Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have you for your testimony.
• continue with your testimony. continue with your testimony.
• testimony.
• <01:10:52.560> Good testimony. Yes. Thank you. Good testimony. Yes. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is there any was there any testimony So, is there any was there any testimony in<01:07:14.000
• question that there was no uh testimony question that there was no uh testimony from<01:07:44.880
• Thank you for your testimony. Do we you. Thank you for your testimony.
• We have questions from the testimony.
• ,<01:54:40.800> Senator Thank you for your testimony, Senator Thank you for your testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. Chair: Thank you for your testimony. Any questions?
• Is that allowing testimony?
• Is that allowing testimony?
• Is that allowing testimony?
• Is that allowing testimony?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clarify is it your sort of testimony clarify is it your sort of testimony that<04:05:50.040>
• Based on not just testimony from last year's version of this bill, but based on the testimony and various
• <04:31:44.040> and of bill but based on the testimony and of bill but based on the testimony
• I would like to focus my testimony.
• I would like to focus my testimony.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools. Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6. The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, when we heard testimony on this, there was testimony about how child support...
• The family court is a part of it. lot of testimony um in here from one lot of testimony um in here from
• committee, we actually heard testimony committee, we actually heard testimony um<04:16:50.000>
• We really do appreciate it uh testimony.
• I don't Your testimony was wonderful.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• who you're with and begin your testimony who you're with and begin your testimony thank<00:53:45.599
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Last, I believe we have Caitlyn Snider.
• <01:40:09.960> today you know I think the the testimony today you know I think the the testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any public testimony on the bill? No public testimony members or any debate on the bill?
• You have survived question answers and we're going to public testimony. We have some just kidding.
• Alright echoes echoing the sentiments of her counterpart that it concludes concludes public testimony
• Is there any public testimony? I skipped the cloud. They don't have any questions.
• We really are in public testimony now.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, at this time we will continue taking testimony on oh excuse me, we need to House Committee on
• Members, at this time, we will continue taking testimony on SB 519.
• We heard public testimony on HB 4811 in committee on April 15th.
• OK, seeing none, we will move on to, uh, public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Members, any questions? Vice Chair Flores.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, at this time, we will continue taking testimony on SB—oh, excuse me, we need to— Meeting on
• At this time, we will continue taking testimony on SB 519. This time the chair calls.
• We heard public testimony on. HB4811 was heard in committee on April 15th.
• Seeing none, we will move on to public testimony. This time, the chair calls Matt Wagner.
• Thank you for your testimony. Members, any questions? Vice Chair Flores?

Bills: HB370, HB738, HB2935, HB3227, HB4103, HB5259, SB519, SB1350, SB1247, SB1248, SB2112, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR59, HCR109, HCR111, HCR135, SCR6

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be limiting testimony to two minutes out of respect for the members.
• Please do not repeat testimony from the witnesses before you. Please silence your phone.
• Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.
• We'll be limiting testimony to two minutes out of respect for the members.
• Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.

Bills: HB483, HB3345, HB3643, HB3821, HB3849, HB4472, HB4523, HB4524, HB5346, HB5347, HB5376

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to remind the public that testimony will be in person for these and future hearings.
• We also accept written testimony through the position letter portal on the committee's website.
• These witnesses will have three minutes each to provide their testimony.
• Thank you for testimony. ...for being a water manager in the valley. Thank you for the testimony.
• Thank you for the testimony. We open it up to members of the public in support.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:28.960> Uh testimony in October about this. Uh testimony in October about this.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Okay. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• least extremely costly but the testimony least extremely costly but the testimony given<03:40:11.520
• Seeing none, thank you very much for your thorough testimony.
• I shouldn't digress from my testimony I shouldn't digress from my testimony here<04:48:44.798>
• <05:05:29.840> into care to hand that written testimony into care to hand that written testimony
• <05:15:12.280> probably time you've heard my testimony probably time you've heard my testimony

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with House Bill 184, which would create a committee to study changing school start times. Members discussed Amendment 0394, which made the study committee’s duties more investigative and adjusted reporting recipients, including the Governor. Several members raised questions about whether the committee should review evidence-based studies, local district decisions, and existing district reports; supporters said the amendment would better allow the committee to gather information and recognize local control. The amendment passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Representative Litchfield noted that no one had testified in opposition and encouraged the future study committee to review an Oyster River School District report on school start times. The committee then took up House Bill 394, concerning cooperative school district budget committees and board member representatives. Amendment 0476 was adopted 17-0 after discussion that it clarified the bill’s language and reflected work with the School Boards Association. The committee then voted OTPA on the bill, which also passed 17-0. House Bill 738, requiring background checks for employees and volunteers at certain non-public schools or education service providers receiving public funds, was moved inexpedient to legislate. Supporters said the bill would create practical and legal problems for private citizens and homeschooling families, and the motion passed 15-2 with no minority report, placing the bill on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 235, which would amend the educator code of ethics and conduct to add responsibilities to parents. Supporters argued parents should be explicitly included in the code, while opponents said parents were already covered in existing ethics language and statute. The bill passed narrowly, 9-8. The committee then returned to House Bill 532 on alternate dispute resolution and individualized education plan team meeting facilitation. Amendment 0480H clarified that different rules would apply separately to neutral conference, mediation, and IEP facilitation; it passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Finally, the committee moved to House Bill 564, concerning adoption of school administrative unit budgets, and voted to retain the bill for further review because members said there was still confusion about how it would apply to single-district and multi-district SAUs.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you could please introduce yourself, who you're with, and begin your testimony.
• Please go ahead and introduce yourself and begin your testimony.
• If you could please introduce yourself, who you're with, and begin your testimony.
• Next I >> Thank you for your testimony. Next I have<00:17:54.840> Mr.
• <00:19:56.520> Is<00:19:56.640> there >> Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will allow no more than 40 minutes of testimony in total.
• The committee will allow no more than 40 minutes of testimony in total.
• And I always appreciate your testimony in Housing Committee and other places.
• I really appreciate it, and thank you for your testimony.
• Okay, with that, we will go to public testimony, public comment, sorry.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, for a regular order hearing with a large consent calendar and many individual bill presentations. The committee first approved numerous bills on consent, then heard a series of measures spanning reproductive health, child care eligibility, transportation, mental health diversion, county recorder fees, groundwater management, election deadlines, parking enforcement, consumer protections, housing, immigrant and student protections, and utility/CPUC oversight. Several bills were taken up only for presentation because they were on suspense, including ACA 4 on long-term housing funding, and the committee later approved a very large suspense calendar as a whole. Among the bills discussed, AB 260 would protect medication abortion access and providers; AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility during family leave or job search; AB 1014 would give Caltrans more flexibility on speed limits in rural highway segments; AB 46 would clarify judicial discretion in mental health diversion; AB 1413 and AB 929 addressed groundwater adjudication and SGMA-related protections for small community water systems and wetlands; AB 930 would count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days; AB 1022 would end towing solely for unpaid parking tickets; AB 290 and AB 302 dealt with automatic payments for the California Fair Plan and medical data protections; AB 1303 would remove the need for a Social Security number for California Lifeline eligibility; and several housing bills, including AB 920, AB 956, AB 1470, AB 893, and AB 1021, sought to streamline approvals or expand housing options. AB 1318 and AB 49 focused on immigrant-serving nonprofits and keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, while AB 1532 extended telecommunications and transportation access programs and added CPUC accountability measures. Testimony was generally supportive for the bills heard, with authors and sponsors emphasizing low or absorbable fiscal impacts, consumer protection, housing production, public safety, and protections for vulnerable communities. Opposition appeared on a few measures, including concerns about ADUs, towing authority, charter school-related issues, and the scale of proposed housing funding in ACA 4. Several members also commented in support of the housing and immigrant-protection measures, and some bills were voted out with recorded no votes or not-voting members noted. After the suspense calendar was deemed approved, the committee opened public comment on bills not presented that day, heard a long list of supporters and opponents on various measures, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony will be limited to two minutes per person.
• Blair, thank you for your testimony, and thank you both for being here.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Rep.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for the testimony.

Bills: HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023, SB 36

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony. I've got several.
• Public testimony. I've got several.
• Do we have any... we have some public testimony here today.
• That concludes our public testimony that I know of.
• Is there any additional public testimony? Seeing none...

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, all of which were reported favorably by unanimous votes. The chair opened with remarks about student performance and assessment, then the committee took up House Bill 1111 by Rep. Valdes, which would eliminate the certificate of completion for students who do not meet standard high school graduation requirements. Supporters argued the certificate is a meaningless “participation trophy” that can mislead students and families, while the sponsor said students would instead be pushed toward additional support, concordance testing, or other pathways to a standard diploma. Members raised questions about effects on ESE students, timing, and alternative pathways; the bill passed 17-0. The committee next approved House Bill 921 by Rep. Overdorf, which adds cursive writing instruction for grades 2 through 5 and defines cursive proficiency. The sponsor and supporters said cursive has historical, cognitive, and fine-motor benefits and helps students read signatures and historical documents. The bill also passed 17-0. After a brief recognition of visiting students, the committee heard House Bill 423 by Rep. Bartleman, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to give parents written notice about which services in an IEP, 504 plan, ELL plan, or similar plan will be honored. Supporters framed it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure for families, especially those with children with disabilities; the sponsor emphasized it does not require private schools to provide specific services, only to disclose them. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 251 by Rep. Tendrich, which would recognize January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and public witnesses described rising antisemitism, the importance of remembrance, and the need for education about the Holocaust. Members from both parties shared personal reflections and support, and a survivor’s letter was read into the record. The bill passed 16-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted the committee had gone four-for-four on unanimous support and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will never forget the testimony of the FBI director telling us that in just one year, I believe it
• Thank you all for your testimony. We'll have five-minute round of questions.
• And to hear your incredible testimony, got through three of you, I think.
• How difficult this must be and how heartfelt your testimony was.
• Thank you all for your testimony today. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: child safety, Big Tech, CSAM, legislation, online exploitation, bipartisan, social media

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we have time, we will open for public testimony at the end of the three panels in case there are
• through ADAP to address some of the needs that we heard earlier in the testimony?
• that's used as inclusive was there in the early part of your testimony.
• Is there anybody here that wishes to give public testimony that hasn't?
• Is there anybody here that wishes to give public testimony that hasn't?

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate your testimony, and we're going to move on to panel number two.
• We appreciate your testimony, and we're going to move on to panel number two.
• Appreciate the testimony from both of you. Thank you. Appreciate the testimony from both of you.
• Well, we appreciate both of your testimony. Okay, thank you.
• And I realized my testimony is costing my community about $300 a minute.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.