling, is non-existent.
• are not regulated by the veterinary board, because we are regulated by our chiropractic board, the current

Transcript Highlights:

• participation data.
• Data, the method of gaining data and reporting is also in Perkins 5.
• This word data could just be confusing. So we're just removing that for clarity.
• , participation data.
• Data, the method of gaining data and reporting, is also in Perkins 5.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in New York State a comprehensive lobbying regulation.
• The purpose of the regulation is to provide those regulated by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying
• President, this does not stipulate data center growth.
• To support, to promote a data center that creates one single job.
• TO SUPPORT, TO PROMOTE A DATA CENTER THAT CREATES ONE SINGLE JOB.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members are leading data center owners and operators, and companies that lease large amounts of data
• So the data center can go bigger.
• And if you look at the information and the data and all the models, just bringing 50% of those data centers
• The Data Center Coalition is a national trade association for the data center industry.
• Our members are leading data center owners and operators and companies that lease large amounts of data

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• And if this is going to happen, it should have more local input.
• Recent analysis by my colleague, Susan Mueller, dove into some of the data around this and came up with
• What she did was analyze more than two decades' worth of winter electricity demand data in New England
• Those regulations will only come into effect next summer.
• Whether we maintain the current status quo, enact new programs, or impose new regulations, there's a

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A year ago, I came across an article reporting how Carfax and data brokers share data they collect with
• Safeguarding personal data.
• There are databases and data warehouses being developed across this nation. ...basis and data warehouses
• Literally, you cannot even use certain websites without having an account and inputting all your data
• Our data, a week's worth of our data, as you and I, a week's worth, is literally just a couple hundred

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Or more consumers into the legal regulated market.
• The Department of Health must annually submit a report summarizing this data.
• You've had the data.
• Have you been told that I'm not taking input into the bill? We have.
• The agency must provide a justification for not providing the data, and unavailability of data due to

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.