Transcript Highlights:

• But, um, it can also, in government, we've seen at the national level, AI can expose a lot of waste,
• But, um, it can also, in government, we've seen at the national level, AI can expose a lot of waste,
• But, um, it can also, in government, we've seen at the national level, AI can expose a lot of waste,
• But, um, it can also, in government, we've seen at the national level, AI can expose a lot of waste,
• We hear a lot about fraud, waste, and abuse, like you said.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:15.400><c> streams</c> that can uh pull from Wast streams that can uh pull from Wast streams
• There were just leaching waste directly into the water in what is argued one of the most valuable and
• </c><00:59:38.440><c> directly</c> were just leeching um waste directly were just leeching um waste directly
• um and so the water 100% of our waste um and so the water water<01:01:26.119><c> can</c><01:01:26.240
• </c><01:33:13.360><c> moving</c><01:33:13.600><c> towards</c><01:33:13.840><c> our</c> sediment waste

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Chronic Wasting Disease poses a significant threat to the Texas deer population. and the hunting
• effectiveness of current Parks and Wildlife's rules and policies in managing and containing Chronic Wasting

Bills: SB2031 , SB2386 , SB2476 , SB2801 , SB2843 , SB2844 , SB2846 , SB2885

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: deer breeding, chronic wasting disease, wildlife management, release site, landowner rights, TCEQ, environmental quality, administrative actions, public notice, legislative oversight, water supply, Angelina and Neches River Authority, ownership transfer, public utilities, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial

Transcript Highlights:

• A few are smart, like better oversight to stop fraud and keep taxpayer money from being wasted, but others
• A few are smart, like better oversight to stop fraud and keep taxpayer money from being wasted, but others
• A few are smart, like better oversight to stop fraud and keep taxpayer money from being wasted, but others
• A few are smart, like better oversight to stop fraud and keep taxpayer money from being wasted, but others
• A few are smart, like better oversight to stop fraud and keep taxpayer money from being wasted, but others

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• This restriction drives up planning costs and wastes money that could otherwise be used on the landscape
• Assembly Bill 1153 by Assembly Member Bonta and relating to solid waste.
• Assembly Bill 1153 by Assembly member Banta and acting the solid waste.
• They pose costly and hazardous safety issues at every point in the waste stream.
• consumers easily pivoted to reusable devices, which meant millions fewer lithium batteries in the waste

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a long third-reading file with several guest introductions and ceremonial resolutions. Early floor action included AB 713, allowing undocumented students equal access to campus jobs at UC, CSU, and community colleges, and AB 1049, streamlining California Food Assistance Program applications for low-income immigrant families; both passed. The body also defeated an amendment to AB 1421, a bill to begin studying a statewide mileage-based road user charge, before passing the measure. AB 1171, modernizing part-time community college faculty health insurance access, also passed with strong support. The Assembly then approved a series of policy bills on animals, domestic violence, telehealth for autism services, forestry, false lien filings, tianeptine restrictions, housing, common interest development fee transparency, prison sexual abuse accountability, PBM reporting, foster youth benefits protections, illegal dumping and abandoned RV removal, condo financing/liquidated damages, public contracting, pension-related study language, climate resiliency research funding, and a disposable vape reduction measure. Most passed with broad margins; AB 762 on vapor inhalation devices drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing landfill fires and public health and opponents warning about revenue losses and illicit-market growth, but it still passed. AB 1406 on condo development financing drew extensive discussion about housing affordability and consumer protections before passing. The chamber also adopted three resolutions: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 designating Anesthesiologist Week. Later, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on AB 1485, extending welfare-tax exemption treatment to federally recognized tribes holding land for conservation, and adopted the consent calendar, which included several additional bills and SCR 6. The session ended with adjournment until February 2, 2016, after which several members recorded vote changes from the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are back for a fourth hearing related to the Axon and DHS fraud, waste, and abuse hearings.
• Because, of course, we know that we are here to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
• 2025, there was still no leadership and no one wanted to identify or start to even look at the fraud, waste
• there were, over the last few years—and let me clarify something—I think that this whole Access fraud, waste
• actions and use our tools and our processes to ensure that we are mitigating as much as possible fraud, waste

