Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair opens up for any questions. The Chair opens up public testimony and calls John Wilkerson.
• We'll open up public testimony on House Bill 144.
• ...left open currently in the bill.
• We'll open up for public testimony on House Bill 145.
• If not, we are going to open up public testimony.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to Uh so this is open and shut.
• I those are really the primary reasons.
• So, it leaves open that definition.
• Would you be open to it be all right?
• </c> one relationship with one primary one relationship with one primary caregiver<03:13:13.600><c> for

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Texas remains open for business.
• What made y'all open that investigation?
• We're not doing closed-door this hearing, which is open-door, open to the public, filmed and streamed
• And so I think that is still an open question.
• I think the best way to do that is to allow for free and open communication in an open meeting so they

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll keep that open for others to add on.
• We'll keep that open for others to add on.
• I have to have a button I press to open a gate. The gate then opens.
• Someone has to stand there to open the door.
• In an emergency, though, the doors must always stay open.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's one: to be able to attract students and open that no-wrong-door opportunity.
• That is a primary focus.
• Is that already happening when these grants open up?
• So we're going to keep this roll open item open.
• So we're going to keep this roll-open item open. Any of the questions from my colleagues?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s new Career Education Master Plan and related budget items. Labor Secretary Knox described the plan as an effort to reduce fragmentation across K-12, community colleges, workforce boards, and other systems by improving statewide and regional coordination, data sharing, skills-based hiring, career pathways, and wraparound supports such as child care, housing, food, and transportation. Members asked how success would be measured, how the plan would serve disconnected youth and adults, and whether the proposed data integration would rely on Cradle to Career; the secretary said it would. The Department of Finance said it was available to answer questions on the education side. The committee then reviewed existing CTE funding and oversight. The LAO, CDE, and Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office described the major ongoing programs, including CTIG, Perkins, K-12 Strong Workforce, and Community College Strong Workforce, and noted that many programs overlap in purpose and administration. Members repeatedly raised concerns about duplication, annual applications and reporting burdens, lack of clear outcome metrics, and whether funding incentives should be better aligned to regional collaboration. CDE and the Chancellor’s Office said they support alignment and dual enrollment, and Finance and CDE said LCFF/local match dollars are part of the funding structure. The committee also discussed child care as a barrier to participation and the need for better tracking of enrollment, completion, and job outcomes. On the consolidated application proposal, Finance proposed a study directing CDE to examine whether three long-standing CTE grant programs—Specialized Secondary Programs, CTIG, and California Partnership Academies—could be streamlined into a single application and reporting process. The LAO supported reducing administrative burden but noted that the largest programs, CTIG and K-12 Strong Workforce, were excluded from the proposal even though districts most often cite them as burdensome. CDE said it did not oppose the study but warned that statutory differences may limit consolidation. Members said the proposal should better address regional coordination, multi-year funding stability, and outcome measures rather than only simplifying paperwork. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a $5 million ongoing California Education Interagency Council. GovOps said the council would provide a neutral venue for statewide coordination across education and workforce systems. The LAO opposed the proposal, arguing that existing bodies already provide coordination, the proposal does not change agency incentives, and the council would lack authority to implement decisions. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a coordinating body and others questioning whether it would differ from past efforts. No votes were taken during the portions summarized here, and the committee indicated it would hold some items open for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators and guests in the gallery, please rise for the opening prayer.
• Montero specializes in primary care sports medicine.
• He published an op-ed in support of open-carry campus laws.
• And when we open the door to any other constitutional method, what... ...open the door to any other constitutional
• Clerk will open up the board and vote on the amendment.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does three primary things.
• Yeah, I'll stop there, and we'll be open to questions.
• Our primary concern with this bill was subsection E. It appears that that may be being addressed.
• opening, I led with that it's not really my job to worry about them.
• I always want to be an open book, an open door. That's my policy.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, we can open up our white binders here. Behind tab 3, we'll get to 356.
• Some of the highlights again for FY25: we were very successful in running both a primary and a general
• Both a primary and a general election, we managed the replacement.
• The first is the $2.1 million Section 6, which even covers our primary election shortfalls.
• I can't get into the details now in open session, but rest assured it does include CYFD.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This guy opens the door for us, Bob. He opens the door for all of us.
• A primary leg through the insurance company is what I always referred to as a broomstick and a 2x4 because
• Uh Uh Uh a<00:08:25.280><c> primary</c><00:08:25.840><c> leg</c> a primary leg a primary leg through<

