Transcript Highlights:

• started their family in Texas, where Bill began... a company that he later sold to one of the biggest utilities
• A utility that overpumps a GCD permit to meet customer demand, despite raising rates consistently with
• Contingency Plan, the committee substitute authorizes, but does not require, the court to have the utility
• For our teachers, like utilities, food, and transportation, is lower than the basic allotment increase
• This language was unnecessary because the word "valid" is on the same page and line. ... and is a key

Bills: HB5560, HB2, HB24, HB3233, HB1397, HB2067, HB3133, HB5696, HB5680, HB2885, HB3966, HB3556, HB3595, HB144, HB26, HB2038, HB521, HB4, HB 1178, HB42, HB 1211, HB783, HB3963, HB2240, HB1690, HB 1234, HB3372, HB27, HB4211, HB2243, HB2853, HB4638, HJR7, HB 100, HB 126, HB3783, HB5138, HB2512, HB5616, HB4751, SB17, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB21, SB2778, SB260, SB8, SB12, SB37, SB379, SB441, SB1566, SB2878, HB4112, HB3866, HB4749, HB2844, HB150

Keywords: groundwater, civil penalties, water conservation, drought contingency, environmental protection, public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, zoning, public notice, local government, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• hospitals and share best practices, identifying innovations specific to the needs of each community utilizing
• Do you all utilize nurse practitioners for primary care? Yes, sir.
• Okay, and in those smaller communities, can you walk us through the health care outcomes of those utilizing
• It's about empathy and validation.
• We would help them get the utilities turned on, help them move in, provide training on budgeting, and

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a valid comment.
• <01:39:33.119> I<01:39:33.520> it's<01:39:33.760> a<01:39:34.000> valid
• I it's a valid bring to the table.
• Did it indicate in the Literacy Act that we would be utilizing this process?
• would be utilizing this process? would be utilizing this process?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, there may be very valid reasons for doing that, such as they want to reduce their dependency on
• <00:25:31.160> reasons<00:25:31.560> for Now, there may be very valid reasons for Now
• , there may be very valid reasons for doing<00:25:31.960> that<00:25:32.240> such<00:25
• And since we're already the lowest cost, lowest utilization state, these savings come from jobs.
• Um, if I care for lower cost, lower utilization patients, then my margin on that 1/3 is significantly

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now he has to invest in the roads and utilities.
• Now he has to invest in the roads and utilities.
• that all begins to make more utilities that all begins to make more sense<00:59:35.200> with<
• This issue should be brought to town meetings and valid initiatives, allowing the people who live in
• This issue should be brought to town meetings and valid initiatives, allowing the people who live in

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is listed in current statute that if it is for a valid medical purpose.
• Enhancement of performance when it's being prescribed for a reason that is not medically valid.
• Where it clarifies what a valid medical purpose would be.
• What are the other valid reasons?
• The reasons that you would be taking steroids that are valid and yet may not.

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has utilized them on the border and their border issues.
• They would not be utilized for large-scale flooding. None of that.
• We're gonna be utilizing fees received from.
• Utilize that portion of her previous experience when we have needed that.
• And that's a method under federal law that the state is allowed to utilize.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in in many<00:03:17.840> cases,<00:03:18.159> we<00:03:18.480> utilize<00:03
• :18.720> a<00:03:18.879> collection many cases, we utilize a collection many cases, we
• utilize a collection service<00:03:19.680> to<00:03:19.920> do<00:03:20.080> that.
• 27.600> with<00:05:27.759> the Does a community engage with the Business Council to utilize
• Wyoming as well as other utility Wyoming as well as other utility providers.<01:41:09.440> Then

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a student validity team. It's cross-departmental. They go to great lengths.
• There's a student validity team. It's cross-departmental.
• team is to validate the valid students.
• And we have to be safe with the student information when we're trying to validate their identity.
• And we have to be safe with the student information when we're trying to validate their identity.

