Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier, and I can understand the labor participation rate.
• So going back to the high school graduation rate of 90%... School graduation rate of 90%.
• Now, I am concerned about the rate because it worries me that we... ...the rate because it worries me
• So that is another reason too that we saw a lower retention rate.
• We've got to get our college career ready rate matching our graduation rate.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . with delinquency rates student loans. with delinquency rates now<00:10:49.200> reaching<00:10
• to the national rate.
• In December, Minnesota's unemployment rate was 4.1%, up 1.1 percentage points from a rate of 3.0% one
• Although the unemployment rate has risen, Minnesota's rate remains below the national rate, and the state's
• Um, we have the AAA bond rating.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the current rate of $10.32, we came up with a bad amount. Great.
• But we didn't necessarily manage to decrease our nonresidents at the same rate.
• My community and my students are hurting due to current ice rates.
• So sick leave is going to be their normal salary rate, right?
• We support and appreciate the $62.4 million to increase the tier 2 rate to 1800.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up the May Revision update on Proposition 98 and the school rainy-day fund. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with lower average daily attendance projections offsetting some of the revenue gains. Finance also described a reduced $3.9 billion settle-up proposal, increased deposits into the Public School System Stabilization Account, and an ending reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF adjustments were reasonable, but urged the Legislature to be cautious about delaying settle-up payments and to consider more budget resiliency, including larger cushions or other tools to protect ongoing programs. Members then questioned the administration and LAO about the size of the settle-up, the rationale for the reserve deposit, declining enrollment, and how lower attendance is creating savings that can be redirected to other school priorities. The LAO said the May Revision’s mix of one-time and ongoing spending was generally reasonable but recommended keeping a strong cushion and considering alternatives such as advance payments or pension-related savings. Questions also focused on how the May Revision’s funding mix affects districts if revenues weaken, and on the treatment of special education, discretionary block grants, and paid family leave costs for LEAs and community colleges. The committee next heard the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described a higher SCFF COLA, increased apportionment costs, a student support block grant, deferred maintenance, Common Cloud, Calbright, credit for prior learning, and a one-time adult learner demonstration project. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the SCFF growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended funding the statutory COLA increase, noted a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall not yet included in the May Revision, and suggested the Legislature could instead direct some funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time uses. Members also clarified how COLA and hold-harmless rules apply to different community college districts. Finally, the committee reviewed the proposed state implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career data work, plus trailer bill changes to set up state approval of eligible programs. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, with new federal rules just released and significant data, regulatory, and systems work still needed; it said the state will not be ready by July 1 and that ongoing funding will likely be necessary. The LAO agreed that implementation will require careful trailer bill language and noted that ongoing administrative costs remain unresolved. Members asked about other states’ approaches and the practical effect on short-term workforce programs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility rates are too high.
• Utility rates are too high.
• What rates are being paid for that?
• Our error rate right now is over 14%. The accepted error rate, or the... Federal benchmark is 6%.
• get lower insurance rates.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went from a B rating implementing this to a D rating this year.
• On TEA's A-F ratings of 22-23 school year, my home district, Cypher ISD long time a rated district a
• attend an A or B rated. school.
• The bill also prohibits the EA commissioner from assigning an overall performance rating of not rated
• And did you know that The recidivism rate in a regular prison is 68%, but the recidivism rate. in a faith-based

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• My rate might be 120, so that's the rate.
• That's actual rate.
• So we could just change cost rate... actual rate of available and accessible hotels and motels.
• laws that you cannot change rate laws that you cannot change rate depending<00:28:48.200> on<
• <00:28:55.760> of change cost rate we could actual rate of change cost rate we could actual

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's less shelter, which moves at a slower rate.
• At a minimum, you need an agency or somebody to post the schedules of the maximum rate increases for
• This measure would cap rental rate increases at the change in CPI.
• Under this proposal, it will be the larger of 5% or the rate of inflation.
• We do, after all, set limits on how much National Grid can increase rates.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the bridges that we rate: substructure, superstructure, and the deck.
• They are rated on a scale of zero, meaning failure, to 10, meaning pristine condition.
• There's still a rating factor of three, two, one, down to zero. So it is all relative, I guess.
• <00:21:59.760> bridges that that that we that we rate bridges that that that we that we rate
• <00:22:06.240> um bridges that we that we rate um bridges that we that we rate um substructure

