Transcript Highlights:

• We have a $700 million-plus fishing industry in Massachusetts.
• ask, Madam President, if any of the sponsors of this amendment have tried to put shellfish or any fishing
• friends from Cape Cod on the revitalization of shellfishing Cape Cod on the revitalization of shell fishing
• ask, Madam President, if any of the sponsors of this amendment have tried to put shellfish or any fishing
• In 2024 and 2025, all of the juvenile herring fish perished before they could reach their destination

Summary: The Senate considered a broad environmental bond bill with amendments touching climate resilience, coastal infrastructure, housing, plastics, wildlife protection, and public health. Early in the debate, Senator Keenan withdrew an amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program, explaining that the program had been enacted without funding and that he hoped to secure money through the budget process instead. The Senate then adopted his amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packaging. The chamber also debated and rejected a Republican amendment to remove the paper bag fee; supporters argued the 10-cent charge would burden working families, while opponents said it was a necessary environmental measure. The amendment failed on a standing vote, 5-10. Several environmental and coastal amendments were adopted, including measures on ocean acidification and nutrient pollution, a statewide carbon sequestration goal that includes salt marshes and seagrasses, a study of banning polystyrene, restrictions on rodenticides with local control and emergency-use exceptions, and indoor air quality improvements. Senators also approved amendments to create a Massachusetts Climate Bank, establish a trust fund and on-site housing for the Manuel F. Corrella State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard, increase the Douglas State Forest entry fee from $1 to $2, and clarify procedures and oversight for housing priority projects. Some proposals were withdrawn, including a special commission on resilient urban coasts and a conservation commission proposal, while others were rejected, including a local-priority housing confirmation amendment and a warrantless-entry amendment that raised Fourth Amendment concerns. The Senate also adopted a series of coastal resilience and permitting amendments, including streamlined permitting for urban coastal projects, a pilot for nature-based solutions, dredging and sand placement in general permits, and a Salisbury Beach trust fund clarification. A New Bedford state pier redevelopment amendment and a harbor protection amendment were adopted, as were amendments related to public and private water utility reporting and equitable representation. The session concluded with notice that only two amendments remained before a roll call, followed by an adjournment in memory of James A. Jim Sheets, former Quincy mayor and educator.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do it with fish, so this sort of clarity on the movement of deer, transportation of deer?
• You see it all the time up and down the highways where the vehicles moving fish, they're labeled as such
• . ...up and down the highways where the vehicles moving fish, they're labeled as such.
• How many enforcement agents does Ag have compared to Wildlife and Fish?
• To Wildlife and Fish, one of the recommendations is dual authority like it used to be.

Summary: The committee continued discussing recommendations for chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance and response in Louisiana’s wild and captive deer herds. Members and staff reviewed current surveillance results, noting that LDWF had met goals in 32 of 64 parishes and that voluntary hunter-harvest sampling was falling short in other areas. Several ideas were raised to improve sample collection without making it broadly mandatory, including incentives for hunters, taxidermists, and possibly processors; use of DMAP properties and mobile sampling units; and targeted sampling of older bucks and other higher-risk animals. Members also discussed whether to use parish-level or other geographic control areas, and whether to mirror aspects of Arkansas’s approach, including testing to reduce or remove restrictions when prevalence remains low. The committee also heard from LDWF and LDAF about captive herd surveillance and reporting. LDAF described its licensed deer facilities, a 2024 positive in Jeff Davis Parish that led to depopulation and quarantines, and follow-up testing that has remained negative at quarantined farms. Witnesses said the agencies currently share information informally and through USDA/NVSL channels, but there is no specific law or regulation requiring 24-hour notification between agencies. The Wildlife Federation and several members recommended mandatory enrollment in the USDA herd certification program, mandatory reporting of positives, and clearer coordination between LDWF and LDAF. Members also discussed the cost of testing, with LDWF saying USDA grants covered diagnostic testing for the last two deer seasons, while department self-generated funds covered earlier costs. A major portion of the meeting focused on how to respond when a positive wild deer is found. Some members favored immediate restrictions, while others argued for keeping existing season rules in place through the season and using the positive as a trigger for intensified sampling, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary penalties and encouraging hunters to submit samples. There was also discussion of whether baiting should be prohibited, allowed during hunting season, or phased based on testing results, with Arkansas’s statewide baiting allowance and county-based disease management zones used as a comparison. The chair emphasized that no final recommendation would be adopted at this meeting; instead, staff was directed to compile the discussion and written recommendations for consideration at the April meeting, when the committee expects to vote and the commission may need to act quickly through its notice-of-intent or emergency rule process before the next hunting season.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Hangman Creek floodplain restoration project would provide habitat for fish and wildlife, improve
• water quality on the Spokane River by reducing sedimentation. ...habitat for fish and wildlife, improve
• forest riparian easement program, or FREP, is a compensation program developed under the Forest and Fish
• My job is to work daily with communities and the fish impacted by the recent flooding across our state
• The project aligns the interests of the city, county, Yakama Nation, Department of Fish and Wildlife,

