Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Johnson to talk about the bill itself.
• For the record, my name is Mark Johnson.
• Mark Johnson I'm the executive director Mark Johnson I'm the executive director for<00:06:14.639>
• um um whether that's this paint marking um um whether that's this paint marking method<00:58:38.319
• type thing with with ribbon or marking type thing with with ribbon or marking like<01:04:45.839>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for GM 779 for Mark Fong Su Wat for Workforce Development Council.
• for<00:01:20.680> GM<00:01:21.160> 779<00:01:22.360> for<00:01:22.600> Mark
• <00:01:23.520> Fong<00:01:23.760> Su<00:01:23.920> Wat this is for GM 779 for Mark
• My name is Mark Fong Su Wat.
• Uh, maybe along with Mark, who will hopefully make it as well. That's about it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several gubernatorial nominations to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one nomination to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. For GM 779, Mark Fong Su Wat said he would bring his experience as an electrician and labor community member to workforce development, and he committed to serving if confirmed. Testimony was unanimously supportive, with 10 in support and none opposed, and the committee voted to recommend advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted. For GM 792, Sheryl Cross sought a second term on the Workforce Development Council and described her work on employer engagement, military veteran affairs, and military spouse employment. In response to questions, she emphasized the need to better connect military spouses, underrepresented workers, and students pursuing trades or non-college pathways to jobs, including through school academies and online hiring initiatives. The item was held for later decision-making. For GM 793, Ashley Lohua, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council, said her focus would be helping people stay in Hawaii by improving job retention, listening to community concerns, and building pathways between sectors. Support testimony highlighted her work with marginalized communities and her empathy and leadership. She told the committee she would use her nonprofit and HR experience to help address vacancies and workforce barriers; the item was also held for later decision-making. For GM 774, Douglas Thomas Moore, nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, said his first priority would be reducing the backlog. He proposed using informal conferences and mediation to speed workers’ compensation appeals and suggested recruiting more practitioners, especially younger ones, into the field. The committee noted 11 supportive testimonies and no opposition; no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• trunk<00:11:53.600> highway<00:11:54.079> 23<00:11:54.959> in segment of marked
• trunk highway 23 in segment of marked trunk highway 23 in Candy<00:11:55.680> Ohio<00:11:56.160
• Mower County Sergeant Deputy Mark Mower County Sergeant Deputy Mark Anderson,<00:20:15.600> and
• <00:49:51.359> by<00:49:51.520> a His time in the House was marked by a His time in
• the House was marked by a deep<00:49:52.000> respect<00:49:52.400> for<00:49:52.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In attendance, we have our ranking minority members, Senator Mark Walczyk.
• In attendance, we have our ranking minority member, Senator Mark Walczyk.
• An act to amend the Local Finance Law in relation to facilitating the marking of any issue of zero bonds
• An act to amend the Local Finance Law in relation to facilitating the marking of any issue of zero bonds

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Cities 2 met for its first and last meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Senator Ryan presiding and members Walczyk, Fahey, and Baskin present. The committee took up three bills. The first, S.8283-A, would require additional notice before a city discontinues drinking water fluoridation; it was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously. The second, S.8859, would extend by one year special bonding authority for the city of Yonkers. Senator Walczyk voiced concern about the repeated annual extensions and said he would vote no, arguing municipalities should address their finances without continued state assistance. The bill was then approved, with Walczyk recorded in opposition. The third bill, S.9839, would extend by one year provisions related to the city of Buffalo’s issuance of certain bonds or notes. It was moved and seconded, and approved, with Senator Walczyk again noting his earlier concerns. After the three bills were reported, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On Wednesday, the committee will take public testimony, additional member questions, mark up the bill
• questions, mark up the bill, and vote. questions, mark up the bill, and vote.
• Peter Strowmire and Mark Nisley. Uh, thanks to you as well.
• <00:02:47.360> Uh<00:02:47.599> thanks Strowmire and and Mark Nisley.
• Uh thanks Strowmire and and Mark Nisley.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Gonzales? Here. Mark Gonzales, present. Pacheco? Pellerin? Here. Pellerin, present. Present.
• Mark Gonzalez? Aye. Mark Gonzalez, aye. Hart? Aye. Hart, aye. Pacheco? Aye. Pacheco, aye. Pellerin?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've made a mark on my life, and I'm glad that mark on my life, and I'm glad that you've been a part
• Because I ran that bill and, like Mark, I am taking away—it strips statute.
• Before Mark was a senator, before Mark was a representative, he's been a successful business person.
• Well, I've known Mark for close to two decades. I actually met you...
• And everybody knows I talk about being family here, but I think Mark is family here, but I think Mark

