Transcript Highlights:

• If a STRTP receives five or more Type A citations within a 12-month period, the Department of Social
• The AAP, NIH, the CMA, CDP, CDP define children as infants under 12 months.
• And we did that on March 12, 2025, in Assembly Sub 2 and on April 3, 2025, in Senate Sub 3.
• Riverside County has recently experienced 12 foster family agency closures.
• So how is the department going to prepare for that January 1, 2027, when we lose that authority?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a STRTP receives five or more Type A citations within a 12-month period, the Department of Social
• The AAP, NIH, the CMA, CDPH, and the CDC define children as infants under 12 months.
• So this year, I introduced AB 233, which extends the indemnification provisions of AB 2496 to January
• But that authority lapses on January 1, 2027.
• So how is the department going to prepare for that January 1, 2027, when we lose that authority?

Summary: The hearing covered several child welfare, human services, tribal housing, child care, and long-term care bills. SB 1099 would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA; SB 1190 would regulate private youth transport services by requiring permits, background checks, training, and bans on blindfolds, hoods, restraints, and overnight pickups; SB 1322 would streamline tribal access to Community Care Expansion housing grants and better align the process with tribal sovereignty; SB 1109 would require an annual license renewal review for STRTPs with five or more Type A citations in a year; SB 1234 would require fentanyl testing in juvenile dependency cases when a court finds a risk of fentanyl use; SB 991 would require DSS to identify the specific type of abuse on its public licensing database; SB 1200 would redefine “infant” for family child care ratio purposes as under 18 months; and SB 1345 would strengthen foster youth rights regarding access to and dignified transport of personal belongings. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 534, SB 1410, and SB 1421. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, often from authors, advocates, county officials, and people with lived experience. Supporters of SB 1190 described traumatic youth transport practices and argued for basic safety standards. SB 1322 supporters said tribal grantees face unnecessary delays and collateral demands that conflict with sovereignty. SB 1109 drew support from county probation officers who cited repeated serious violations and public safety concerns at STRTPs, while the chair ultimately opposed the bill as duplicative of existing CDSS authority. SB 1234 drew emotional support from a grandparent who lost a child to fentanyl, but also opposition from the Drug Policy Alliance and a dependency attorney, who argued the bill was redundant, vague, and could create biased or unnecessary testing; amendments were accepted to narrow the standard. SB 991 supporters said the public needs more specific information about abuse findings, SB 1200 supporters said the change would expand infant care capacity and help working families, and SB 1345 supporters said foster youth deserve dignity rather than having belongings packed in trash bags. Votes were taken after quorum was established. SB 991, SB 1200, SB 1345, SB 1190, SB 1234, SB 1322, and SB 1099 were all reported out of committee, most on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 1234 passed 6-0 as amended to Appropriations, and SB 1099 later had a vote change recorded, ending 5-1. SB 1109 did not advance after the motion failed for lack of a second, and it was held in committee. The committee then adjourned and transitioned into an oversight hearing reviewing the outcomes of AB 2247 (placement stability and notice protections for foster youth) and AB 2496, with presenters discussing how the earlier foster youth placement law has changed practice and the importance of dignity, notice, and youth voice in placement decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leak, take up Tab 12, CS for SB 576.
• Senator Leak, take up Tab 12, CS for SB 576 on service of process.
• On pages three and four, paragraphs 12 and 15, they define transient occupancy and non-transient occupancy
• The bill before you today is the Florida version of Article 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
• this for years based on experience of 25 or so other states that have already adopted the UCC Article 12

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the governor for including. this as a proposal in his January draft budget, something
• This proposal excludes all wildfire settlements from taxation that are paid January 1, 2025 or later
• Starting on January 1st of this year, AB 3218 and SB 1230 authorized CDTFA to seize flavored tobacco.
• corresponding reimbursement to support the application development. and the hosting needs of about 12
• We are no now going to issue number 12 position authority augmentation Thank you for the Welcome.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and get started committee on Pre K through 12 education will now come to order
• member of Sergeants Office take Up Tab one presentation for Department of Education on PRE K through 12
• Florida's K 3 K 12 statewide assessment System Measure students achievement and learning gains based
• But it's used in the early learning space not in the K to K 12 space.
• Think about how the P k a vpk performance in Effects K 12 bite and then we think about K 12 teaching

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:02.160> We<00:12:02.320> are<00:12:02.560> also<00:12:02.959> addressing
• We are also addressing I think the<00:12:04.240> 17<00:12:04.800> districts<00:12:05.279
• <00:12:28.240> projects<00:12:29.040> is<00:12:29.279> to<00:12:29.440> be
• <00:12:32.959> If<00:12:33.120> they<00:12:33.360> have<00:12:33.519> been
• If they have been, then we<00:12:34.079> need<00:12:34.160> to<00:12:34.320> sunset<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 500 Discussion 00:01:50 HB 500 Vote 00:38:40 HB 504 Discussion 00:41:45 HB 504 Vote 00:47:00, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met to consider House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, and House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget bill. The chair explained that the committee substitute for HB 500 was a starting point in the budget process and that a committee amendment was needed to correct a numbers discrepancy. The amendment to PHS1 was adopted, and the committee then adopted HB 500 as amended, with one no vote and several passes; the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voted to roll the committee amendment into PHS1 so it would be considered as a single unified version. The chair gave a broad overview of HB 500, describing funding for statewide costs, a 2% salary increase in each fiscal year for executive branch employees and elected officials, and broad percentage cuts of 4% in FY27 and 3% in FY28 with many exemptions. He highlighted funding changes for education, Medicaid, health insurance for state and school employees, public safety, corrections, health and family services, postsecondary education, fire programs, tourism and parks, and several capital projects. He also noted language changes or removals that were intended to clean up the bill rather than eliminate programs, and said some items were held steady or fully funded based on current estimates. Members asked about SEEK transportation funding, the budget reserve trust fund, and why Medicaid benefits were funded below the governor’s request. The chair said the reserve included general fund and Department of Insurance restricted funds as a safeguard, with some of that money available if Medicaid costs exceed expectations. He said Medicaid benefits were held flat at FY26 levels because eligibility and utilization have declined, but the committee added reporting requirements and oversight to monitor trends. A member expressed appreciation for the SEEK increase and KEPH stability, while another voted no on HB 500 because they were still reviewing the document and believed some items were missing. The chair then said the committee would move on to HB 504, but no action on that bill is included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• the statutory debt limit by $5 trillion after Congress reinstated the limit at $36.1 trillion in January
• Effective for renewals scheduled on or after January 1st, 2026, it requires states to conduct Medicaid
• activity bond financing threshold from 50% to 25%, and for the 9% credits, it makes permanent. the 12%
• The following are effective January 2027 requires states to implement quarterly screening to review the
• So for so this is effective on January 2027 for states to obtain contact information and October 1st

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by an industry-led Board of Directors, 37 in total, that represents all the tourism segments and all 12
• Before January, our projection showed that finally tourism would go back to pre-pandemic levels, and
• But unfortunately, since January, we've seen that international travelers continue to decrease to Santa
• But unfortunately, since January, we've seen that the international travelers continue to decrease to
• They'd been working, and then come January with some of the rhetoric, their editors said, for all three

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• On November 12, 2025, Congress passed a continuing appropriations act, fully funding the program through
• work and hear from testimony from the witnesses and the panels, and we start our conversations in January
• that they or someone in their household reduced meals or cut back on food to save money in the last 12
• that they or someone in their household reduced meals or cut back on food to save money in the last 12
• In January, we ran out of money.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have a few items from the Department of Education, some proposals from the January 8 budget
• and recommendations for how to improve and streamline California's curriculum guidance process by January
• The study will be delivered by January 1, 2027. Okay, so yeah, 18 months.
• In contrast, the K-12 setting involves formal identification of English learners, or EL students, with
• Identification involves conversation and information gathering from parents, and in K-12 there is an

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget proposals focused on education finance, with repeated questions about whether the state’s investments are coordinated, targeted to the highest-need students, and likely to produce measurable results. On the first item, the administration proposed $1 million for a study of California’s curriculum framework, standards, and instructional materials process, plus $250,000 for supplemental ELA/ELD guidance. CDE and Finance said the study would examine how other states organize standards, frameworks, and adoptions, while the chair and members questioned why California has gone so long without updating some standards, what the study would actually accomplish, and whether the proposal was too vague to justify the cost. The issue was held open. The committee then took up a proposed $25 million statewide literacy network within the system of support. CCEE and CDE said the network would coordinate multiple existing literacy leads, create a clearinghouse of evidence-based resources, and improve coherence across the state’s many literacy initiatives. Members pressed on how a one-time, five-year allocation could support a long-term system, how the work would reach distressed and rural districts, and whether the proposal would translate into classroom change rather than just another layer of coordination. The issue was also held open. Next, the committee reviewed a $500 million proposal to expand literacy coaches and reading specialists and to create a math coaches program. CDE described the existing literacy coach cohorts as producing positive reports from participating LEAs, while the LAO recommended modifications, especially for the math coach portion, including limiting eligibility to elementary schools, setting minimum grant amounts, directing funds to eligible school sites, and making eligibility automatic rather than application-based. Members focused on whether coaches were actually being placed at the schools with the greatest need and whether the state has a coherent long-term strategy for literacy and math investments. The committee also heard a $40 million proposal for training and implementation of K-2 reading difficulty screeners, which the LAO said was reasonable but could be reduced because $25 million had already been provided for training; CDE said the new funds were needed for full implementation, procurement, and sustainability. Finally, the committee heard a $10 million proposal for a developmentally appropriate TK multilingual learner screener, with CDE explaining why the preschool language-identification process is different from K-12 EL assessment and the chair asking staff to explore whether a single, more consistent approach could be developed. The meeting concluded with a presentation on universal school meals and kitchen infrastructure, including a $31.5 million backfill, an $84.1 million increase for projected meal growth, a COLA adjustment, and $150 million for kitchen upgrades and training to support freshly prepared meals.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:16.800> majority<00:12:17.560> is<00:12:17.800> required<00:12:18.279
• > a<00:12:19.399> local<00:12:19.800> tax<00:12:20.360> cap<00:12:21.360>
• 12:40.720> annual<00:12:41.120> meeting<00:12:41.560> for<00:12:41.959> all
• articles<00:12:43.839> that<00:12:44.160> have<00:12:44.440> a<00:12:44.680
• > the<00:12:47.040> tax<00:12:47.519> effort<00:12:48.040> is<00:12:48.199><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For Friday, January 16, 2026.
• for Friday, January 16, 2026. for Friday, January 16, 2026.
• Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. Tuesday, January 20th, 2026.
• return back to these chambers on January return back to these chambers on January 20th<00:40:33.760
• January 20th, year of our Lord, 2026. January 20th, year of our Lord, 2026.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, called the roll, excused absent members, and approved the prior day’s journal. The clerk then reported second-reading bills, including measures on a residential safe room rebate program, planning commission membership, dual credit scholarship programs, missing persons, school transportation, and behavioral health conditional dismissal, which were referred to the Rules Committee. New bills and resolutions were also introduced, including Senate Bill 103 on prescription drugs and Senate Resolution 44 recognizing Kentucky Arts Day. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 7, which would allow county officials in counties without permanent regional licensing offices to handle driver’s license renewals and duplicates, including Real ID renewals, with a $25 fee on top of the existing license cost. Supporters argued the bill would reduce long drives, long lines, missed work and school, and restore local access and accountability; several members described it as a necessary but imperfect starting point and noted rural residents were especially burdened by the current system. Opponents or skeptics said the bill was only a band-aid, raised concerns about implementation and whether the executive branch should fix the issue administratively, and some noted they would prefer a stronger statewide solution. After extended debate and several questions about fees, online renewals, and the bill’s limited scope, the Senate voted on SB 7. The bill passed 34-1. Following passage, the Senate recessed briefly for Rules Committee and Committee on Committees meetings, then received committee reports referring additional bills and posting several measures for future consideration. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 43, honoring Graville Reed Jr., and announced it would not meet on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the next session scheduled for Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• are no longer in Senate Bill 12.
• President, those are the negotiated items and the legislation for Senate Bill 12.
• The process starting in January really never stops.
• In late January, we go for three weeks solid.
• He had gone to $12 million. We settled at $10 million.