Summary: The committee first heard a briefing on the proposed Senate capital budget, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, which would spend about $723 million total using debt-limit bonds, Climate Commitment Act funds, and other cash resources. Staff described major investments in housing and homelessness, human services, local infrastructure, flood response, water conservation and clean energy, K-12 school modernization and seismic work, and higher education projects. Members then took public testimony from a wide range of advocates and project sponsors, most of whom urged the Senate to preserve or increase funding for specific projects in the final budget, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, child care facilities, food banks, behavioral health and substance use treatment centers, tribal courthouse relocation, school modernization, community colleges, university projects, floodplain restoration, community forests, and local civic or cultural facilities. Several witnesses also asked the Senate to match or approach House funding levels on items such as the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, the Community Forest Program, Floodplains by Design, and CCA-supported clean energy and water projects. The chair noted that amendments to the capital budget were due the next day at noon. The committee then received a briefing on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts by repealing three existing accounts and replacing them with two new accounts: a CCA operating account and a CCA capital account. Staff explained that the bill would preserve most existing uses while changing revenue distribution formulas, capping Ecology administrative costs, expanding allowable uses for EV-related costs, housing, and carbon capture/sequestration, and changing reporting and tribal consultation provisions. The bill also shifts some reporting from annual to biannual and modifies the thresholds for tribal-supported and overburdened-community investments. The fiscal note was described as relatively small, with the main impact being the revised revenue allocation structure. Public testimony on the CCA bill was mixed. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said the restructuring better aligns spending with the intent of the CCA and could improve investments for tribes and overburdened communities. Critics, including the Washington Policy Center, argued the bill still lacks strong requirements to ensure CCA spending is effective and objected to reducing the frequency of the state’s climate-spending report. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Philippe-Lal-Luze, Department of Fish and Wildlife employee for 10 years in CAPTCUAW, Local 1115.
• Hi, Philippe-Lal-Luze, Department of Fish and Wildlife Employee for 10 years in CAPTCUAW, local 1115.
• I'm an employee of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and a proud member of CAPS UAW 1115
• I'm a scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and a member of CAP COAW, Section
• I just wanted to add that I work on the ecology of fishes.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill is now before the House on final passage: House Bill 2341, an act amending the charter
• House Bill 4400, an act relative to the charter of the city known as the town of Randolph.
• Walsh of Peabody moves that the bill be amended by substitution with a bill amending the charter of the

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and first took up procedural matters. It suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of two petitions: one concerning the sale of nitrous oxides and another establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff's Office employee. The House also suspended Rule 7A to advance several bills reported by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee. The bills ordered to a third reading included legislation protecting employees’ right to rebuttal of personnel records, and local bills waiving the maximum age requirement for two Boston police officer applicants and establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The House then passed two bills to enactment: one authorizing Scituate to issue four additional on-premises liquor licenses and another amending the charter of Aquinnah. Later, the House engrossed a Hull parking fines bill and considered a Randolph charter bill. On motion, the Randolph bill was amended by substitution with a related bill addressing compensation for town council and school committee members and meetings of multiple-member bodies, and then passed to engrossment as amended. The session concluded with adjournment, with notice that the House would meet in informal session on Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• House 2341, an act amending the charter of the town of Aquinnah.
• The bill is: An act relative to the charter of the city known as the town of Randolph. House 4400.
• Walsh of Peabody moves that the bill be amended by substitution of a bill amending the charter of the