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So then what they did was mark Caucasian. So we were marked as Caucasian growing up.
• So then what they did was mark Caucasian. So we were marked as Caucasian growing up.
• That's why they're able to mark that down.
• So what would that be marked down for yourself, right?
• Mark McDonald, on behalf of the Los Angeles Community College District, in support. Good morning.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with most of the discussion centered on student privacy, faculty health coverage, Native student data collection, mental health training for coaches, and human trafficking prevention education. AB 1159, the California Learner Personal Information Protection Act, would expand student data privacy protections to higher education, clarify existing ed-tech rules, and add limited enforcement. The author and supporters said current law is outdated and does not adequately protect sensitive student information, while some college-related stakeholders raised definitional concerns about preserving routine student communications and access to course materials. The bill was approved on a due-pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. AB 1171 would keep unspent funds in the part-time community college faculty health insurance program from being swept for other uses and would require all community college districts to begin negotiating participation by 2030. The author and supporters argued that part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents said the bill was premature because participation is still growing and the program’s full-year spending data is not yet known. Members debated whether the Legislature should preserve the funding in statute or continue handling it through the budget process. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1581 would require collection of tribal affiliation data for Native American and Alaska Native students in CalPADS to address severe undercounting and improve resource allocation. The author and tribal and education supporters said Native students are often misclassified, making it harder to provide culturally responsive programs and measure outcomes; committee members discussed how the reporting would work for multitribal and multiracial students and emphasized the need for tribal consultation and workable data definitions. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school coaches, was supported as a way to help trusted adults recognize warning signs and connect student athletes to services; it also passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1766, which would expand human trafficking prevention education from kindergarten through 12th grade and address online grooming and exploitation, received strong support from the author, survivors, and advocacy groups, with testimony emphasizing earlier prevention and digital safety; the transcript ended during support testimony and did not include final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Mark James, who's a first-year student.
• Mark Epstein. You may have seen him on TV.
• Mark Epstein. You may have seen him on TV.
• But Mark was a leader.
• And I forgot that Mark is the treasurer.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Bell, Association of Electric Companies, please come up.
• Please come up: Mark Bell, Association of Electric Companies; Mark Ward Thiesdale, Association of Mutual
• Mark Bell, Association of Electric Companies, Mark Ward Teesdale, Association of Mutual Insurance, Mark
• That's my question for Mark. Senator, I'm not sure of the answer.
• That's my question for Mark. Senator, I'm not sure of the answer.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark, you're simply the best. That's all I can say.
• Mark, you're simply the best. That's all I can say.
• Mark, you're simply the best. That's all I can say.
• Mark, you're simply the best. That's all I can say.
• Mark, you're simply the best. That's all I can say.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• April 30, pending re-referral: AB 87, Bonta; AB 507, Haney; AB 557, McKinnor; AB 610, Alvarez; AB 647, Mark
• amendments, 787, 798, 1778, 1778, 1709 with amendments, 609 with amendments, 1778 with a question mark
• April 17 marked the 50-year anniversary of the start of the Khmer Rouge.
• April 17 marked the 50-year anniversary of the start of the Khmer Rouge.
• April 17 of this year marked the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge perpetrating one of the greatest

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer honoring Pope Francis, and then proceeded through routine motions, guest introductions, and floor business. Members welcomed several groups, including youth art contest winners, local city officials for Cal Cities Week, emergency dispatchers and 9-1-1 youth heroes, a school group from Northridge Community School, and Sheriff Michael Johnson. The body also handled procedural actions such as re-referring bills, withdrawing AB 16 from Appropriations because it was no longer fiscal, and allowing committees to notice bills pending re-referral. On the floor, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 44, proclaiming April 20–26 as California Cities Week, was adopted by voice vote after opening the roll for co-authors. The Assembly then passed several bills, including AB 793 on dog dangerousness proceedings and AB 533 reauthorizing health care districts’ use of design-build for health facility construction, both by unanimous roll call. AB 764, which would add mute swans to the list of exotic non-game birds that can be legally managed, also passed unanimously. House Resolution 32, recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, drew extensive remarks from multiple members about the historical tragedy and the Cambodian American community; it was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, followed by a moment of silence. The consent calendar was then taken up and adopted 69-0, including AB 369 and a series of other bills and resolutions. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Officer Paul Philip Jordan, a longtime LAPD officer who served the Hollywood community, and the House adjourned until Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark, >> Seeing none, question been called.
• Second by Representative Johnson. >> You clear, Mark?
• Ready to vote. >> All right, Mark, if you call the roll on House Bill 61.
• Does that make sense, Mark, or am I just Does that make sense, Mark, or am I just looking<00:50:44.240
• All right, Mark, if you Ready to vote.