Summary: The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases. EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state. The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1350 will help California utilize hydrogen to decarbonize the power system.
• One of our major delays can be utility relocation and permitting associated with utilities.
• SB 887, due pass to Utilities and Energy Committee is the motion.
• SB 887, due pass to Utilities and Energy Committee is the motion.
• SB 887, Padilla, motion is due pass to Utilities and Energy.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All the valid existing rights for development were retained.
• So if you had an oil and gas lease or if you had a mining lease or any kind of valid existing right you
• All the valid existing rights for development were retained.
• Like I said, any valid existing rights, oil and gas leases, mining, etc., continued into the new RMP.
• Any valid existing rights, oil and gas leases, mining, etc., continued into the new RMP.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By utilizing the General Fund to support repayment of the loan, it will sustain the Bureau's admin fund
• Is there any outcome data from year one that you can share to validate whether or not this target is
• It assumes CalHR's projected utilization rate of 15%.
• The actual service cost could actually be lower if utilization is below 15%.
• They will also coordinate services for first... ...responder departments, monitor utilization trends,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a May Revision budget hearing on state administration and related issues, hearing presentations from multiple departments and agencies. Early items included the Public Employment Relations Board on funding for implementation of AB 1 and a reduced request tied to AB 288, the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement on a technical College Corps adjustment, and the Secretary of State on building security upgrades, election security grant matching funds, and payroll system readiness costs. The Department of Consumer Affairs presented a Board of Pharmacy modernization request and a General Fund backfill for the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education; the LAO raised no concerns on the pharmacy item but recommended rejecting the private postsecondary backfill and questioned interest-free loan language. The Employment Development Department outlined several large workload and benefit adjustments, including EDD Next document management funding, UI loan interest, DI/PFL benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, school employee benefits, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical reversion correction; the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL increase and the expansion of the document management scope, while members asked about program impacts and timelines. The California Workforce Development Board presented an April adjustment to reimbursement authority for an interagency agreement with Caltrans, which the LAO said raised no concerns. Public comment on that item and others included support for workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, including the Jails to Jobs proposal and renewal of the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, though those were not part of the May Revision package. The Department of Industrial Relations then presented several proposals: reclassifying legal positions, continuing modernization of the workers’ compensation EAMS system, Cal/OSHA data modernization, creating a Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, reappropriating funds for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the statutory treatment of the workers’ compensation administrative director’s salary. The LAO generally found the IT and salary proposals reasonable but urged close monitoring of the new emerging technologies unit. Committee members, especially Assemblymember Ortega, pressed DIR on long vacancy rates, wage theft claim delays, low collection rates for Cal/OSHA fines, and whether new resources would improve outcomes; DIR said it was pursuing recruitment, classification reviews, and process modernization, while the LAO noted that staffing alone may not explain the delays. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board also sought to make permanent a 2024 change to the 60-day reconsideration clock, saying it had reduced backlog and interim orders; the LAO had no concerns. Finally, the Department of Human Resources presented a statewide Employee Assistance Program contract consolidation that would lower costs compared with renewing separate contracts and requested one program manager position to oversee the contract and first responder services; the hearing continued with Finance’s response after the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, the anticipated utilization when we looked at states like Mississippi that have introduced this
• So, uh the the uh anticipated utilization<00:07:14.960> when<00:07:15.120> we<00:07:15.280
• > looked<00:07:15.440> at<00:07:16.080> of<00:07:16.240> states utilization
• when we looked at of states utilization when we looked at of states like<00:07:16.720> Mississippi
• And then when you look at the real-world utilization, especially within just a weight-loss population

Keywords: 0:00 – Meeting start/roll call 0:10 - Roll call/approval of minutes 1:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Medicaid Services 27:40 - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 55:54 - Board of Veterinary Examiners 1:33:15 - Testimony in support of 804 KAR 13:010E, 020E, 030E and 040E. 1:49:04 - Education Professional Standards Board 1:49:58 - Attorney General, Office of Regulatory Relief 1:52:18 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) 1:54:28 - Board of Nursing 1:56:44 - Board of Occupational Therapy 1:57:37 - Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy 1:58:58 - Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 1:59:50 - Economic Development Finance Authority 2:01:34 - Department of Corrections 2:02:37 - Department of Juvenile Justice 2:04:02 - Department for Employment Services, Unemployment Insurance 2:04:57 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Public Health, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:34.320> projects street, and underground utility projects street, and underground utility
• So we're utilizing funds derived from the non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, and gas to invest
• Uh, and then also NRCS EQIP dollars are a big matching program that the sponsors utilize a lot.
• <01:11:13.360> On<01:11:13.679> the that the sponsors utilize a lot.
• On the that the sponsors utilize a lot.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we maybe utilize in a community?
• The question is how do we utilize it? And I'd like to... How do we utilize it?
• One is that there are plenty of federal dollars being utilized through the programs.
• and technology to utilize satellites and whatnot.
• So, we see success in it, and I think your question is valid.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It means that patients are utilizing services more frequently.
• or if many members are utilizing fewer behavioral health services.
• So the utilization has gone up.
• The unwinding got rid of low utilizers, right? So folks that maybe were more healthy.
• So we do have that on the utilization metrics. There's a very, very small set of utilization.

Transcript Highlights:

• PEOPLE WHO SIGN UP TO GIVE UTILITIES CONTROL, PEOPLE WHO -- PEOPLE SIGN UP TO GIVE THEIR UTILITIES CONTROL
• How is extreme cold and extreme heat defined for the utilities?
• HOW IS EXTREME COLD AND EXTREME HEAT DEFINED FOR THE UTILITIES?
• FROM INCIDEN DISTRIBUTED SOLAR T THE UTILITY.
• , taxes, fees, onto our utilities.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just think that it's really, really disappointing that the testifiers we heard today are utilizing
• I just think that it's really, really disappointing that the testifiers we heard today are utilizing
• our kids as workers are utilizing our kids as workers instead<00:37:29.640> of<00:37:29.800><
• It protects the seal of the sites from being broken, not allowing utility lines such as sewer, water,
• The sites from being broken, not allowing utility lines such as sewer, water, electric, natural gas,

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you're hitting a valid point.
• >> I think I think your comments are valid.
• I think your comments are valid.
• >> I think that's valid because it's not under RSA 673. >> I think that's valid because it's not under
• And utilities are in my husband's name.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB145, HB154, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB38, HB47, HB63, HB64, HB127, HB165, HB184, HB200, HM20, HM51

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance