Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, sorry, I was getting some feedback. So the legislature added 56-2104, 56-2105.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from Thursday, March 19, 2026, and then recognized Page Obregon for his service, with members thanking him and presenting a gift and signed card. Obregon spoke about college and law school plans and said his time with the committee had taught him a great deal about state and local government. The main policy item was House Bill 614, which Rep. Brandon Mitchell said updates Idaho’s mental health and developmental disability laws. He and Nez Perce County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Travis Hartshorn explained that the bill creates rebuttable presumptions and other procedures to better handle people found incompetent to stand trial but not restorable, expands coverage to neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, emphasizes least restrictive placement and treatment, and adds language related to sexual offenses and risk of harm. Members asked about the scope of the problem and local guardianship boards, and the committee voted to send HB 614 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1330 as amended, presented by Sen. Cody Galloway and Rep. John Schurz, which would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Supporters said the current limit is outdated because of inflation and that the higher cap would help small businesses and individuals resolve disputes without hiring attorneys. After brief discussion, including a question about whether claimants could file for less than the full amount owed, the committee voted unanimously to send SB 1330 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The chair then stated the committee had concluded its work for the session, subject to being called back if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I believe, and I've heard a lot of feedback that proponents of the bill, people who care about

Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Chair June Robinson with Senators Noel Frame and Derek Stanford, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, housing stability, and long-term care while making targeted reductions and avoiding broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to handle cuts in the Working Connections child care program. Robinson said the Senate budget uses policy changes, especially an attendance-based payment adjustment, rather than the governor’s proposed enrollment cap and waitlist, because lawmakers wanted to avoid destabilizing the child care workforce and reduce harm to families. She also said the Senate is open to negotiating with the House on the Climate Commitment Act use of funds for the tax credit, noting that the statute allows it, though some advocates oppose that approach. The senators defended using $750 million from the rainy day fund, saying it was preferable to deeper cuts and still leaves reserves above $1 billion in the near term. They also argued that Washington’s revenue system is too dependent on property and sales taxes and that a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize funding, especially for education and other core services. In response to criticism from educators and Republicans, they said the state has made progress on school funding and that rising program costs reflect increased need and utilization rather than waste. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the event was a budget rollout and press Q&A rather than a formal committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• worked very closely with Legislative Finance Committee, Legislative Council Services, and took the feedback

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The consensus around this final bill has grown out of countless hours of thoughtful feedback and deliberation

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard SB 53 by Senator Wiener after the bill was substantially amended on the floor and referred back under Assembly Rule 77.2. The author explained that the bill, focused on AI safety and frontier models, now applies its main requirements to models trained above 10^26 FLOPs, includes broader whistleblower protections, sets different disclosure obligations based on company revenue, removes Attorney General rulemaking authority in favor of an annual Department of Technology report, and keeps a $1 million-per-violation penalty. He also highlighted CalCompute, a proposed public cloud intended to expand access to compute and support innovation. Supporters, including Encode AI and Economic Security California Action, argued the bill would hold AI developers accountable to their public safety commitments, improve transparency, protect whistleblowers, and help democratize access to AI infrastructure. They said the measure reflects extensive negotiation with the administration and stakeholders and aligns with recommendations from the governor’s frontier-model working group. Opponents, including CalChamber, TechNet, CCIA, and Chamber of Progress, remained opposed unless amended, saying they appreciated the author’s work but still had concerns outlined in their letters. Committee members questioned whether the bill could stifle innovation, how it would address worst-case AI harms, and whether it could reach actors outside California. The author responded that the bill is intended as a light-touch transparency measure, that it applies to entities doing business in California, and that California can still lead in the absence of federal action. Members also emphasized the importance of whistleblower protections and CalCompute. The committee voted 12-1 to pass the bill, with DeMaio voting no and Patterson not voting, and the bill was sent back to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill builds off of that report and then countless stakeholder feedback that we've garnered over

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard SB 615 by Senator Allen, which would create a Department of Toxic Substances Control program for end-of-life electric vehicle battery management. The bill is intended to promote reuse, repurposing, recycling, tracking, and responsible handling of EV batteries, with producer responsibility and certification of recyclers as key features. Supporters, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, California State Association of Counties, automakers, recyclers, and environmental groups, said the measure would help prevent hazardous waste problems, reduce illegal dumping, and prepare for a coming wave of battery retirements. Opponents, including Tesla, Rivian, the California Chamber of Commerce, and others, raised concerns about liability, burdens on smaller entities, and the bill’s structure, while some groups supported it if amended. Committee members discussed the current low recycling rate for EV batteries, the difference between reuse, repurpose, and recycling, and whether the bill appropriately places responsibility on producers rather than consumers. The author said the bill builds on prior work and stakeholder input and is designed to create a workable system without overburdening DTSC. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 615 out on a 5-1 vote, with one member voting no. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 39, SB 454, SB 724, and SCR 3, and those measures were approved. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for your patience today and your constructive feedback for the author. Thank you. All right.