Bills: SF0050, SF0068, SF0084, HB0087, HB0029, HB0061, HB0090

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• c> to<00:19:04.200> the<00:19:04.320> knowledge Last, I want to say thank you to Mark
• and Melissa and Gilbert Horton Mark and Melissa and Gilbert Horton for<00:20:29.440> the<00:20
• She and Mark and Gilbert dedicated their lives to make a difference.
• She and Mark and Gilbert legacy.
• She and Mark and Gilbert dedicated<00:22:48.880> their<00:22:49.040> lives<00:22:49.960

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Wolgamott delivered a farewell address reflecting on his eight years in the Minnesota House and the meaning of public service. He described his path to the Legislature, thanked colleagues and staff, and emphasized the House as a place where members are trusted to make a difference for their communities. He also spoke about the importance of maintaining a humane, family-friendly, and respectful workplace, especially for staff and members’ families. He highlighted several policy areas he was proud of, including bipartisan COVID-19 workers’ compensation protections for frontline workers, efforts to reduce the special education cross subsidy, and changes to teacher pensions. He also noted bonding and local projects in St. Cloud, such as road improvements, the Herb Brooks Hockey Center, and the Children’s Museum of the MAC. Throughout, he framed these accomplishments as examples of persistence and collaboration across party lines. The address also included extensive thanks to his wife, daughters, legislative assistants, higher education staff, sergeant-at-arms, maintenance crew, chief clerk’s office, and former and current colleagues, including a tribute to former Speaker Melissa Hortman and the Horton family. He closed by reading the Prayer of St. Francis and thanking the people of St. Cloud and the House. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank Mark for setting this up and working with your CEO.
• Mark, please begin. Mr. Chair, members of the committee, Mark Barnes here.
• Mark, I need to cut you off for a second. I forgot a part of the introduction process.
• Okay, just want to mention thank you, Mark. Thank you, Olivia.
• Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Olivia. Thank you to the group for presenting.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first sheet is marked in yellow, and that's from the Comptroller's site, Your Rules.
• OK, the chair calls Mark Stover, Michael Pickens, and Brent Bennett.
• Mark Stover, Executive Director. of the Texas Solar and Storage Association.
• Mark Bell, if you would please come up and take your seat. You all know the drill.
• I agree with Mark, and I agree with Senator Schwertner when laying out the bill. It was...

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The CEO, Alison Oul, formerly worked for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S.
• The CEO, Alison Oul, formerly worked for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S.
• The CEO, Alison Oul, formerly worked for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S.
• The CEO, Alison Oul, formerly worked for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S.
• The CEO, Alison Oul, formerly worked for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and U.S.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our Vice Chair Paul Mark, and I will announce others as they join.
• I'd like to welcome Christina Heyman and Mark Frost. Next up, we have a panel from AAA.
• I'd like to welcome Christina Heyman and Mark Frost.
• My name is Mark Frost, and I'm a licensed driving instructor for AAA Northeast Driving School.
• Thank you, Mark and Christina. We appreciate your testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses. District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• she would bring Gilbert up and Mark she would bring Gilbert up and Mark Hortman<00:02:13.880>
• alongside Melissa and Mark alongside Melissa and Mark Help<00:03:53.080> um<00:03:53.320>
• ,<00:09:31.240> Sophie, host homes like Mark, Sophie, host homes like Mark, Sophie, and<00
• Um, this is a lovely way to honor Mark and Melissa.
• Um this is a lovely way to honor Mark Um this is a lovely way to honor Mark and<00:14:42.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the chair now calls Mark Stewart.
• Mark, we have you registered as Mark Stewart, investigator for the Texas Railroad Commission.
• Yeah, we are showing him marked against HB48, but not testifying.
• Sir, we have you marked as George Christian, registered as George Christian.
• SELF, marked against HB49, is that correct?

Bills: HB48, HB49, HB 1169, HB1971, HB2584, HB2663, HB2890, HB48, HB49

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft