Transcript Highlights:

• John Kelly said he would get to the agency-wide asset preservation priorities.
• </c> Rehabilitation but the challenge Rehabilitation but the challenge especially<01:05:32.720><c> for
• I’ll take Senator Jasinski up on his challenge to speak up on the State Trooper headquarters.
• </c><01:17:24.920><c> we</c> practices um and on the challenges we practices um and on the challenges
• </c><01:17:47.520><c> or</c> sustained economic challenges or sustained economic challenges or political

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll note that agencies that are not governor's agencies are omitted.
• So, members, I want to make a note on agency travel. I think agencies...
• We are not an agency with a lot of fat, despite their agency head.
• We are not an agency with a lot of fat, despite their agency head.
• So it can be a challenge.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply codifies a general practice the agency has acknowledged and supported to date.
• Eric Marion, Deputy General Counsel of the agency.
• Well, as the Senator mentioned, the agency provides staff for the State Board to...
• Staff are the agency staff and not the board’s.
• , issues, reviews..." "...have unique challenges, issues.

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills focused largely on special education transparency, school safety, and student support services. Senate Bill 1908, by Senator Zaffirini, would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the feasibility of a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements, including regional portals for healthcare clinical slots, with a report due by December 1, 2026. A representative of the Texas Nurses Association and the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition testified in support. The bill was left pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111, by Senator Hall, which in its committee substitute was narrowed to a reporting bill requiring school districts to disclose legal proceedings involving special education due process complaints when legal fees exceed $10,000, rather than capping spending. Several parents and advocates testified that districts spend large sums on litigation against families of children with disabilities and that greater transparency is needed; some senators raised concerns about unintended consequences, including possible pressure to settle cases. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1551 on automated external defibrillators in public schools, Senate Bill 865 on CPR instruction requirements for certain volunteers, Senate Bill 1032 on the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and Senate Bill 571 on school employee misconduct reporting and access to the Do Not Hire Registry; each was reported favorably after committee substitute adoption and roll-call votes. Additional bills discussed included Senate Bill 1884, which would formalize and expand dedicated staff support for the State Board of Education and give the board chair hiring authority over that staff; members questioned whether it duplicated TEA functions, while a witness argued the workload increase justified the change, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 625 would replace the current half-credit economics requirement with a half-credit in personal financial literacy; educators and advocates strongly supported making the course required, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 582 would make TEA settlement agreements in special investigations publicly available when sanctions are imposed, and Senate Bill 2600 would bar transportation fees for students living within two miles of campus unless districts do not receive state transportation funding; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2751, which would require TEA inspections of non-public special education programs to consider medical standards of care and crisis-prevention training; testimony from a program operator described severe student behaviors and the need for more flexibility, and the bill was left pending after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> these challenges headon. these challenges headon.
• </c> agencies, local jails, local agencies, local jails, local prosecutors,<00:16:21.440><c> and</c><
• Essentially, we're law enforcement agencies.
• And when we're law enforcement agencies.
• Um we we would yes agency has is gone.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the challenge with early-stage opportunities is that they end up requiring some sort of study, and
• So it's a little more challenging to filter and sort. Our goal is to have an interactive web map.
• And it's just about communication between agencies.
• And so we're in this kind of constant churning within the agency to make sure we can do that.
• Part of our challenge is we don't know the returns on the other equity yet.

