Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3745 addresses a gap in the crime victims compensation program by ensuring timely support for the
• HB 35 3745 removed specific restrictions on emergency compensation.
• This bill does not expand eligibility for the Crime Victims Compensation Program.
• It does not increase the overall amount of compensation availability.

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Next measure is HB480 HD1 SD1, relating to workers compensation.
• measure is HB480 HD1 SD1 relating to measure is HB480 HD1 SD1 relating to workers<00:25:35.840> compensation
• workers compensation. workers compensation.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda and repeatedly recommended passage of measures, most either unamended or with technical or date-deferral amendments. Early items included HB 496, which was passed with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050, and HB 700, which was passed with amendments incorporating Alzheimer’s Association language on dementia data collection, standardized cognitive assessments, Medicare Part C, and related definitions. Other bills addressed insurance, health care preceptors, workers’ compensation, labeling, rural emergency hospitals, and numerous budget or policy measures later in the agenda. Several bills received substantive amendment packages. HB 250 was amended to add an objective on treatments for common chronic or long-term conditions and to clarify that automating determinations is intended to reduce delays in patient care. HB 303 adopted Hawaii Pharmacist Association language clarifying the definition of a nationally accredited pharmacy residency program. HB 1179 was amended to adopt Department of Human Services language relating to Med-QUEST. Later, HB 1293 added a $250,000 cap, a $20 million general-fund appropriation for Department of Education food services, and procurement-reporting language; HB 1153 authorized transfers of various non-general-fund accounts to the general fund and added a blank appropriation for the governor’s office; and HB 1168 added a proviso to a revenue bond appropriation to help in-state residents with demonstrated financial need offset room-and-board increases. The most notable debate was on HB 1308, a sports wagering bill. Members discussed regulatory structure, youth sports restrictions, tax and fee provisions, and gambling-prevention funding. Several members opposed the bill, citing family impacts, gambling addiction concerns, and the possibility that regulatory and social costs would outweigh revenues; others supported it with reservations. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted, with recorded no votes and reservations. Across the agenda, most remaining bills were adopted with little or no discussion, including many measures passed unamended and several with deferred effective dates or committee-report notes reflecting testimony or appropriation requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the amendment language adopted into the bill, this grant program is now narrowly focused on compensation
• With the amendment language adopted into the bill, this grant program is now narrowly focused on compensation
• that this grant would help to improve our workforce within home health care, and it would help to compensate
• that this grant would help to improve our workforce within home health care, and it would help to compensate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:57.119> and employees, employee compensation and employees, employee compensation and
• of categories of things that would be included in the members' base compensation.
• <03:17:54.800> and compensation and compensation and um um um added<03:17:59.760> a<03:
• <03:18:04.080> And<03:18:04.239> then<03:18:04.479> it's base compensation.
• And then it's base compensation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if the problem that we are solving is that the compensation is too low and they cannot hire, wouldn't
• Thank you for coming, Miss Burns. compensation or even pass on hiring compensation or even pass on hiring
• <00:30:46.960> is<00:30:47.120> too solving is that the compensation is too solving
• is that the compensation is too low<00:30:47.519> and<00:30:47.679> they<00:30:47.799>
• They couldn't get unemployment compensation because they'd get fired from jobs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and dependency and indemnity compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary.
• Over 500,000 survivors like Sherry received dependency and indemnity compensation from VA.
• RDIC is a monthly compensation for VA.
• And I hope to appeal to my colleagues' morality when I say that increasing compensation to survivors
• And I hope to appeal to my colleagues' morality when I say that increasing compensation to survivors