Bills: SB27, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB30, SB37, SB260, SB268, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB650, SB763, SB1405, SB1506, SB1540, SB1566, SB1610, SB1637, SB1660, SB2018, SB2024, SB2217, SB2308, SB2337, SB2601, SB2753, SB2878, SB2900, SB2972, SB3059, HB4, HB40, HB46, HB119, HB145, HB300, HB493, HB705, HB1545, HB2011, HB2017, HB2067, HB2516, HB2885, HB2963, HB2974, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3642, HB3909, HB5138, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, SR634, SR687, SR703, SR709, SR715, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, HB46, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB37, SB260, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB763, SB1405, SB1540, SB1566, SB2018, SB2308, SB2337, SB2878, SB3059, HB705, HB2017, HB2067, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3909, HB5246

Keywords: elections, local governance, political subdivisions, general elections, Texas Election Code, data brokers, personal data, regulation, business entities, consumer protection, financial exploitation, artificial intelligence, phishing, legal liability, criminal offense, civil penalty, foreign language, study abroad, higher education, language credit

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:12:25.200> I<00:12:25.440> had<00:12:25.600> no<00:12:25.839> idea
• that one<00:12:26.560> day<00:12:26.800> he'd<00:12:27.040> be<00:12:27.200>
• :35.760> 2020<00:12:36.399> moved<00:12:36.639> to<00:12:36.800> DC<00:12
• <00:12:38.959> He<00:12:39.200> is<00:12:39.279> a<00:12:39.519> founding
• This Pride<02:12:06.239> Month,<02:12:06.719> I<02:12:06.880> hope<02:12:07.040>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240> rule<03:12:00.479> of<03:12:00.640> law,<03:12:01.120> and<03:12
• as<03:12:03.359> chairman<03:12:03.680> of<03:12:03.840> the<03:12:03.920><
• <03:12:07.439> I<03:12:07.680> want<03:12:07.760> to<03:12:07.840> thank<
• bipartisan<03:12:17.200> support<03:12:17.840> and<03:12:18.000> I<03:12:18.319>
• colleagues<03:12:18.960> to<03:12:19.200> join<03:12:19.439> in<03:12:19.680>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin's relationship with Timothy Hale Cusinelli, a January 6 rioter and a Nazi sympathizer.
• In August of 2023, he excused violence by January 6th rioters saying, quote, we have to have less. judgment
• He called prosecutors who handled the January 6th cases despicable.
• On this vote, the ayes are 12, the nays are 10. We'll be favorably reported.

Keywords: committee meeting, nominations, Brett Shumate, John Eisenberg, Mr. Martin, Department of Justice, political bias, law enforcement

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on the nominations of Brett Shumate and John Eisenberg for significant positions within the Department of Justice. Notable discussions arose over recent public disclosures that questioned the integrity of the nomination process, particularly surrounding Mr. Martin, a candidate whose past comments and associations have raised concerns among committee members. Tensions flared as members addressed potential biases and the implications of Martin’s statements regarding law enforcement and political groups. The meeting concluded with several committee members advocating for more thorough scrutiny of nominations to ensure the integrity of the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a 98.5% increase from January 1st Texas. That's a 98.5% increase from January 1st of 2020.
• So I just grabbed a handful since January.
• And then also in the H.B. 12 for children.
• And then also in the H.B. 12 implementation of the postpartum, 12 months coverage that was, we had written
• They took another two years, eight months, and 12 days.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• 12 drone teams, and we're still growing.
• We've been in 12 different counties, most of your constituencies here.
• We've been in 12 different counties, most of your constituencies here.
• So does the 12 FTEs make up the $1.2 million?”
• I think you mentioned $38 million for 12 aircraft, fixed and rotary.

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• > but<01:12:07.440> but<01:12:07.760> still<01:12:08.320> I<01:12:08.640>
• > like<01:12:11.920> in<01:12:12.159> a<01:12:12.320> in<01:12:12.560>
• > fiscal<01:12:13.360> year,<01:12:14.320> you<01:12:14.480> know,<01:12:
• > base<01:12:20.800> it<01:12:20.880> on<01:12:21.120> what<01:12:21.280>
• <01:12:22.719> Right<01:12:22.960> now,<01:12:23.600> it'd<01:12:23.840>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• 12:39.680> broad<00:12:40.079> language<00:12:40.639> used<00:12:40.959> in
• <00:12:45.040> have<00:12:45.200> the<00:12:45.360> power<00:12:45.519> to
• > whatever<00:12:46.160> they<00:12:46.399> want<00:12:46.560> to<00:12:46.720
• :48.399> do<00:12:48.480> to<00:12:48.720> conduct<00:12:49.120> business.
• Courts<00:12:50.240> have<00:12:50.480> used<00:12:50.720> that<00:12:50.959>

Keywords: 1183, house