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it was supposed to be a capitated rate.
• Again, it was supposed to be a capitated rate.
• rates, their grievance rates, and looking at all of that firsthand.
• Right now, our daily rate is just a flat daily rate across the board for all youth, but I assure you
• Right now, our daily rate is just a flat daily rate across the board for all youth, but I assure you

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Utility rates are going up, garbage rates, electricity rates are going up, insurance rates are going
• It changes the maximum millage rate calculation.
• The maximum millage rate determines what millage rate can be levied by a government with a majority vote
• This bill aligns the maximum millage rate with the rollback rate. The rollback rate is...
• The rollback rate is the millage rate that would provide a taxing authority with the same tax revenue

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's proposing cutting Medi-Cal dental reimbursement rates by 43%.
• He's proposing cutting Medi-Cal dental reimbursement rates by 43%.
• This would not count toward the 2% combined rate limit for local taxes.
• We don't just have low homeownership rates.
• We don't just have low homeownership rates.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they initially came in and asked for a Medicare rate.
• You know, they initially came in and asked for a Medicare rate.
• You know, they initially came in and asked for a Medicare rate.
• You know, they initially came in and asked for a Medicare rate.
• When we consider fair and adequate reimbursement, here is the town-set rates or community-set rates,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this bringing them to market rate? So, Mr.
• The one above it is the provider rate increases.
• Chair, because I know they were told they were getting a rate increase.
• So, we've almost doubled the rate of rent increase that the nation has seen.
• to be below market rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• His PTSD stress reaction increased heart rate, anxiety, hypervigilance, and anger all hit the top of
• Today, our rates are lower than in 1988.
• In 2011, due to the Great Recession, the CPCS reduced their copy rate to 10 cents.
• The economy soon recovered, but not our copy rate.
• Notably, it provides for an increase in the original page rate from $3 to $4.50.”

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• is low, but our chronic unemployment rate is over 8%.
• These are very high-risk, high failure rate. And it also is something.
• HJR1053 would require county clerks to calculate this revenue neutral rate.
• The rate of increase. So yes, we put those caps in whenever we put them in.
• And so, you, that's gonna drive your rate.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• continuation rate? First-year retention rate is 94%. That sounds pretty good.
• Higher rate than the pool at large.
• Our six-year graduation rate is over 80.
• First off, then, let me ask about your persistence rate of your talk.
• Our success rate is pretty good no matter what.

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• Section three increases the reimbursement rates for protected transportation, offering a humane, non-police
• > for<00:02:59.920> for the reimbursement rates for for the reimbursement rates for for
• We've seen lower rates of missing appointments because they can actually just hook up by phone.
• But the rate was set so low that we only have about two or three vehicles in the state.
• <00:08:46.480> of onset and results in high rates of onset and results in high rates of disability

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have seen a pay rate change where the company are keeping more, and I've seen times where I cannot
• I have seen a pay rate change where the company are keeping more, and I've seen times where I cannot
• I have seen a pay rate change where the company are keeping more, and I've seen times where I cannot
• I have seen a pay rate change where the company are keeping more, and I've seen times where I cannot
• I have seen a pay rate change where the company are keeping more, and I've seen times where I cannot

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• payers you know that they won't rate payers you know that they won't absorb<00:10:20.240> that
• <00:10:22.920> payers it on to our constituents as rate payers it on to our constituents as
• Just, uh, Representative Lewis, will this raise electric rates where we live?
• I reached out to them before I filed the bill, so it will not raise our rates, no. bill<00:14:42.399>
• rate I have<00:25:32.279> a<00:25:32.919> I<00:25:33.000> need<00:25:33.159>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:12 Introduction of Guests 01:09 HB 88 Discussion 01:46 HB 88 Roll Call Vote 03:24 HB 346 Discussion 04:20 HB 346 Roll Call Vote 21:58 Chair Comments 24:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at the suicide rates.
• Closely with a market-determined rate.
• One is a competitively determined rate.
• This is the CMS quality stars, which is the quality rating that Medicare uses to rate hospitals.
• Process to get close to commercial rates for Medicaid patients.

Keywords: 1184, house, all