Transcript Highlights:

• Structured literacy is for any language. There's a lot of...
• Structured literacy is for any language.
• This is any language that can use structured literacy.
• Structured literacy is just a way to start teaching... ...structured literacy is just a way to start
• But what I really want to focus on is that structured flexibility, or under a structure, you're giving

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They all have their own mayors, so they are big on home rule, which makes me big on home rule, to help
• The Municipal Home Rule Powers Act was intended to provide municipalities with broad home rule powers
• It is the same type of structure.
• It is the same type of structure.
• I'm probably 90 to 95 percent home rule.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• specific structure, if it helps.
• issue areas, you know, say look at it from the city versus the rule.
• I represent just a tad, but see all... rule. I represent just a tad, but see all my rule.
• It's the constitution and the rules that govern our internal... the rules that govern our internal process
• that structure how we operate protects that.

Bills: HB402 , HB402

Committee: House Urban and Rural Development

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis and state funds were a part of the structure.
• Louis and state funds were a part of the structure.
• This bill passed unanimously out of the Commerce Committee and out of Rules.
• That was added, and again, unanimously passed out of committee and out of Rules.
• And then we had the Attorney General on November 30th made the ruling, correct?

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal by a 122-0 vote, and numerous introductions of special guests, including Special Olympics participants, occupational therapy and social work students and professionals, teachers, social workers, local officials, and community groups visiting for Hill Day and other advocacy events. Members also made announcements about committee meetings before the chamber recessed until 2 p.m. On the floor, House Bill 2974 was perfected and printed with little debate. Supporters said it would codify telehealth access in Missouri’s licensure reciprocity framework, helping seniors and rural residents continue to receive care. House Bill 2934, a bipartisan St. Louis convention center governance measure, also advanced after adoption of an amendment changing governor-appointed board seats to two city, two county, and one at-large member. The bill would merge existing entities managing the convention center and Dome, create a new board structure, and authorize a convention district tax framework and related financing rules; members discussed local control, revenue use, and the length of agreements under the bill. House Bill 2057, a technical fix for Osage Beach entertainment district authority, was adopted and perfected and printed. Supporters said it corrects an error from a prior bill and would allow Osage Beach to create an entertainment district similar to those in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Branson to support tourism and economic development. The chamber also took up House Bill 1839 and related bills on age verification for pornographic websites. Proponents argued the measure is needed to protect minors from online pornography and exploitation, citing the Supreme Court’s upholding of a similar Texas law and Missouri’s existing attorney general enforcement efforts; opponents raised privacy, enforcement, and unintended-consequences concerns, including whether less-scrupulous sites could become more accessible. After a motion for the previous question, the House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed House Bill 1839 by a 104-16 vote with 20 present.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the tiered rate structure.
• In our rate structure. We have a 90-10 structure.
• They're not always clear on the rules.
• Going back to 54 federal access this rule. Yeah.
• , the tiered structure It is not just a delay.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> mix</c><00:25:04.880><c> safety</c><00:25:05.279><c> rules</c> overproduce rules and mix safety
• rules overproduce rules and mix safety rules with<00:25:05.840><c> quality</c><00:25:06.320><c> expectations
• Where did these our current rules?
• Right now, we're making small adjustments to an aging structure, a tweak to rules here and there, adding
• We have had doctors rules.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the first structure of its kind in this department.
• Fourth, the board's role in fiscal oversight is structurally limited.
• and fee structures.
• It's structural.
• It's structural.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 104, germane, thence referred to the Rules Committee.
• That is not part of the basic structure of this.
• That is not part of the basic structure of this.
• It takes time to learn structured literacy.
• Just challenge a ruling, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• was just a proposed rule.
• We haven't seen the final rule yet.
• And then finally, the single rate structure program with the same program rules that serve the same children
• roll out the single rate structure.
• So under that current structure, it could create, as I mentioned, some inequitable pay structures.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a structural economic shock, compounding year over year.
• Because of structural instability and corrosion concerns, ...possible.
• And the cost of the greenfield options quickly ruled them out, as did the amount of right-of-way that
• Do we have a sense yet of what will happen to the existing structure?
• Do we have a sense yet of what will happen to the existing structure?