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including a petition on the sale of nitrous oxides and a petition to establish a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several House bills for consideration, including a bill protecting employees’ right to rebuttal of personnel records, two Boston Police age-waiver bills, and a bill establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day; the House also suspended Rule 7A and ordered these bills to a third reading. The House then took up final passage on several measures. House Bill 4657, authorizing Scituate to issue four additional liquor licenses, was enacted. House Bill 2341, amending the charter of the town of Aquinnah, was also passed to be enacted. On third reading, House Bill 4247, authorizing Hull to establish a schedule of fines for parking violations, was passed to be engrossed. The House next considered House Bill 4400, relating to the charter of the town of Randolph. Representative Walsh of Peabody offered an amendment substituting House Bill 4891, which would amend the Randolph charter regarding compensation for town council and school committee members and meetings of multiple-member bodies; the amendment was adopted, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then adjourned, with notice that it would meet in informal session on Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now before the House on final passage: House Bill 2341, an act amending the charter of the town of Ayer
• The third reading of the bill: An act relative to the charter of the city known as the town of Randolph
• Walsh of Peabody moves that the bill be amended by substitution with a bill amending the charter of the

Transcript Highlights:

• block grant, subject matter requirements to establish competency, universal and targeted assistance, charter
• block grant, subject matter requirements to establish competency, universal and targeted assistance, charter
• created by this bill or by this proposal, authorizers should not be restricted from evaluating a charter
• rejects a proposal to audit the calculations that serve as the basis for the non-classroom-based charter
• Just want to align my comments with my colleagues at CSEA related to the charter school proposals related

Transcript Highlights:

• block grant, subject matter requirements to establish competency, universal and targeted assistance, charter
• created by this bill or by this proposal, authorizers should not be restricted from evaluating a charter
• rejects a proposal to audit the calculations that serve as the basis for the non-classroom-based charter
• I want to align my comments with my colleagues at CSEA related to the charter school proposals, oversight
• In addition, I want to stress the importance of reinstating the moratorium on non-classroom-based charters

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751, local approval received
• An act relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751.
• An act permitting The House bill relative to the charter of the town of Westboro, House No. 4751, an

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a resolution congratulating the town of Kingston on its 300th anniversary after suspending the rules. The chamber also recognized the 2025 cheerleading squad captains and coaches for winning the MSAA small co-ed division championship and being named grand champions, as well as the Franklin High School girls’ varsity volleyball team for winning the MIAA Division I championship. The House received a gubernatorial message submitting fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations requests, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition authorizing eminent domain in Norwood, referring that matter to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then placed several local bills on the calendar, including measures for Plainville, Milford, Westboro, Revere, and Hopedale. Those local bills were taken up on second reading and ordered to a third reading. The House also considered Senate amendment House 4171, concerning vacancies among town meeting members in Milford; the amendment was reported correctly drawn, the House concurred, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Franklin may impose, local approval received; and House Bill 5365, an act amending the Home Rule Charter
• excise tax that the town of Franklin may impose, House Bill 5334; and an act amending the Home Rule Charter
• bills, being rightly and truly prepared for final passage: Senate Bill 1446, an act amending the charter

Summary: The House first adopted several committee-reported resolutions honoring individuals and community achievements, including Virginia Ann Conley, New Betancourt, Joseph P. Nickerson Sr. on his 100th birthday, and Andrew Labovitz for attaining Eagle Scout. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Stephen Altrino concerning treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip to move to the Committee on Financial Services. The House then took up two local bills on second reading: H.5334, allowing Franklin to increase its local hotel excise tax limit, and H.5365, amending the Falmouth Home Rule Charter to create a Licensing Commission. Both were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed to be enacted S.1446, changing the residency requirement for the Tewksbury town manager, and two Haverhill police age-exemption bills for Nick Santos and Anthony Morales. It also passed to be engrossed S.3018, authorizing Berkeley to recall elected officials, and H.5099, allowing Rainham to grant an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Benjamin Swan of Springfield, who served from 1994 to 2016. The session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . - An act amending the Home Rule Charter of the Town of Falmouth to create the Falmouth Licensing Commission
• excise tax that the town of Franklin may impose, House No. 5334; and an act amending the Home Rule Charter
• following bills, being rightly and truly prepared for final passage: Senate 1446, an act amending the charter

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an act to amend the New York City Charter in relation to establishing a process for neutral arbiters
• This is an act to amend the New York City Charter and the General Municipal Law in relation to notice
• This is an act to amend the New York City Charter and the General Municipal Law in relation to notice

Committee: Senate Cities 1

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 met on May 7, 2026, with Senator Erik Bottcher presiding and Senator Chan offering brief opening remarks. The committee considered seven bills dealing with New York City and related municipal issues, including stormwater and groundwater analysis in southeast Queens (S.457A), a neutral-arbiter process for NYPD disciplinary decisions (S.5084), notice and inspection requirements for battery energy storage systems (S.5208), adjacent neighbor rights (S.6847), annual certification of school towers (S.8472A), and a publicly available list of people convicted of illegal dumping (S.9866). Members generally spoke in support of the measures, with comments emphasizing public safety, community impacts, and quality-of-life concerns. Each bill was moved and approved by the committee, with the bills then reported onward to either the Finance Committee, the floor, or another committee as noted during the meeting. The final bill, S.9955, sponsored by Senator Bottcher, would establish a parking placard review board; it was also approved and reported to the Transportation Committee. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stream mitigation funds are administered through Fish and Wildlife.
• So the first is a Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources project
• And those funds would be coming from the fish and game fund to construct a new dining hall to replace
• </c><00:08:06.960><c> It's</c><00:08:07.120><c> the</c> fish and wildlife resources.
• It's the fish and wildlife resources.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the June meeting minutes and receipt of several correspondence and information reports. Those reports covered quarterly capital project status updates from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, lease modifications, asset preservation projects, school district debt issuances, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority budget history materials. Members also raised questions about a long-open stream mitigation account and were told the funds are fee-in-lieu stream mitigation monies administered through Fish and Wildlife, with staff promising to follow up on the specific project. The committee then reviewed and approved several capital project actions. These included a new Camp Oralis dining hall project for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, explained as a reauthorization because the funding split changed to 64% federal and 36% agency funds; an appropriation increase for the Shelbyville armory addition due to higher construction costs and security requirements; and emergency repair projects for Fort Boonesboro flood remediation and the Kentucky State Police Supply Branch fire damage. Members also approved a tenant improvement fund request for parking garage safety improvements at the Mayo Underwood Building. The Office of Financial Management presented three Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items and one Cleaner Water Program reallocation. The loans included a Shepherdsville sewer/drainage project and two Auburn water and lead service line projects; the grant reallocation involved unused Cleaner Water Program funds, with staff emphasizing that all ARPA-funded cleaner water dollars must be spent by December 31, 2026 or returned. After discussion, the committee approved the package. The committee also approved six Economic Development Fund grants, and the Cabinet for Economic Development began presenting the first six KPDI projects, though the transcript cuts off before those project details were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Wildlife; Legislative Council, Office of Legislative Council; General Counsel, Department of Fish
• and Wildlife; and the Chief Warden of the Warden Service Division, Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• </c><00:28:46.760><c> and</c> Commissioner, Department of Fish and Commissioner, Department of Fish and
• </c> Chief of Operations, Department of Fish Chief of Operations, Department of Fish and<00:29:08.800
• </c><00:29:16.040><c> and</c> General Counsel, Department of Fish and General Counsel, Department of

Transcript Highlights:

• It's regression, echoing the overregulation that our founders fled in England, where the royal charters
• founders fled in England where<01:05:59.359><c> the</c><01:05:59.520><c> royal</c><01:05:59.839><c> charters
• </c><01:06:00.319><c> stifled</c><01:06:00.880><c> free</c> where the royal charters stifled free where
• the royal charters stifled free enterprise. enterprise. enterprise.
• It's not just firearms, all kinds: hunting, camping, fishing, archery, you name it, they've got it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community banks can choose to be chartered in California or chartered federally.
• The number of banks and credit unions that are chartered here continues to decline, and taking half a
• for community banks and encourage them to be federally chartered.
• Community banks can choose to be chartered in California or chartered federally.
• for community banks and encourage them to be federally chartered.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For charter schools, TK wasn't in their charter, and then some basic aid districts, in particular Overall
• Most districts participate in TK right now, 96% of school districts, and 91% of charters who took the
• For charter schools, TK wasn't in their charter, and then some basic aid districts, in particular TK
• wasn't in their charter.
• We do know that almost all of the charters and the districts that didn't offer TK were small, with I

