Transcript Highlights:

• House Capital Budget document, the House Chair's Capital Budget document, that uses $239 million in bonds
• House Capital Budget document, the House Chair's Capital Budget document, that uses $239 million in bonds
• The significant cuts to our environmental justice programs and HEAL Act compliance will prevent DNR from
• They serve both the infant and the parent to ensure stronger bonding, which increases the success for
• We just passed a bond and are building a new early learning center where we serve WCCC, ECEAP, and TTK

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• We assisted ten land grants throughout the year with obtaining either bonds or tort liability waiver
• their dollars into fixing the system instead of paying fines for being out of compliance with environmental
• We just learned about a new entity, the Southwest Environmental Finance Center, which helps communities
• Most recently, we've engaged on a couple of issues in Taos County, being the Taoski Valley Environmental
• In particular, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is really beneficial for individual

Transcript Highlights:

• So it has a bond with Tether.
• Bonded to not just the crisis of 9-11, but many crises in your life, illuminates the kind of person you
• It's not just that; it's also the environmental aspect.
• for some sort of a tariff system like what Senator Curtis was referring to, based on the environmental
• So my request is this: it's not just DEI; it's environmental requirements, labor requirements, and so

Transcript Highlights:

• They're doing some environmental package to make sure it doesn't rust and fall apart.
• So they're testing their environmental package right now.
• </c><00:47:05.839><c> But</c> environmental package right now. But environmental package right now.
• The others, there was no restrictions because there was bond funding.
• </c> restrictions because there was bond restrictions because there was bond funding.<01:25:22.159><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was longer gaps between visits, gaps that changed my son's behavior and weakened our bond.
• situated parents, strict scrutiny with least restrictive means for material burdens on the parental-child bond
• It too often destabilizes fit-parent bonds. It fails to target real danger efficiently.
• provisions that would take effect on July 1, 2026, in the Administrative Procedure Act relating to non-environmental

Bills: HB2735, SB5868, SJM8006

Keywords: family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge

Transcript Highlights:

• can accept monies from different sources, including the general fund, special funds, GGR funds, and bond
• Dawn Kepke on behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance in support.
• On behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance in support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start of the meeting. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures were taken up with waived presentations, brief public testimony, and then moved to suspense without objection. Several bills received author presentations and discussion. SB 872 by Senator McNerney proposed a long-term funding mechanism for Delta levee and State Water Project canal repairs, with strong support from water agencies, environmental groups, and regional coalitions emphasizing flood risk, water reliability, and protection of state assets; the bill was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize, but not require, blue emergency lights on parole vehicles; supporters from the parole officers’ union cited officer safety and the death of parole agent Joshua Bird, and it too was moved to suspense. SB 950 by Senator Richardson would require coverage of FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the committee noted the estimated premium impact was minimal and voted 7-0 for due pass to the Senate floor, while asking the author to consider a sunset amendment. The committee also heard testimony on SB 1123, where the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association opposed the measure on policy grounds, but it was still sent to suspense. SB 1069 and SB 1138 drew support from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, respectively. The remaining suspense-file bills on the agenda were largely taken up in sequence with no opposition or committee questions and were moved to suspense without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• He fought for those most impacted by environmental harm.
• He fought for those most impacted by environmental harm.
• He fought for those most impacted by environmental harm.
• He led the Environmental Justice for All Act, the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation
• HE LED THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT, THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From its inception, the office was tasked with implementing the California Environmental Quality Act
• maintaining data and technology that reduce the cost and time of CEQA compliance while preserving environmental
• I'll give a quick overview of the climate bond. If that's how we would like to proceed, okay.
• So for our request on the climate bond spending proposals, you know, given the shifting landscape at
• more critical, especially in the climate and community investments being proposed under the climate bond

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• release or bail or bond for an individual<00:14:38.839><c> charged</c><00:14:39.080><c> with</c><00:
• Natural Resources Crimes Environmental Natural Resources Crimes Unit<00:45:49.960><c> Reporting</c><
• </c><00:46:07.960><c> and</c> activities of the Environmental and activities of the Environmental and
• </c> apply just like we do with environmental apply just like we do with environmental regulations,<02
• , you know, the whole way pay post a bond, you know, the whole way it<02:43:21.440><c> works.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:17.599><c> Skin</c><00:46:17.920><c> lightening</c> environmental concerns.
• Skin lightening environmental concerns.
• </c><01:30:33.040><c> and</c><01:30:33.280><c> breastfeeding</c> parent baby bonding and breastfeeding
• parent baby bonding and breastfeeding and<01:30:34.320><c> reduce</c><01:30:34.560><c> stress</c><01
• and</c><01:34:58.719><c> support</c><01:34:59.040><c> opportunities</c><01:34:59.600><c> for</c> bonding