Summary: The Legacy Fund Committee received updates from the North Dakota Retirement Investment Office (RIO) on fund performance, liquidity, in-state investments, and internal management. Scott Anderson reported strong returns for the Legacy Fund across multiple time periods, with performance exceeding the policy benchmark and expectations, driven largely by strong equity markets and effective implementation. He also reviewed private market pacing, noting commitments were on plan but that unfunded obligations and distributions were lower than expected, and presented a new liquidity analysis showing the fund had substantial capacity to meet obligations even under stressed market scenarios. The committee also discussed RIO’s internal investment program and cost savings. Anderson explained how internal management of fixed income, equity, and cash overlay strategies has reduced fees and transaction costs, while improving flexibility and portfolio construction. Members asked about staffing needs, and RIO leadership said asset growth has outpaced current staffing, with a request for additional FTEs likely coming to support investment, operations, risk, and legal functions. The committee also reviewed the Legacy Fund’s in-state investment program, including 50 South Capital and infrastructure lending, and heard that one manager’s buildout is progressing more slowly because many opportunities are still early-stage. Adam Odison presented a preliminary estimate of the 2026 Legacy Fund earnings distribution, projecting about $894.8 million under current law, with roughly $237 million to the Highway Fund and $554 million to the Property Tax Relief Fund after the sinking and interest fund allocation. Jody Smith then gave a project update on a new standalone Legacy Fund website required by statute, intended to consolidate performance, holdings, governance, fees, and use-of-funds information for the public, with a planned launch around the October State Investment Board meeting. She also raised a possible future proposal to place the Legacy Earnings Fund back under State Investment Board management so the cash could remain invested longer before being transferred out, though members noted liquidity, accounting, and bank-deposit implications would need further review. Finally, Kelvin Holden of the Bank of North Dakota reviewed the match loan program, explaining how it supports large economic development projects by pairing Bank of North Dakota loans with State Investment Board CDs. He said the program currently has about $272 million outstanding and has supported projects such as Coal Creek Station and the MDU gas line to Gwinner. Members discussed whether the program’s return is appropriate and noted a prior moratorium on new investments so the committee can revisit the policy next session. The committee then elected Senator Klein as chair and Representative Hogan as vice chair, and the meeting ended with members thanking staff and partners for the fund’s progress.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tolerability of those decisions, and the timeliness of agency action.
• Right now we face profound challenges.
• The challenge has to be solved.
• We've had a challenge with this for years. years.
• There are challenges to integration.

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our network, including our Community Services Block Grant agencies, also known as community action agencies
• Our community action agencies are anti-poverty agencies, and they are involved in, they play a critical
• And again, I think our agency—well, I shouldn't say, I think; I know our agencies are also, they also
• I think our agencies—well, I shouldn't say, I think; I know our agencies are also, they also share the
• action agencies to help provide them with assistance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with other law enforcement agencies, both. state and federal levels.
• So it makes it pretty challenging. It does. Thank you. I appreciate that.
• As has already been testified to, we face the same challenges that all other law enforcement... agencies
• She has been, you know, she deals with challenging situations in her classroom.
• Be harder or more challenging, but they're different.

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:21.360><c> and</c> accountability between the agency and accountability between the agency
• </c><00:07:08.400><c> to</c> not specific, we do get challenges to not specific, we do get challenges
• > complete</c> Rarely does the agency complete Rarely does the agency complete applications<00:08:11.520
• </c><00:25:22.159><c> and</c> changes here that that the agency and changes here that that the agency
• </c><00:31:24.720><c> The</c> engineers, and the agency alike. The engineers, and the agency alike.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each agency will conduct annual in-service training again.
• Each agency will conduct annual in-service training again.
• </c> model policies at all agencies model policies at all agencies essentially<01:29:06.840><c> already
• and that could be law agencies and that could be law enforcement<01:36:57.199><c> agenc</c><01:36:57.600
• Don't reach around... how heavy a burden is put on agencies in how heavy a burden is put on agencies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are a lot of challenges that all of us are battling.
• What that means is those dollars then get reinvested into those public agency communities.
• What that means is those dollars then get reinvested into those public agency communities.
• That is huge. as we all know as local Into those public agency communities. That is huge.
• Because I have so many other challenging priorities I have to attend to.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This system is capable of connecting multiple first responder agencies.
• The lottery is the only agency that we have that's actually a profit center.
• And this is an important question, not only at this agency but at all the others that we did.
• Now, you know that in the past, because of resource challenges and funding challenges, we've had to,
• That's a new challenge, so we'll navigate that together as we've been doing.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amidst challenging budget times and even more challenges that Minnesotans are facing, what we have in
• </c> Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance Agency so<00:05:03.400><c> that</c><00:05:03.600><c> we</
• budget or agency budget.
• </c><00:13:22.120><c> and</c> the agency and the agency and &gt;&gt; [clears throat] &gt;&gt; [clears
• </c> the agency uh essentially take a look. the agency uh essentially take a look.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say we continue to work across all of the energy agencies to meet that goal.
• Still some challenges... ...downs for construction, also large challenges with supply chain.
• Still some challenges with supply chain, but it has been significantly improved.
• Downs for construction, also large challenges with supply chain.
• Still some challenges with supply chain, but it has been significantly improved.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I challenge my friends to think of their fathers, their grandparents.
• No government agency or elected official is above the law.
• And that is the local implications on our state and local agencies.
• , the celebratory evil that is occurring by this agency.
• They are in their 60s, in their 70s, and it really created economic challenges.

Summary: The Senate took up a series of third-reading bills covering horse racing, local taxation, consumer financial security, elections, utilities, batteries, sexual health, body-worn cameras, property tax treatment for inherited homes, adoptee birth records, youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, and civil rights. SB 795 on horse racing, SB 762 allowing Hercules to seek voter approval for a sales tax increase, SB 505 requiring two-factor authentication for money transmitter platforms, SB 46 barring California ballot access for presidential candidates who have already served two terms, SB 73 restricting federal access to voting machines without a court order, SB 327 on utility oversight and ratepayer protections, SB 501 expanding battery producer responsibility, SB 608 on school contraceptive access, SB 691 on EMS-related redaction of body-worn camera footage, SB 288 clarifying Proposition 19 timing for inherited homes in probate, SB 381 giving adoptees access to original birth certificates, SB 492 creating a youth housing bond, SB 555 increasing permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 747 creating a civil cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers were all debated and advanced. Most measures passed on roll call, with SB 505 and SB 288 approved by unanimous roll call, and SB 73 carrying an urgency clause that also passed unanimously. Debate on SB 747 was the most extensive and contentious. Supporters argued the bill was needed to hold federal officers accountable for alleged constitutional violations, especially in immigration enforcement, and described it as a civil-rights remedy for people harmed by federal agents. Opponents said existing federal and state remedies already cover such conduct, warned the bill was politically motivated, and argued it could increase litigation and strain law enforcement resources. The bill nevertheless passed on a 30-10 vote, with the urgency clause also approved. SB 492 on youth housing also drew debate over state bonding and debt, with supporters emphasizing early intervention for homeless and foster youth and opponents arguing the state should avoid borrowing and instead fund projects through the budget; it passed 30-9 on both urgency and the measure. Other bills also drew focused testimony. SB 555 was presented as a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment for permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 381 was supported as a way to give adopted adults access to their original birth certificates for identity and medical-history reasons. SB 691 was framed as a privacy measure for patients receiving medical or psychological treatment, while SB 501 was described as closing a gap in California’s battery recycling and safety rules by adding medium-format batteries used in e-bikes and portable power systems. SB 762 was presented as a local option for Hercules to address revenue shortfalls, and SB 46 and SB 73 both centered on election integrity and constitutional questions, with members split over federal-state authority and ballot access.

Transcript Highlights:

• The centers must also develop partnerships with tribal governments, education agencies, schools, and
• . taking on all these challenges, just like you mentioned.
• But she talks about some of her challenges. Right?
• I mean, we had to cut her off because she wanted to continue; it's a challenge game.
• That's another challenge, right? So my mom, who's fluent in Keres, but we're from Acoma.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We often have a challenge getting up here, and especially given the weather this last weekend.
• I will remind you that Chief Story leads one of the largest municipal law enforcement agencies in New
• As she is a Seahawk fan, we would like to challenge her to a dinner for the winner.
• Senator Hill, do you accept the challenge? Mr.
• Maybe we'd have a little golf challenge. I think that'd be great if you'd organize that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked with the leaders at both agencies on this language, and they certainly are.
• That agency certainly needs your support. And so we.
• Obviously, West Texas has a manpower shortage from some of the local agencies.
• I do want to offer that those challenges include the size, expertise, and resources involved.
• I think that the agency has a practical approach which is needed here. Produced water...

Bills: HB48, HB49, HB 1169, HB1971, HB2584, HB2663, HB2890, HB48, HB49

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, 75% of our Challenge Academy programs are funded by the federal government.
• I served 21 years, and one of the challenges that I had was where do we go for help, right?
• One of the challenges that I had was where do we go for help, right?
• We just started having those— Our health agencies, things like that.
• The challenge, I think, is that it's not just the VA, obviously, it impacts veterans, right?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• So about 100,000 individual providers in 761 agencies were terminated, and those are agencies that weren't
• </c> were terminated and those are agencies were terminated and those are agencies that<00:09:17.680>
• </c> but it is up to the the Medicaid agency but it is up to the the Medicaid agency to<00:18:35.440>
• So, we are as an agency education.
• We talked about agency right now.

Keywords: 1183, house