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of states have their own unique structures that are theirs and their own structures only.
• Some have extensive rules around them. Some you’ve made rules for.
• This proposal would change the structure of the department, but would not change the structure of the
• It's not this structure; it's funding.
• It's not this structure, it's funding.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• DEL developed rule and corresponding guidance for implementation of the SR Plus program.
• And that rule in accompanying guidance was approved by state board on September 24th.
• So it’s preserving that eligibility structure as the economy continues to shift and change.
• The child themselves, based on rule, belongs to Miami-Dade.
• “The child themselves, based on rule, belongs to Miami-Dade.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the first structure of its kind in this department.
• One of the things I wanted to narrow in on was some discussion of the fee structure.
• The board is also conducting the fee structure analysis required by SB 158.
• Fourth, the board's role in fiscal oversight is structurally limited.
• It's structural.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on the Board of Environmental Safety (BES), created by SB 158 in 2021, and on broader DTSC reform efforts, including permitting, community engagement, fee setting, and the hazardous waste management plan. Chair Connolly opened by noting the board’s original goals of improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal stability, and raised concerns about a recent board appointee later becoming a lobbyist with DTSC-regulated clients. Witnesses and members also discussed the long-delayed SB 673 regulations on facility permitting and community vulnerability protections, as well as the board’s role in approving the hazardous waste management plan and reviewing permit appeals. Community and environmental justice witnesses argued that the board has improved access by creating a public forum, ombudsperson, and appeal process, but said it remains too passive and lacks authority over budgets, staffing, and implementation. They urged more statutory direction, stronger community participation, better transparency on how comments are used, and more meaningful authority in permit and plan decisions. One witness suggested the Legislature consider a separate oversight body or stronger legislative engagement, while another called for youth representation and paid fellowships on advisory bodies. Business and regulated-community testimony was more supportive of the board’s structure, emphasizing that SB 158 was a negotiated compromise that improved transparency and accountability while avoiding politicization, and calling for faster fee analysis and clearer budget information. Board Chair Andrew Rakestra and DTSC Director Barbara Butler reported that reform has produced measurable gains: more public engagement, stronger enforcement, fewer continued permits, improved compliance, increased revenues from the generation-and-handling fee, and progress on Exide cleanup, safer consumer products, and community revitalization grants. They acknowledged, however, that the board’s authority is limited, permit appeals can be slow, SB 673 regulations remain unfinished, and public trust still needs work. Both said the board is most effective when involved early and when DTSC shares information proactively. Members asked about fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and whether the Legislature should give the board a more formal role in budget change proposals, regulatory processes, and implementation oversight. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• they failed, they said it wasn't a rule.
• They made the rule. They weren't even in touch with their own rules, and they failed.
• they failed, they said it wasn't a rule.
• They made the rule. They weren't even in touch with their own rules, and they failed.
• So we have to structurally change all three.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met with all members present, temporarily replacing Vice Chair Keshel with Representative Taylor, and held HB 4014 at the sponsor’s request. It then heard HB 415, which would extend existing state rules on paid petition circulators and initiative/referendum disclosures to municipal and county measures, require paid circulators to display identifying information, and require local measures to disclose expenditures and revenue sources. The sponsor and supporters, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, argued the bill would improve transparency and keep initiatives driven by Arizona residents; the bill passed 5-2. The committee also heard the mirror resolution, HCR 2051, which passed 4-3. The committee next considered HCM 2010, urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment repealing the Seventeenth Amendment and returning selection of U.S. senators to state legislatures. The sponsor argued it would restore state sovereignty and accountability, while opponents raised concerns about direct democracy and the practical problems that led to the Seventeenth Amendment. The motion initially appeared to pass 4-3, but after a vote correction and a present vote, the measure ultimately failed. The committee then took up HB 2940, a complex AHCCCS/DES bill aimed at tightening eligibility verification, expanding competition in managed care contracting, and creating a unified eligibility rules engine. The sponsor said it would improve fiscal discipline and competition; AHCCCS and health plan representatives said many verification steps already exist, some provisions would add cost or duplicate federal/state processes, and the bill would significantly alter the managed care model. Despite those concerns, HB 2940 passed 4-3. Later, HB 2874 passed unanimously 7-0. That bill would ease termination requirements and penalties for candidate committees, PACs, or parties that never received contributions and later file termination statements. The committee then heard HB 467, which would require county recorders to display certain voter status information in precinct registers, signature rosters, or electronic poll books; after testimony from county officials and the Association of Counties, the committee adopted a verbal amendment changing “shall” to “may” and passed the bill 5-2. Finally, HB 2775, as amended, passed 4-3. The bill would bar state and local governments from using state resources to implement or enforce rules or policies of international organizations, and the amendment added restrictions on Arizona public universities’ dealings with certain foreign entities, with ABOR given review authority. Supporters framed it as a sovereignty and anti-foreign-influence measure, while the amendment’s removal of rulemaking authority was cited as important to the vote in favor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(b), the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules.
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c), the following bill is... AB 28.
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c), the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules: Item number
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 3rd on a unanimous vote.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 3rd on a unanimous vote.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the June 8–11, 2026 journals, and adopted floor amendments. It also referred several bills to Rules and approved motions affecting Budget and Fiscal Review Committee procedure, including second-reading treatment for budget measures and suspension of Joint Rule 62A to allow budget hearings on short notice. Both motions passed on roll call after some protest votes. The chamber then considered several appointments to the Delta Stewardship Council and the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators discussed the Delta, water policy, and the proposed Delta Tunnel, but the confirmations of Julie Lee, Ann Patterson, and Sheriff Christopher Clark all passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, authored by Senator Choi, honoring Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam and urging Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries. The main floor debate centered on Assembly Bill 109, the 2026 Budget Act. Supporters highlighted a $355.9 billion budget with $253 billion General Fund spending, $36.5 billion in reserves, a reduced structural deficit, and investments in child care, Medi-Cal, hospitals, housing, IHSS, education, transit, and other services. Opponents criticized the budget as relying on future tax increases, leaving a structural deficit, and failing to do enough on affordability, public safety, Prop. 36, unemployment insurance debt, and gas prices. After extensive debate, AB 109 passed 28–9, and the Senate later approved a consent calendar of six Assembly bills. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie, and the Senate adjourned until June 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(b), the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules: Item number
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c), the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules: Item number
• Pursuant to Senate rule 29.10, see the following bills are referred to the committee on rules.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 3rd on a unanimous vote.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 3rd on a unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in both cases town meeting has approved these home rule petitions.
• I'm glad you're considering our home rule petition, which is H. 4231. Thank you.
• “Greater relief as to structural nonconformity, not uses.
• I understand the structure, Mr. Bernstein. I’m asking how much that actually costs, right?
• So the first is, if we were to pass—well, sorry—when is your home rule petition coming?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now let's cover the ground rules for appropriate conduct.
• The rules for today's hearing include that incites or threatens violence.
• The rules for today's hearing include no talking or loud noises from the audience.
• That violations of these rules may subject you to removal or other enforcement actions.
• challenges to meeting our public policy objectives under the current structure of the CPUC.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• They just are going to have to follow the rule, and there's no photographs.
• It was a rule which exactly was against our Constitution.
• And you came and testified in favor of the rule and against the Constitution.
• The vast majority of our agencies are structured this way.
• Well, members of the legislature had been asking Fish and Game to incorporate that rule by rule—add this

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that we have addressed this in the rules that we have addressed this in the rules and<00:30:29.440
• </c> muchneeded break from the structured muchneeded break from the structured school<01:07:03.839><c
• </c> violating whatever rules during recess? violating whatever rules during recess?
• </c> know, when we get to the rules of it. know, when we get to the rules of it.
• Our kids are so structured all class. Our kids are so structured all the<01:12:32.400><c> time.

Committee: Senate Education