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• They also operate a little recreational activity center, which supports mother and child bonding and
• </c><00:35:58.000><c> The</c><00:35:58.240><c> last</c> and child bonding and therapy.
• The last and child bonding and therapy.
• >> So, our quality rating and improvement system that we use is the environmental rating scales, which
• </c> system that we use is the environmental system that we use is the environmental rating<01:08:06.720

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:00:48 KOAP Report 00:01:09 Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared. The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site. The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.

Transcript Highlights:

• , with the new bonding package.
• We would be paying a separate debt for whatever we would bond with the bonding authority.
• So instead of paying 108 million on the 2003 bonds and whatever the new debt service on the new bonds
• Because the bonding authority allows for us to bond for projects as they're ready for construction.
• 320 million in severance tax bonds.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'll again, Environmental Services.
• For the record, Susan Carlson, Department of Environmental Services.
• Um the of the environmental councils.
• </c> account and now you're bonding the 5%. account and now you're bonding the 5%.
• So the from an environmental standpoint.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was known for her advocacy against government corruption and for environmental justice. Dr.
• HB 3526 by Capriglione relating to fiscal transparency for bonds issued by local...
• and accountability by ensuring taxpayers have clear, accessible information about local government bond
• HB1407 by Gann, relating to public utility agencies, providing authority to issue bonds and imposing
• Power of eminent domain, providing authority to issue bonds, and providing authority to impose taxes

Bills: HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, SB304, SB608, SB2312, SB494, SB530, HB45, HB2520, HB35, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1119, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB4042, HB4490, HB1731, HB2607, HB3689, HB1788, HB1612, HB138, HB15, HB1971, HB1338, HB2989, HB267, HB 1201, HB2954, HB5265, HB1804, HB5061, HB1520, HB1545, HJR110, HJR203, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HB245, HB1465, HB1482, HB294, HB793, HB809, HB3928, HB334, HB2037, HB1973, HB285, HB4341, HB4264, HB 1043, HB837, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 1194, HB1646, HB1729, HB2498, HB1314, HB2295, HB1353, HB1531, HB1988, HB5398, HB3960, HB3923, HB1407, HB1764, HB2221, HB2214, HB2517, HB2518, HB2213, HB5008, HB5092, HB3421, HB3663, HB3748, HB3800, HB3756, HB2613, HB3782, HB5246, HB4344, HB4044, HB4066, HB2702, HB2807, HB2869, HB2898, HB3181, HB3250, HB4153, HB2091, HB2115, HB2542, HB2768, HB3349, HB3352, HB4406, HB1593, HB1899, HB3133, HB4432, HB4960, HB3214, HB3915, HB3508, HB2145, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers innovate, invest in sustainability, and compete globally, all while meeting the highest environmental
• As you guys know, we grow with the highest standards, both environmentally and labor-wise, and so we
• Food safety, labor, and environmental rules all serve a very important purpose for the public good.
• We recognize the difficulty of balancing environmental objectives and public concerns with the practical
• involve legislation or that involve either legislation or resources, or resources either through our bond

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers innovate, invest in sustainability, and compete globally, all while meeting the highest environmental
• As you guys know, we grow with the highest standards, both environmentally and labor-wise, and so we
• Food safety, labor, and environmental rules all serve a very important purpose for the public good.
• We recognize the difficulty of balancing environmental objectives and public concerns with the practical
• changes that involve legislation or that involved either legislation or resources, either through our bond