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• everything's in place and then all of a sudden a place wants to detach, that's a lot of money just wasted
• It's burdensome, and quite frankly, I think it's a waste of everyone's time here today because there
• opposition based on water quality issues or water table issues or drought or agricultural needs or waste
• product or whatever it was, or just nuisance... ...or waste product or whatever it was, or just nuisance
• they’re using, is any of that water recycled back into the process, or does that go directly to the waste

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not wasting taxpayer dollars by dragging this out for three days.
• </c><00:01:33.040><c> We're</c><00:01:33.280><c> not</c><00:01:33.520><c> wasting</c> that we take the
• We're not wasting that we take the time.
• We're not wasting uh<00:01:34.320><c> taxpayer</c><00:01:34.880><c> dollars</c><00:01:35.200><c> by</
• And that was the whole purpose of that: so that we could get here, not waste the taxpayer dollars, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not about tightening belts or trimming waste. This is about our children, millions of them.
• That this healthy food that we grow, and that there isn't waste, and that there isn't.
• but we are also seeing an emphasis on making government work better, cutting the fraud, cutting the waste
• to Congress and the administration, that we stand willing to work with this administration to cut waste
• California kids and farmers are not waste, fraud, and abuse.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are still facing our own deactivation, and we will be better use of our time and we will not be wasting
• We are still facing our own deactivation, and we will be better use of our time and we will not be wasting
• We are still facing our own deactivation, and we will be better use of our time and we will not be wasting
• We are still facing our own deactivation, and we will be better use of our time and we will not be wasting
• We are still facing our own deactivation, and we will be better use of our time and we will not be wasting

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They needed to be audited, wasteful spending, diversion of funds, and I, too, am really pleased that,
• He founded McCreakin and Associates and is co-owner of Texas Waste.
• So that was a sludge license that annually the waste company would get.
• 2012, my partner and I, and my attorney, and so we had a registered sludge license to haul sludge or waste
• partner and I, and my attorney, and so we had a registered for sludge, license, the hall, sludge or waste

Committee: Senate Nominations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• For an agency like NMED to come up with another purpose for emissions and that waste like methane, but
• And we might all recall that two of the primary missions of the OCD are to prevent waste.
• That means it's wasted resources—federal wasted resources and state wasted resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing way too much about fraud, waste, and abuse, right, and we can't have that happen in this
• We're hearing way too much about fraud, waste, and abuse, right, and we can't have that happen in this
• ><00:18:25.159><c> much</c><00:18:25.320><c> about</c><00:18:25.559><c> fraud</c><00:18:25.919><c> waste
• </c> hearing way too much about fraud waste hearing way too much about fraud waste and<00:18:26.320><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, but uh the e-waste. I want to also mention the e-waste and battery product stewardship.
• Chair, but uh the e-waste. I want to also mention the e-waste and battery product stewardship.
• </c> program, this time for electronic waste program, this time for electronic waste is<00:08:28.319>
• </c><00:20:50.159><c> Uh</c><00:20:50.480><c> but</c> electronics waste and batteries.
• Uh but electronics waste and batteries.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was done for imaging, labs, and often that necessitates duplication, which ultimately just leads to waste
• </c><01:23:51.960><c> just</c><01:23:52.120><c> leads</c><01:23:52.520><c> to</c><01:23:53.040><c> waste
• </c><01:23:53.800><c> and</c> which ultimately just leads to waste and which ultimately just leads to
• We are here to make sure that we are eliminating the waste, giving a very cost-effective solution with
• </c> sure that we are eliminating the waste sure that we are eliminating the waste giving<01:34:14.840

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is how we prevent waste, fraud, abuse. ...and a public benefit.
• That is how we prevent waste, fraud, abuse, favoritism, and conflicts of interest.
• Heavy-duty service vehicles, including those providing essential solid waste and recycling services,
• Cities, labor groups, and service providers like waste haulers are in joint support of this effort.
• Waste haulers, the primary payers of this cost, support the bill.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public service operations such as waste hauling.
• Cities, labor groups, and service providers like waste haulers are in joint support of the effort.
• Once and for all, members, stop wasting hardworking taxpayer dollars and use it more efficiently, either
• to defund the high-speed rail and actually do better for the people of California than continue to waste
• to defund the high-speed rail and actually do better for the people of California than continue to waste

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact that the auditor is sitting here, The fact that the auditor is sitting here, having to waste
• The fact that the auditor is sitting here, having to waste time on this, if you want to play politics
• It's a waste of resources when they're not operating in a manner that can stand up to public scrutiny
• And if they continue to litigate and waste money and lose court cases, then the voters ultimately, I
• And if they continue to litigate and waste money and lose court cases, then the voters ultimately, I

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, and the state auditor gave an update on his office’s workload, including several JALAC audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth, and capacity to begin additional audits. Members also announced that one audit request on Prop. 28 was being held and that the PUC request would be moved off consent for presentation. After quorum was later established, the committee took up and approved several audit requests, including the DMV license revocation audit on consent, the CPUC utility interconnection timeliness audit, and the Caltrans SR 710 extension project audit. The fusion centers audit was approved on call, while the Orange County Board of Education audit was still being discussed when the transcript ended. Senator Cervantes presented the fusion centers audit request, arguing that California’s fusion centers operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and retain sensitive information without adequate legal authority, privacy protections, or accountability. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and an ACLU representative, said the centers function as opaque intelligence-sharing hubs and have a history of inaccurate or biased reporting. The state auditor said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while noting possible access and public disclosure limits because of intelligence-related information. The request drew sharp criticism from one member, who called it politicized and unnecessary, but it ultimately advanced on call. Senator Allen’s CPUC audit request focused on the commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. Supporters said utilities routinely miss deadlines, causing delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, businesses, and homeowners, while CPUC staff said the commission has public reporting, workshops, and an active proceeding to address the issue. The auditor said the review would examine CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and data on why utilities struggle to comply, estimating about 3,500 hours of work. The committee approved the request after discussion about whether an audit or legislative oversight would be the best tool. Senator Perez and Assembly Member Fong presented the Caltrans 710 corridor audit request, describing tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing, unclear communications, and delays in the affordable sales program created under the Roberti Act. Caltrans said it had completed many sales, was moving additional properties, and remained committed to transparency and compliance. The auditor said the review would examine whether Caltrans is complying with the Roberti Act, how it sets affordable prices, appraisal and appeal practices, communications with buyers, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior audit recommendations. The committee also heard Senator Umberg’s request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues; supporters argued the board’s actions warranted scrutiny, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that complaints, enforcement actions, and legal challenges were minimal or absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• different, you know, lots of people like to just put in funny things, then the clerks don't have to waste
• rewrote this statute effectively with this ruling, and they spent years going through this process, wasting
• And I'm just curious if, in your opinion, that's a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars to go through
• I think it's an egregious miscarriage of justice at this point, not only a waste of financial resources
• Had the court simply gone by, At this point, not only a waste of financial resources, had the court simply

Committee: Joint Government Operations Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't want to be wasteful now either.
• And I don't want to be wasteful now either.
• But out of $48 billion, anybody seriously want to come to me and tell me there's not $250 million of waste
• , fraud, and abuse, Seriously want to come to me and tell me there's not $250 million of waste, fraud
• Everything you said is accurate, except I believe that those same dollars, if we have $250 million in waste

Summary: The House met on the final day of session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 vote. Much of the early floor time was devoted to points of personal privilege, with members and the Speaker offering lengthy tributes to departing colleagues, House staff, law enforcement, veterans, and family members. Several members reflected on their service, discussed the challenges of the session, and thanked staff in the chamber and across the Capitol for their work. The chamber then took up Senate messages and committee reports, followed by several bills and resolutions. House Bill 2636, dealing with mortgage modification and related consumer protections, was adopted as amended and finally passed by votes of 142-1 on adoption and 144-1 on final passage. House Bill 2397, concerning water district dissolution procedures and related safeguards, was adopted and finally passed by votes of 129-16 and 127-17. House Bill 2576, a naming and designation bill adding observances and memorial highways/bridges, was adopted and finally passed by votes of 136-4 and 134-6. The House also debated Senate Joint Resolution 95, which proposed creating a constitutional Show Me Prosperity Fund as a sovereign wealth fund intended to eventually replace state taxes through long-term investment returns. Supporters argued it was a forward-looking fiscal strategy based on compound interest and could reduce reliance on taxes over generations. Opponents warned that the state was facing near-term budget shortfalls and that locking money away could make it inaccessible during emergencies or when needed for current services. The transcript ends during continued debate on the resolution, with no final vote shown.