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But here's the thing: I sat on the Victim's Compensation Board when I was working for Governor Brown.
• , at a minimum, compensated something for what's been done to them through no fault of their own.
• Because if you were involved in the crime yourself, you're not entitled to victims' compensation services
• And we felt very strongly they should be compensated for ...through no fault of their own.
• And we felt very strongly they should be compensated for some of their injuries.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was no compensation for us in taking that.
• But to get good people to represent the people, you have to somewhat compensate them.
• So I think, again, to reiterate, they don't have to take it, but they can get compensated for doing it
• All we're asking is to get compensated for what we work.
• And look, we're not getting compensated for that.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill removes local authority over one of the largest components of employee compensation
• He said the bill removes local authority over one of the largest components of employee compensation
• He said the bill removes local authority over one of the largest components of employee compensation
• compensation while leaving school<00:17:42.559> boards<00:17:43.039> responsible<00:17
• You know why this health care is so part of compensation is beyond me.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of compensation, we are asking for an increase equivalent to state agencies.
• My second question is about compensation for higher education. I know I wanted to work at CNM.
• We allow our higher education institutions to make the determination of compensation levels.
• Are they compensated, or how does that work with the Office of Cybersecurity as.
• Chairman, the Office of Cybersecurity, are they compensated at all?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law only allows El Paso Electric to use net metering to compensate distributed renewable customers
• This bill will give the PUC the flexibility to consider other compensation methods for the El Paso utility
• , ensure system reliability, and fair compensation for distributed renewable generation owners.
• House Bill 912, relating to the compensation of a distributed renewable generation owner in certain areas
• House Bill 912, relating to the compensation of a distributed renewable generation owner in certain areas

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you say each employer shall affiliate with a deferred compensation plan, I think maybe affiliate
• <02:00:08.639> plan<02:00:09.040> also PAR's deferred compensation plan also PAR's
• deferred compensation plan also with<02:00:09.840> pre-tax<02:00:10.320> and<02:00:10.560
• So when you say each employer shall affiliate with a deferred compensation plan, I think maybe affiliate
• affiliate with a deferred compensation affiliate with a deferred compensation plan,<02:03:29.280

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do think at some point there has to be some compensation for how these models learned.
• Why shouldn't that something get compensation?
• to use a voice or likeness, actual or digitally generated, across all media with no additional compensation
• It's about protecting against the exploitation of individuals without their knowledge or fair compensation
• exemptions for workplace safety language within this, which may help a little bit on the workers' compensation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So have you compensated for that somehow? People in rural or underserved areas.
• So have you compensated for that somehow in what you're doing? So, a couple of things with that.
• Regions to ensure that the rural regions are compensated for, you know, the additional resources it often
• And so we are compensating by expanding our funding to food banks.
• We are compensating by expanding our funding to food banks because they could fill the gaps where they

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the survey is there was limited response from people in rural or underserved areas, so have you compensated
• So have you compensated for that somehow in what you're doing? So a couple of things with that.
• for, you know, Regions to ensure that the rural regions are compensated for, you know, the additional
• And so we are compensating by expanding our funding to food banks.
• We are compensating by expanding our funding to food banks because they could fill the gaps where they

Summary: The committee held an inaugural hearing on the health care and support needs of older LGBTQ Californians, with members and witnesses emphasizing that this population has made major gains in rights and longevity but still faces discrimination, isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in services. Opening remarks highlighted concerns about older LGBTQ people entering nursing homes and feeling forced back into the closet, as well as the growing number of Californians aging with HIV. The hearing was structured into three panels, with public testimony considered if time allowed. The first panel focused on the overall health and support landscape. Justice in Aging described survey findings showing discrimination, poor health, difficulty with errands, and economic insecurity among older LGBTQ Californians, and warned that federal Medicaid cuts and broader federal actions could worsen access to home- and community-based services and culturally competent care. CalHHS and the Department of Aging described the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide LGBTQIA older adult survey, and efforts to support gender-affirming care, PACE, care management, and community supports. Witnesses stressed the need for better outreach, data collection, and a “no wrong door” approach so people can more easily find and access services. The chair and senators pressed the departments on how survey findings are being translated into concrete action and how state agencies are coordinating across silos. The second panel addressed health care for seniors living with HIV. A longtime survivor described severe financial and benefits consequences from a federal clawback and argued that California needs stronger legal, navigation, and housing supports, including HIV-specific housing funding. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, saying it has educated area agencies on aging, added HIV data to planning tools, and found that 20 of 33 area agencies identified HIV as a target population, with 16 including specific strategies. The Office of AIDS outlined Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, a Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and that local case managers are expected to coordinate whole-person care. Case managers and advocates said housing, food, transportation, mental health, and premium assistance remain major needs, and senators asked whether future ADAP rebate funds could support navigation, housing, and other gap-filling services. The final panel turned to transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex seniors. The Department of Social Services described protections under SB 219, including nondiscrimination notices, resident rights postings, required records for preferred names and pronouns, and annual inspections of licensed facilities. The Department of Public Health and a TransLatin Coalition leader were introduced to discuss additional supports for TGI seniors. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the themes of visibility, coordination, and implementation, asking departments to follow up on how they will better connect services, improve outreach, and ensure that existing laws and programs are actually reaching the people they are meant to serve.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the ability to keep pace with local government compensation, recruitment and retention becomes
• Right now, court-appointed attorney compensation is simply not competitive with similar positions in
• So this proposal would increase the Supreme Court attorney compensation rate to $180 per hour, helping
• It's amazing to dedicate themselves professionally at this rate of compensation; it's pretty outrageous
• I think it's primarily compensation, but it's also because there is a shortage of attorneys.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this provides... ...compensation for young people who have received this.
• don't realize it, they don't discover it, or they don't get the courage to step up and seek civil compensation
• This only allows a person to receive compensation if they can show harm. They have to show harm.
• And, hey, if somebody's harmed, they deserve compensation. Thank you. Thank you.
• Final discussion. ...somebody's harmed they deserve compensation. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: SB1092, SB1094, SB1139, SB1239, SB1240, SB1248, SB1326, SB1502, SB1512, SB1540, SB1616, SB1635, SB1669, SB1673

Keywords: probation, dangerous crimes, children, Arizona Revised Statutes, criminal justice, juvenile offenses, rehabilitation, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, family court, therapeutic intervention, expert testimony, parenting time, child development, sex offenders, statute of limitations, prosecution

Transcript Highlights:

• approval, potentially violating board statutes requiring the board to set the executive director's compensation
• I was just wondering if, because of the lack of compensation, regular compensation, salary, that's part
• minor children enrolled in the Arizona Long-Term Care System, including DDD members, to receive compensation
• And then finally, an increase in utilization of attendant care services, which parents can be compensated
• responsibilities and that all minor DDD members who qualify for attendant care should be... ...compensated

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So our average active member earns an average compensation of $56,990.
• Now for our purposes, average compensation is salary plus fringe benefits, so this is not the average
• This is their total compensation that they pay into TrS.
• Our members contribute 7% of their regular annual compensation, that's salary plus fringe benefits, to
• You may not have this at hand, but do you know what the median compensation versus the average for the

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We recommend advancing compensation parity between early learning educators and transitional kindergarten
• welcoming adult in the classroom, where they have access to toys and materials, where the teachers are compensated
• We need more investment in facilities, more investment in training, compensation.
• So facilities, we need more investment in facilities, more investment in training, compensation.
• We compensate people $5 for their participation. Let's move on to the next slide, please.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its third hearing, focused on how transitional kindergarten (TK) fits into California’s mixed-delivery early learning system, with an emphasis on the Central Valley. Opening remarks stressed that TK and child care should complement each other, not compete, and that families need both part-day school-based options and full-day, year-round care. Committee members outlined hearing goals around aligning TK with existing programs, understanding family needs, and examining the economic impact of early learning on workforce participation and local economies. Panelists from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Every Child California, Early Edge, Children Now, and others described TK’s rapid expansion to all four-year-olds, the growth in enrollment, and related changes to state preschool and after-school programs. Witnesses generally supported TK but warned that its expansion has shifted enrollment away from community-based providers, especially centers and family child care homes, creating financial strain, vacant classrooms, and staffing challenges. They urged stronger partnerships between school districts and community providers, more flexible licensing and facilities support, higher and more uniform reimbursement rates, permanent authority for state preschool to serve two-year-olds, and better compensation and training for educators across settings. Parents and providers testified about the importance of trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive care, the need for infant-toddler and home-based options, and the difficulty of affording child care when TK is not full-day or does not fit family schedules. Several speakers emphasized that many families still face long waits for subsidies and that reimbursement and payment delays threaten provider stability. Public comment echoed these concerns, with providers calling for true cost-of-care rates, more vouchers, support for transportation and nontraditional hours, and protection from insurance and facility costs that can force programs to close. State education officials said California’s UPK system works best when TK, state preschool, Head Start, and community-based providers are treated as a shared system, and noted that planning and implementation grants and local coordination efforts have helped build mixed-delivery partnerships. The hearing ended without formal votes or actions, but committee members indicated they would continue gathering input to inform future policy and budget decisions.