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the state of agricultural production in California, with opening remarks from the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committee chairs and Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry emphasizing agriculture’s economic importance and the need for stronger state investment. They highlighted concerns about water scarcity, labor shortages, rising costs, extreme weather, tariffs, pesticide and regulatory pressures, and the lack of agricultural funding in recent climate-related allocations. Aguiar-Curry also urged immediate action on the glassy-winged sharpshooter outbreak, which CDFA said would cost about $18.5 million annually to detect, monitor, and eradicate. The first panel featured CDFA and the Department of Water Resources. CDFA described California agriculture as a $61.2 billion industry producing more than 400 commodities, but also noted farm bankruptcies, rising input and compliance costs, climate stress, trade issues, and crop removals in vineyards and almonds. DWR focused on hydrologic variability, snowpack decline, groundwater overdraft, subsidence, and SGMA implementation, and discussed tools such as forecast-informed reservoir operations, groundwater recharge, basin characterization, and the 2028 water plan update. Members asked about immediate legislative priorities, flood response after 2023, Prop. 4 and greenhouse gas reduction funding, and regulatory alignment; officials pointed to pest control, science-based water management, affordability, infrastructure, and better coordination across agencies. The second panel examined water, climate, and resource sustainability. PPIC presented estimates that SGMA, climate change, and environmental regulations could reduce irrigation water in the San Joaquin Valley by about 20% by 2040, potentially requiring 500,000 to 900,000 acres of fallowing and affecting billions in agricultural GDP and tens of thousands of jobs. UC Merced discussed practical adaptation tools including FIRO, managed aquifer recharge, on-farm recharge, land repurposing, agrivoltaics, and crop flexibility. The Agricultural Energy Consumers Association argued that energy costs are unsustainable, that electricity and natural gas rates are rising sharply, and that state programs supporting climate-smart agriculture, biomass, and food processing need more funding and coordination. Members and witnesses discussed how limited Prop. 4 and GGRF dollars might be used for recharge, conveyance, subsidence mitigation, and regulatory improvements. The final panel addressed workforce innovation and the future of food production. Industry representatives said food and fiber processors cannot pass along rising costs from energy, labor, workers’ compensation, packaging rules, and compliance mandates, and warned that SGMA-driven land fallowing, pest pressure, and abandoned orchards threaten small farms and processing jobs. The Almond Alliance called for periodic review of regulations, stronger invasive species response, and targeted support for orchard removal, ag burn alternatives, and water efficiency. The California Farmworker Foundation described its work providing health, education, and civil assistance services to farmworkers in multiple counties, including health navigation, field-based clinics, and food support, and stressed the needs of an aging labor force and food insecurity in rural communities. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members and witnesses discussing possible future legislation and funding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last seven years of her career were with a spin-off company as their global environmental competency
• It’s Rendered Environmental.
• On April 4, 2024, the executive director of Oklahoma's Department of Environmental Quality testified
• They had to have no permits or their state environmental agency.
• Didn't have a bond to pass to spend there, so we got the call.

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• May their work strengthen the bonds of community and help Maryland remain a home where every person can
• 00:02:37.200><c> work</c><00:02:37.360><c> strengthen</c><00:02:37.840><c> the</c><00:02:38.000><c> bonds
• </c><00:02:38.319><c> of</c> May their work strengthen the bonds of May their work strengthen the bonds
• We have Senate bond initiatives, calendar 26.
• That move so be considered the reading of bond initiatives.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The baby bonds issue is a long-term investment.
• So, what you're saying is that the baby bonds?
• Certain forms of baby bonds, depending on their state.
• On going back to baby bonds, and you answered part of it already.
• I'd love to be part of this continued discussion on payday bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• comply with equitable community engagement and public participation requirements and to conduct an environmental
• exempts from the prohibition on the assignment of benefits contractors who are registered, insured, and bonded

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met on February 25, 2026, received a staff briefing on eight bills, and discussed several proposed amendments before taking action on four measures after caucus. The briefing covered bills on insurance disclosure and wildfire risk modeling (SB 5928), travel insurance regulation (SB 6248), wildfire preparedness grants and insurance eligibility (SB 6079), insurance fraud enforcement (SB 6031), assignment of post-loss insurance benefits (SB 6178), mortgage modification safe harbors (SB 5831), real estate marketing restrictions (SB 6091), and virtual currency kiosk consumer protections (SB 5280). Members also asked about the “Beckett’s Law” title amendment and whether amendments to the virtual currency kiosk bill conflicted; staff said the amendments generally could be reconciled, though some policy differences remained. After recess, the committee deferred action on SB 5928, SB 6079, SB 6031, SB 6178, and SB 5280, and then voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 6248, the Washington Travel Insurance Act, out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Members spoke in support of the bill as a consumer protection measure and a benefit to the travel insurance industry. The committee then reported Senate Bill 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, out with a do pass recommendation after members said it would preserve mortgage priority in certain modifications and noted the bill’s title-company-supported change. The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6091, which would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to exclusive groups of buyers or brokers except for health and safety reasons. Representative Corey withdrew the amendment naming the act “Beckett’s Law,” and the committee approved the bill on a 13-1 vote with one excused member. The chair and ranking member closed by thanking committee staff for their work, and the meeting adjourned.