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:11 Discussion SB 97 01:06 Vote SB 97 12:42 Discussion SB 189 14:11 Vote SB 189 18:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, how can we enforce it on somebody just because they happen to be open?
• You know, how can we enforce it on somebody just because they happen to be open?
• And we didn't think that was a secondary type thing in regards to fiscal notes; they have to have a primary
• And we didn't think that was a secondary type thing in regards to fiscal notes; they have to have a primary
• And we didn't think that was a secondary type thing in regards to fiscal notes; they have to have a primary

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The vagueness of language in section two regarding the allotment of funds opens taxpayers up to funding
• no interest in creating other care options for pregnant women, but rather in making abortion the primary
• The authority's primary mode for facilitating projects must be through partnerships with transmission
• And if on-deck folks make their way to the front, there's open seats in the front row. Thank you.
• The Northwest primary transmission builder, the Bonneville Power Administration, has been very slow to

Bills: HB2747

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a reminder, primary witnesses and support must be those accompanying the author who otherwise
• have a support letter on file and the primary witnesses must have an opposition letter on file.
• Seeing no further primary witnesses in support.
• who is eligible so currently only charter schools are eligible and since fewer charter schools are opening
• New charters opened and we get fewer applications. Okay. Thanks.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the primary drivers is electricity costs.
• And one of the primary drivers is electricity costs.
• And so I'm excited that Minnesota is going out there saying we're open for plug-in solar.
• And so I'm excited that Minnesota is going out there saying we're open for plug-in solar.
• And so I'm excited that Minnesota is going out there saying we're open for plug-in solar.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an announcement and support event for a Minnesota plug-in solar bill led by Rep. Larry Craft and Sen. Rob Coop. Craft described plug-in solar as a way to expand access to affordable solar for renters, people with shaded or unsuitable roofs, and others who cannot install traditional rooftop systems. He said the bill would define plug-in solar devices as up to 1,200 watts, allow storage, require certification to UL 3700 safety standards, and exempt these devices from utility interconnection agreements and submetering requirements. Sen. Coop said he was excited to sign on after hearing from a constituent interested in deck solar and after learning Craft already had a bill. He framed the proposal as both an affordability measure and a way to democratize solar access, especially for lower-income households and apartment residents. Supporters including Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar said interest in plug-in solar is statewide, the policy would lower barriers and energy bills, and the systems are simple, safe, and well-suited to small spaces like balconies, decks, patios, and yards. John Gouki, an electrician from Duluth, submitted a statement supporting the bill on safety and resilience grounds, saying 1,200 watts is a safe limit for UL-listed plug-in solar and that the systems can provide backup power while reducing grid consumption. Craft and Coop also pointed to examples from other places, including Utah and Germany, as evidence that the technology is already spreading. The event ended with expressions of support and enthusiasm for moving the bill forward; no vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please open the queue for a vote. Eaves, you want to change your vote?
• Seeing no debate, staff, please open the queue for a vote. You can vote yes.
• Seeing no debate, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the cue for a vote. Bear with us for technical difficulties.
• Staff, please open the cue for a vote.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• email, that this was something that was actually valid or mail, that this is something they should open
• And so this was modeled, like I said in my opening statement, after a very successful program, because
• This was modeled, like I said in my opening statement, after a very successful program, because we did
• Now, members of the committee, I open up for questions. Senator Grayson.
• to open right across my district office, right kind of between our sort of K-3 and 4-8 schools, and