Summary: The hearing focused on California’s early learning and care system, including the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, universal preschool access, and the state’s transitional kindergarten (TK) expansion. Administration officials said California has made progress toward universal TK for all four-year-olds and expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, children with disabilities, and some two-year-olds in state preschool. The Department of Social Services highlighted ongoing work on quality improvement and a single rate structure, while the Department of Education emphasized continued investments in UPK infrastructure, inclusion, and teacher development. Testimony from advocacy groups stressed that access remains uneven, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and that federal threats to Head Start could significantly disrupt services in California. Witnesses and committee members discussed several policy recommendations for preschool and state preschool programs, including consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, simplifying eligibility priorities, eliminating some family and licensing fees, allowing self-attestation of income, making the two-year-old preschool option permanent, and basing funding on enrollment and the true cost of care. A parent from Contra Costa described losing child care after moving counties for safety reasons, illustrating delays and fragmentation in the system. Providers in public comment argued that reimbursement rates are too low and that better pay and retirement and health benefits are needed to stabilize the workforce. The second panel addressed the governor’s January budget proposal to fully implement universal TK and reduce TK class ratios from 12:1 to 10:1. The Department of Finance said the budget would add about $2.4 billion to serve all eligible four-year-olds and $1.5 billion for the lower ratio. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said its enrollment and cost estimates were lower than the administration’s and projected the ratio change would cost less than proposed. The Department of Education and the Learning Policy Institute reported that TK enrollment and staffing have grown, most districts now offer TK, and many are on track to meet new teacher requirements, but facilities, staffing, and expanded learning remain challenges. Committee members raised concerns about access at all school sites, the need for more full-day options, and the risk that TK expansion could crowd out CSPP and Head Start space.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Wiggins, as I read this, it says that it also applies to charter school district or charter
• </c> charter school district or charter charter school district or charter schools.<01:13:24.000><c>
• </c> didn't make any changes to charter didn't make any changes to charter schools<01:13:50.560><c> or
• I'm not a big charter school fan, but in some cases, I think if a charter school wants to take an existing
• ><05:52:50.558><c> interested</c><05:52:50.798><c> in</c> charter school that is interested in charter

Transcript Highlights:

• I found some weights in my fish. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The Get Out and Fish program continues to expand, adding community water bodies and bringing fishing
• In fiscal year 24-25, Wildlife and Fisheries biologists released approximately 7 million fish into public
• You mentioned recreational alligator fish in season.
• And then obviously our coastal WMAs allow for waterfowl hunting, fishing access, and things like that

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the FY27 executive budget review for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). House Fiscal outlined a $59.4 million LED budget, with major funding from state general fund, self-generated revenue, federal funds, and a marketing dedication, and explained reductions tied largely to the removal of one-time funding and carryforwards. The Secretary highlighted recent economic development results, including major capital investment announcements, job creation, the high-impact jobs program, Louisiana Fast Sites, and efforts to support existing businesses and small business growth. Members repeatedly asked for clearer public-facing materials on the tax and economic benefits of incentives, the use of the entertainment development fund, the structure of the high-impact jobs and Fast Sites programs, and how LED competes with other states. LED also discussed its Storyteller Initiative, regional project distribution, and the role of major events and film-related incentives. The committee then reviewed Louisiana Works’ FY27 budget of $352.7 million. Staff explained that the budget is driven mainly by federal funds and statutory dedications, with changes largely attributable to the One Door to Work Act and the transfer of workforce functions and positions into the department. The Secretary noted a planned $5 million move for the Louisiana STEM Council and a small request for elevator repairs, and members discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund’s improved balance, which lowered employer tax rates and increased benefits. Questions focused on workforce shortages, coordination with LCTCS and other training partners, the new Louisiana Talent Accelerator and workforce modernization efforts, the need for marketing to attract workers back to Louisiana, and remaining gaps in funding for rehabilitation services and disability employment programs. Finally, the committee took up the Department of Conservation and Energy’s FY27 budget of $201.3 million. Staff described decreases tied to the end of the Solar for All grant, lower orphan well spending as prior balances were drawn down, and reductions in some one-time funding and interagency transfers. The Secretary said the department’s reorganization is now largely complete and emphasized a focus on eliminating duplicative functions, strengthening enforcement and permitting, and using available funds more efficiently. Members questioned the reduction in orphan well funding, the impact of the Solar for All repeal, the use of settlement dollars, and the department’s plans for AI-assisted permitting and modernization of the Sunrise database. They also discussed ongoing work on seismic activity in Red River Parish, commercial fishermen’s claims for gear damaged by energy infrastructure, and efforts to improve financial security requirements for operators so future orphan well liabilities are better covered.