Bills: HB2838, HB2964, HB3213, SB924

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• We're getting some feedback in the room that the mics might not be working.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will, and I would love your feedback on this because we added an affirmative defense in there to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am very confident that this bill will continue to evolve, and I appreciate all the feedback and questions

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met and reported several bills favorably. PCS for HB 647, which allows physicians to use advanced practice registered nurses under written protocol to certify deaths and file death certificates for hospice patients, passed unanimously after brief supportive testimony from hospice, AARP, and physician assistant representatives. HB 803 on acupuncture updated outdated statutory language, clarified the definition of acupuncture, listed allowable point injection therapy items while prohibiting certain drugs, and affirmed referral authority for imaging and labs; it passed 16-1 amid support from acupuncture stakeholders and opposition from several medical groups. PCS for HB 1545 would create recurring state funding for Parkinson’s disease research at the University of South Florida and a consortium of Florida universities; it drew support from USF, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Mayo Clinic, with concerns raised about limiting participation to universities, and it passed unanimously. HB 901, which clarifies procedures for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, passed 15-1 with support from a witness and no debate. HB 591, the children with developmental disabilities/autism bill, was presented as a broad early-diagnosis and intervention measure to help children enter treatment and mainstream life sooner; it received supportive testimony from the Florida PTA and strong floor support, and passed unanimously. Finally, PCS for HB 1299, the Department of Health agency bill, made multiple changes including preventing the mRNA vaccine from sunsetting in statute, adding vaccination-status protections in the patients’ bill of rights, updating medical marijuana center screening and reporting requirements, revising nurse active-practice requirements, making technical compact changes, and extending sovereign immunity protections to dental students doing charitable clinic work. After a brief note that optician-related provisions had been removed, the bill passed unanimously. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members. 1400 by Senator Colcos is a result of stakeholder feedback from Senate District 18

Bills: SB 49

Keywords: Galveston County, legal expenses, appropriation, litigation, state funding

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several higher education bills and took public testimony on each. Senate Bill 60 would let public junior college libraries donate outdated, duplicative, or valueless materials instead of treating them as surplus property; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 49 would expand performance-tier funding incentives so community colleges are also rewarded for student transfers to private four-year universities; it also received no public testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 365 would allow higher education institutions to choose a transcript lookback period between 5 and 10 years for adult undergraduates seeking to waive older transcripts. Senator Eckhardt and witness Daniel Arrevalo described how old academic records can block adults from returning to college; the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 895 would expand the FAST dual-credit program beyond public school students to include eligible private school and homeschool students, with support from the Texas Private Schools Association, the Texas Homeschool Coalition, and a coordinating board witness explaining the funding structure; it too was left pending. Senate Bill 1400 would clarify what counts as a transfer for performance-tier funding by allowing students with 30 or fewer prior university credit hours to still be counted as transfer students when moving from a public junior college to a general academic institution. Former Representative Leighton Schubert testified that the change would address funding losses and better reflect modern student pathways; after testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the very good feedback. Thank you. I appreciate it. Members, any other questions? Mr.

Bills: SB8, SB650, SB667, SB779, SB1349, SB1355, SB1378, SB1585, SB1721, SB2312, SB 8

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a very robust hearing with a lot of witnesses, and because of the feedback, members, we've taken

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee considered and advanced several education-related measures. SB 57, on emergency safety accommodations for students with disabilities during drills or emergencies, was amended by a committee substitute requested by TEA to require accommodations be explicitly included in IEPs or Section 504 plans, documented and communicated to administrators, and to allow TEA rules on preparedness guidelines; it was reported favorably. The committee also reported SB 24, on adding study of communist regimes and ideologies to social studies standards, and SB 112, on parental rights and public education, both favorably. SB 204, requiring a parental rights handbook and trustee training, and SB 371, on parental approval for human sexuality instruction, were also advanced. SB 400, requiring parental consent for psychological or psychiatric examination, testing, or treatment by school employees, was reported favorably as substituted. Members discussed SB 609, which would require school districts and charter schools to comply with legally required policies, with questions about whether districts must still comply absent additional state resources; it was reported favorably with two members voting present-not-voting. SB 686, on student transfers between public schools, and SB 1447, on TEA standards for school use of electronic devices and software, were both reported favorably, with SB 686 noted as having a fiscal note. SCR 5, directing the Texas School for the Deaf to name a gymnasium after a former alumnus, was also advanced. The committee approved SJR 12, proposing a constitutional amendment affirming a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, on a 9-1 vote. It then considered SB 12, a broad bill on parental rights, public education, and restrictions on DEI-related duties and funding consequences for noncompliance. The committee substitute expanded the DEI definition, limited discipline to intentional or knowing violations, required notice to employees, restricted student clubs focused solely on sexual orientation or gender identity, clarified limits on DEI duties, required annual capacity reporting for transfer requests, refined grievance procedures, shortened the grievance filing window to six weeks, and added parent-notice provisions regarding special education, bilingual education, and uncertified teachers. After discussion on the grievance timeline and terminology in the DEI provisions, the substitute was adopted and SB 12 was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and I think I thank you for the feedback.
• Yeah, and I think I thank you for the feedback.
• Yeah, and I think I thank you for the feedback.
• I'll try to come up with an amendment, and I do really appreciate all the feedback. Thank you all.
• </c> basically the, uh, hearing the feedback basically the, uh, hearing the feedback from<03:13:08.560

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then phase five is simply providing feedback for the RDP throughout the program.
• </c><03:01:31.120><c> on</c><03:01:31.279><c> what</c> see if we get some more feedback on what see if
• we get some more feedback on what those<03:01:31.760><c> census</c><03:01:32.160><c> blocks</c><03:01
• on uh or I'm sure one of the feedback on uh or I'm sure one of the county<03:04:21.439><c> clerks</c
• </c><03:05:26.800><c> on</c> if we need to provide feedback on if we need to provide feedback on shifting

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to feedback and suggestions to strengthen this bill.
• I'm<00:06:46.000><c> open</c><00:06:46.240><c> to</c><00:06:46.479><c> feedback</c><00:06:46.880><c>
• But, um, that is my only feedback. Thank you.
• But, um that is that is my<03:09:38.560><c> only</c><03:09:38.720><c> feedback.
• </c> my only feedback. Thank you. my only feedback. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're open to feedback. They're happy to meet with us, talk through issues.
• I appreciate your your feedback. &gt;&gt; Good. I appreciate your your feedback.
• He added that, in both instances, the feedback he got from his members and contractors was that this
• Um, in my time at the New Hampshire Municipal Association, I have not received any feedback from any
• </c><05:43:24.958><c> from</c><05:43:25.200><c> any</c> have not received any feedback from any have

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need your feedback on this." Not, "Okay, let's start from scratch. What are all the spots?"
• We need your feedback on this." Not, "Okay, let's start from scratch. What are all the spots?"
• We need your feedback on this." Not, "Okay, let's start from scratch. What are all the spots?"
• We need your feedback on this." Not, "Okay, let's start from scratch. What are all the spots?"
• We need your feedback on this." Not, "Okay, let's start from scratch. What are all the spots?"

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our amendments came back yesterday, or pardon me, the feedback on our amendments came back yesterday,
• We're waiting for feedback from the author and the sponsors and the author staff.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy regular-order hearing on August 5, 2026, with 325 bills on the agenda and a large number of Senate bills moved on consent or by roll call. Early action included two consent motions for numerous Senate bills, followed by individual presentations on measures covering health, housing, energy, labor, insurance, public safety, and environmental issues. The committee also later approved a large suspense calendar and took public comment on bills not heard earlier in the day. Among the bills discussed, SB 999 would delay the publication date of the Health Minimum Essential Coverage Individual Mandate Report; SB 869 would require added-sugar warning icons for high-sugar beverages at large chain restaurants; SB 931 would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Essential Mitigation Fund; SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility to meet clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; and SB 1288 would create a framework for notifying and verifying beneficiaries of nonprobate assets. Other measures included SB 1371 on labor disputes and solid waste service, SB 1014 on housing development estimates, SB 1283 on EV charging station permitting, SB 1209 and SB 1244 on insurance enforcement and broker compensation disclosure, SB 1359 on gas utility infrastructure and ratepayer protections, SB 677 and SB 908 on housing streamlining and window replacement rules, SB 1323 on procedures for patients in immigration custody, SB 938 on law enforcement hiring standards for former federal immigration officers, SB 1272 on code enforcement timelines for unsuspecting homeowners, SB 1117 on ADU impact fees, SB 1196 on utility hookup timelines for small energy projects, SB 1299 on fire sprinkler fitter training and certification, and AB 2597 on state claims settlements. Testimony was generally supportive from bill authors, sponsors, and allied groups such as Health Access California, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the California Restaurant Association on SB 869 unless amended, the California Teachers Association, YIMBY and housing advocates, the Casita Coalition, labor groups, and various local government representatives. Opposition or concerns came from restaurant industry representatives on SB 869, SIFMA and banking groups on SB 1288, insurance broker groups on SB 1244, PG&E and county representatives on SB 1359, code enforcement and county organizations on SB 1272, special districts and fire-related local agencies on SB 1117, and some public safety or fiscal concerns on other bills. Several authors noted ongoing negotiations and accepted committee amendments on their measures. Votes were taken throughout the hearing, with many bills passing on A or B roll calls, some with members not voting or voting no. The committee also approved the suspense calendar and later lifted the call on SB 1359 after adding an aye vote. Public comment at the end included opposition to a wildfire mitigation bill not heard earlier, with concerns about CEQA exemptions and herbicide use.

Transcript Highlights:

• So welcome reactions, questions, feedback on the concept, but also the nature of the execution.
• Okay, so, sensing a bit of a hinge in the conversation, I wanted to ask for your merciless feedback on

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.