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue-related bills. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, and utility costs. Supporters argued it would help families struggling with affordability, while opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and CTA members, said California’s tax system already provides relief and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenue and harm schools. After extended debate, the bill was put on call and later failed on a 1-4 vote, though reconsideration was granted. SB 1287, by Senator Retado, would create a performance-based tax credit for short-line rail investments; supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural access, while opponents preferred direct grants. The bill was placed on call and later passed 5-0 to Transportation. SB 1407, by Senator Archuleta, would exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefits from state taxes; the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said it would help retain veterans and their economic contributions in California, while CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The bill passed 5-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1349, by Senator Gonzalez, would direct the LAO to review major tax expenditures for effectiveness and impacts on schools and the budget; CTA and CTRA supported it as a way to increase accountability, and it passed 4-1 to Governmental Organization. SB 1120, by Senator McNerney, would extend the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and make credits refundable for certain strategic industries; business and industry witnesses said this would help startups and manufacturers monetize credits and attract investment, and it passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1275, also by Senator McNerney, proposed converting the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden; the LAO provided technical testimony, and the bill passed 4-0 to Transportation. The committee also heard SB 1078, by Senator Laird, to let Santa Cruz County voters consider a temporary local tax increase for health and safety-net services, but it was put on call. Later, the committee returned to SB 1314, by Senator Min, addressing youth tobacco and illicit smoke shop sales, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• After all that, I'm unable to provide maternal and primary health care for my community.
• After all that, I'm unable to provide maternal and primary health care for my community.
• OB unit would have been able to remain open for our residents.
• health care open.
• health care open.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My door is always open.
• Chair, I thought we were adding primary before jurisdiction.
• </c><00:57:03.680><c> before</c> thought uh we were adding primary before thought uh we were adding primary
• This has been an eye-opening experience for me.
• We appreciate her openness to continue talking as this moves forward.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> board, affordability has been a primary board, affordability has been a primary concern.<00:15:10.639
• </c> Now, as President Thompson said in his opening comments, we've heard from a number of stakeholders
• They were getting more money per student head even though it takes X amount of money to open up every
• </c><00:30:00.960><c> up</c><00:30:01.200><c> every</c> takes x amount of money to open up every takes
• Uh, the primary indicator that we use to measure higher education costs is the higher education price

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fifth and final Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education meeting, but did not initially have a quorum and approved the minutes later when enough members were present. The Council on Postsecondary Education, represented by President Aaron Thompson and Vice President Bill Payne, opened with condolences for the UPS crash victims and then presented higher education budget recommendations for the 2026-2028 biennium. Thompson emphasized the return on investment from state support for higher education, citing gains in retention, enrollment, persistence, graduation, reduced time to degree, lower student debt, and expanded dual credit participation, while noting that affordability and access remain priorities. Payne outlined CPE’s operating funds request, including $43.3 million in the first year and $86.6 million in the second year for inflation adjustments, plus $30 million and $45 million for performance funding. He said the inflation request would apply across the board to institutions to offset rising costs, and that the KSU land grant match would not need additional funding because the state has already met the matching requirement. He also explained that state support for educating students has not kept pace with inflation over time, creating pressure on institutional budgets and tuition, though tuition increases have been held to historic lows in recent years. A major portion of the discussion focused on the performance funding model and how it affects smaller institutions. CPE proposed two approaches to address institutions that have received little or no performance funding, especially Kentucky State University and Morehead State University. The first approach would create a $20 million minimum distribution pool, providing $1.95 million to each university and $4.4 million to KCTCS, with the goal of giving smaller and rural institutions a base level of support. The second approach would provide direct appropriations totaling a little over $5.6 million to Kentucky State, Morehead State, and five community colleges that have not been receiving performance funding. Members, especially Representative Tipton and Senator West, questioned how the model had treated small schools over time, and CPE officials explained that the original small school adjustment was not large enough to prevent KSU and Morehead from effectively being left out of the distribution. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:34.320><c> to</c> I don't know if you are open to I don't know if you are open to questions
• They opened the door and they said, "Keep your head down."
• </c><00:51:52.920><c> care,</c> experiencing shortages in primary care, experiencing shortages in primary
• ,</c><01:03:21.920><c> your</c> your primary care doctor, your your primary care doctor, your cardiologist
• </c><01:04:00.240><c> care,</c> including dentistry, primary care, including dentistry, primary care,

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Plan reviews for new construction or remodeling will take longer, which will delay the opening of new
• Plan reviews for new construction or remodeling will take longer, which will delay the opening of new
• </c> terms of uh a number of entities opening terms of uh a number of entities opening wanting<00:37:
• And so that is the primary driver of the proposal to eliminate the chiropractic benefit within MA.
• </c> chiropractic care and again the primary chiropractic care and again the primary driver<01:15:53.320

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house