Transcript Highlights:

• Our commodity prices are at all-time lows in many commodities in this state.
• Many different crops in the state have had low commodity prices.
• So at the same time as those commodity prices have gone down due to world factors, we have had record
• even if this program gets eliminated, if we just did our job as a legislative body to lower food prices
• even if this program gets eliminated, if we just did our job as a legislative body to lower food prices

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then held its Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 16, proclaiming May 4–11, 2025 as Cinco de Mayo Week, after supportive remarks from several caucuses emphasizing Mexican history, women’s contributions, LGBTQ solidarity, Black and Brown unity, and AAPI and Jewish community support. The chamber then recognized 11 Latino Spirit honorees for achievements in human rights, business, arts, public service, community empowerment, health and science, environmental justice, philanthropy, and entertainment. After the ceremony, the Assembly returned to floor business and approved a series of measures. AB 60, banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products, passed 56–3. AJR 6, urging Congress to protect federal school meal and local food funding, drew extensive debate and broad bipartisan support; members cited child hunger, farm economies, and local food systems, and it passed 76–0 with 73 coauthors added. Other measures adopted included AB 679 on state park land acquisitions, AB 681 expanding Dream Loan Program caps for undocumented graduate students, AB 1224 on substitute teacher continuity, AB 831 on gaming technical changes, AB 259 extending Brown Act teleconferencing flexibility, AB 467 extending Los Angeles Neighborhood Council teleconferencing authority, and AB 519 targeting deceptive puppy mill sales. The chamber also passed AB 1522, an urgency Judiciary Committee bill protecting attorneys from politically motivated discipline and creating an expedited licensing path for some former federal attorneys, and AB 263, which extends temporary water flow requirements on the Shasta and Smith Rivers; that bill drew sharp disagreement over water rights, tribal participation, and impacts on farmers, but ultimately passed 51–16. Additional measures approved included AB 428 on pooled insurance for water corporations, AB 492 requiring notice to local jurisdictions when recovery treatment facilities are licensed, and AB 536 preserving colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Assembly also adopted a motion to suspend file notice so Appropriations could hear AB 379 on May 7.

Transcript Highlights:

• figure four shows the increases in the Highway Construction Cost Index versus the General Consumer Price
• The CPI is the Consumer Price Index, and the blue line is the Highway Cost Index.
• In fact, the price tag on all the projects exceeds $1 billion in engineering and construction. destruction
• This price gouging by Harris County places an undue and excessive financial burden on individuals and
• As you all know, in Texas, dynamic toll pricing is used on managed toll lanes to manage traffic flow

Bills: HJR58, HJR63, HB263, HB542, HB905, HB 1288, HB1402, HB2003, HB2262, HB2323, HB2429, HB2876, HB3019, HB263

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• The low cotton production in Texas compounded by low market prices and sky-high input costs have positioned
• Unfortunately, between the small crop that was harvested and outdated reference prices in federal legislation
• Commodity prices have fallen 25% since 1922, 2022, while cotton production costs have increased 27% since
• and therefore that should help, um, the entire industry, uh, but obviously we're talking about a big price
• continue to pressure small and mid-sized operations, making it difficult to maintain competitive pricing

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, there is a correlation between West Texas Intermediate prices and 5155 revenues.
• If you've heard anything about egg prices, this is certainly one of the things that's factoring into
• Uh, if you've, uh, heard anything about egg prices, this is, uh, one of the things that's, uh, certainly
• The price of egg, I mean, ultimately the health and safety, but the price of eggs and the price of milk

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then, of course, they took the price at retail price and then they multiplied it out to get this
• Um, and then, of course, they took the price at retail price and then they multiplied it out to get this
• <00:58:22.000> and service providers dynamic pricing and service providers dynamic pricing
• pricing act. pricing act.
• sale price in multiple listing service. sale price in multiple listing service.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine announcements, including welcoming a new group of pages and noting donations of donuts and chicken from local businesses, along with a citation planned for Mr. Herman’s Bakery, which is closing after 103 years. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 858, establishing a Department of Budget and Management Audit and Finance Compliance Unit. A senator moved to send the bill back to second reading to add an amendment, which was adopted without objection, and the bill was reprinted for third reading. The Finance Committee then reported several bills. Senate Bill 84, concerning collective bargaining for graduate assistants at UMCP and UMBC, was laid over after questions about whether graduate assistants are employees or students. Senate Bill 455, creating a transformational project financing program tied to tax increment financing districts, had two committee amendments adopted and was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, also received two committee amendments and was ordered up, but a later Howard County amendment was proposed and the bill was laid over. Senate Bill 777, directing workforce development support in hospital closures and related events, was adopted and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 831, addressing child labor penalties, private-sector labor relations, and state labor standards, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 932, requiring social media platforms to display users’ general geographic location, was laid over after questions. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 340, requiring at least $2 million annually for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office, with two amendments adopted and the bill sent to third reading. Senate Bill 489, creating a limited license pathway for physicians trained abroad and repealing the fifth pathway program, was adopted with two amendments and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 496, expanding Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, prompted extended debate over the fiscal note and who would bear the costs; the sponsor argued the estimate was overstated and did not account for likely lower utilization or health-care savings, while an opponent pressed concerns about the state share and structural deficit. The discussion continued without a final vote in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The prices are horrendous.
• The prices are horrendous.
• The prices are horrendous.
• It comes with a price.
• It comes with a price. So come for free. It comes with a price.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we fail to treat these workers with basic dignity, our kids pay the price.
• basic dignity, our kids pay the price. basic dignity, our kids pay the price.
• This is too high a price to pay for a basic human need. The out-of-pocket maximum is $7,000.
• yearly salary explain to us how prices yearly salary explain to us how prices are<00:58:53.520><
• You know, you know, as price, perhaps.

Bills: HF3119

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The USMCA reduces volatility, it helps maintain stable prices, and supports the agricultural industry
• costs: the tighter rules of origin, while encouraging North American production, often lead to higher prices
• costs: the tighter rules of origin, while encouraging North American production, often lead to higher prices
• But even after tariffs were lifted, those business owners were experiencing increased pricing due to
• We have specialized capabilities, different price levels for labor across the border, and it opens the

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• addiction who might drink hand sanitizer or hairspray, as some have suggested if we increase alcohol prices
• Is that price of that bottle gonna change behavior that night?
• I think she's A.B.D., who really wants to study the impact of the price of alcohol in New York.
• Wei pointed out, a small minority of people who, it doesn't matter what the price is, it just doesn't
• And in terms of the price point, no, we're not going to affect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prices are rising already. MS. KAPTUR: TODAY IS THE FOURTH WORST DAY ON U.S.
• PRICES ARE RISING ALREADY. And our financial markets are turbulent, in the wrong direction.
• These tariffs are propelling prices upwards. We don't want them to go that way.
• We want to stop the rising prices.
• THIS STOP-START, STOP-START TARIFFS ARE PRODUCING NO BENEFITS FOR AMERICA WHILE ALREADY RISING PRICES

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• final negotiation of specific positions at specific locations and specific services, and then the pricing
• Then we'll start to transmit the document and negotiate the pricing.
• <00:46:26.720> We<00:46:26.960> have<00:46:27.119> one pricing effect for that
• We have one pricing effect for that.
• the document and negotiate the pricing. the document and negotiate the pricing. uh<00:46:36.319>

Keywords: The original version of this live stream dropped before the meeting was technically finished. This is the complete copy pulled from back up sources., 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear updates from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on two related issues: a proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility and medical services contracts, including the impact of Wellpath’s bankruptcy proceedings. At the start, the chair agreed to hear the Department of Corrections first so members could get context on the medical contract before turning to DJJ’s proposal. DOC officials said Wellpath, the department’s comprehensive medical and mental health provider since 2013, was awarded its current contract through a 2021 procurement process. They reported that Wellpath’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan had been confirmed and that the company had transitioned ownership to lenders, but had not yet fully completed the bankruptcy process. DOC said there had been no service lapses, no reduction in care, and no known impact on Kentucky vendors or hospitals, and that DOC staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether the committee had been kept informed and whether the bankruptcy could affect future services or subcontractors. DJJ then presented its concept for a high-acuity facility, explaining that the project is still in the preliminary programming and conceptual stage and has not yet entered the formal design phase with DECA. Officials said the proposal in the capital plan would create a 24-bed facility, with 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, to serve justice-involved youth with serious mental health needs. They said the facility would need to separate males and females and high- and low-risk youth, and that current placements often require sending youth out of state to places such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas. Staff said the goal is to centralize treatment, improve safety, and reduce the need for fragmented or out-of-state placements. Committee members questioned the cost estimates, staffing needs, and whether the facility was justified given the small number of youth currently placed out of state. DJJ said the operational estimate includes an unknown medical-contract component and that the number of youth needing the facility can fluctuate because of surges in the juvenile population. Officials also said they had consulted with South Carolina, which is developing a similar facility, and noted that renovating existing facilities was considered but could be more expensive or impractical than building a separate site. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Price of construction, Mr.
• I think our schools are gonna have a higher price to build.
• I know that price has changed.
• I know that we, we, we've changed some things in here this year that will affect that price.
• We've had many, many discussions about what the price of oil was 60 days ago, what it may be.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the people who pay the biggest price or bear a disproportionate amount of the harm for our inaction
• heat standard and the renewable energy standard are reviled for their perceived potential impact on prices
• Here we had an opportunity to protect Vermont ratepayers from electricity price increases, and we have

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will sell it to the pharmacies at that price. The Most a pharmacy can charge is $55.
• We currently have Americans for Lower Drug Prices supporting this.
• In this, we also have several other groups that have come out to support this bill to get our drug prices

Bills: SB1423, SB1426, SB1502, SB1377, SB1983, SB1466, SB1645, SB1647, SB1847, SB1565, SB1562, SB1329, SB1383, SB1833, SB1555, SB1344

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, we've seen this tremendous increase in price.
• And at the very bottom of the page there During those months when the prices were really high.
• Some of it correlates a bit with oil price.
• And so, despite the high price of oil, we've been below forecast, obviously, in that type.
• We're waiting on project pricing, hoping that that should be coming back in about mid-July.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• of problems in America: problems of affordable housing and wages not keeping up with inflation, the price
• of gas, the price of electricity, and the price of health care.
• and richer and richer, and the bottom part of the K is everybody else, just falling and falling as prices

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by guest introductions and several recognitions. The chamber observed World Hearing Day with a proclamation honoring hearing health awareness and access to care, and also recognized the 100th anniversary of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 in Glendale. The Doctor of the Day was introduced, and additional guests included mobile food vendors who were present in connection with a discussion about food truck licensing remaining a city matter. The Senate then took up a series of third-reading bills, most of them transportation appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1154, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, and 1457 all passed, with members debating whether transportation funding should come from the general fund or the HURF fund, and several senators speaking in support of specific road projects in their districts or for tribal communities. SB 1461 also passed with broad support; it would fund an AHCCCS allied health care workforce pipeline, and supporters described it as a practical response to health care worker shortages. SB 1798 passed with bipartisan support to increase FAFSA awareness and support for students and families. The Senate also passed SB 1065, creating funding for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for military veterans, despite concerns from opponents about unproven claims for other conditions. SB 1088, 1156, and 1157 passed after extended debate over immigration enforcement, border security, and whether the appropriations were requested or necessary; supporters framed them as reimbursements or security measures, while opponents argued they targeted immigrant communities and duplicated federal responsibilities. SB 1019, which would have amended bottled water system law related to fluoridation, failed on a 14-11 vote after a lengthy debate over public health, informed consent, and fluoride safety. The Senate also announced committee meetings for the following Monday, withdrew HB 2110 from one committee and referred it to another, and then adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will reach a guaranteed maximum price with the contractor before we move forward with the project.
• design within that established budget, we'll put it out to bid and come back with a guaranteed maximum price
• So was that our mistake or Entergy's mistake in the pricing of that?
• So was that our mistake or Entergy's mistake in the pricing of that?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very different than the statutory scheme for a TNC, for example, because it's metered, it can't surge price
• For TNCs, there are the mechanism to different prices versus what's going on. So as to Mr.
• it's metered, it the statutory scheme for a TNC, for example, because it's metered, it can't surge price
• For TNCs, there are the mechanism to different prices versus what's going on. So as to Mr.

Bills: SB507

Keywords: SB507, Nevada, governmental administration, Office of Nevada Boards Commissions and Councils Standards, Department of Business and Industry, professional licensing boards, occupational licensing, regulatory fees, state account, nonreverting fund, Commission on Postsecondary Education, taxicab, taxi technology fee, Nevada Transportation Authority, Taxicab Authority, transportation network company, TNC, rideshare, Uber, Lyft

Transcript Highlights:

• I left, checked out, did self checkout thinking maybe I'd get a little bit of a break in prices, as we
• processing them here in New Mexico would also alleviate some of the costs that are now being added to the prices
• They are processed outside of the state and then brought back in with additional prices.
• I think this during the Biden administration, everything skyrocketed on prices, but it said buying eggs

Transcript Highlights:

• Price Mr. Roberts Mr. Sessions Mr. Shelnutt Mr. Singleton Mr. Smitherman Mr. Stewart Mr. Stutts Mr.
• Price Mr. Roberts Mr. Sessions Mr. Sessions Mr. Shelnutt Mr. Singleton Mr. Smitherman Mr.
• It's almost like gold out there with the prices going up on it. So why are we putting steel in it?
• Price? Mr. Roberts? Mr. Sessions? Mr. Shelnutt? Mr. Stewart? Mr. Stewart? Mr. Waggoner? Ms. Wagner?

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution