Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:50.560><c> government's</c> narrowly from the federal government's narrowly from the federal
• </c><00:14:55.279><c> from</c><00:14:55.519><c> the</c><00:14:55.680><c> federal</c> for the federal
• from the federal for the federal from the federal government<00:14:56.639><c> for</c><00:14:57.120><c
• </c><00:38:02.000><c> accounts</c><00:38:02.880><c> be</c> system administrator accounts be system administrator
• I'd like the committee administration.

Summary: The committee first approved the June 20, 2025 minutes, with several members abstaining, and then adopted the consent calendar after removing items 223 and 224 under tab five, item 222 under tab six, and item 231 under tab seven. The committee also noted that an old business item related to YDC claims administration would be removed at a future meeting because the fiscal year had closed and no further committee action was needed. The main substantive discussion centered on Department of Health and Human Services requests. Item FIS-223 would fund a shared database between the Department of Education and HHS to identify children eligible for the summer EBT program; members asked whether it could also help with Medicaid or school reimbursement tracking, but the witness said the item was specifically for summer EBT and that broader integration questions would need follow-up with Education and Medicaid staff. The committee then adopted the item, with Representative Mooney voting no. Item FIS-224 concerned the phrase "high quality services" in child care-related funding; HHS said the standards come from the federal Office of Child Care, and the committee adopted the item. Item FIS-222 related to Money Follows the Person; HHS explained it is a 100% federally funded program that supports transitions from institutions to community living with services such as housing navigation, furnishings, and case management. Members questioned the scale and cost of the program, and HHS said the initial federal award was $5 million, with additional federal IT funding later approved; the committee adopted the item, again with Representative Mooney voting no. Under tab seven, the committee discussed item 231 involving ARPA funds and the YDC project. The Department of Administrative Services explained that recent Treasury guidance allows leftover ARPA dollars from approved projects to be repurposed only for additional work on already approved projects, not new projects. Members asked about whether the project was over budget and whether some items had been in the original plan; officials said the work reflected add alternates from the original bid and that the project was on track to meet the deadline. The committee adopted the item. The meeting then moved to the audit presentation on the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s fiscal year 2024 management letter, which identified 13 internal control comments, including two material weaknesses, largely tied to the new NextG system. Recommendations included strengthening controls, formal risk assessment, reconciliations to New Hampshire First, cash receipt controls, subsidiary ledgers, SOC reports for vendors, internal audit functions, lease accounting, gift card breakage reporting, and IT security and access controls. The Liquor Commission said it concurred with most findings, described the system transition as successful overall, and said remediation would continue; committee members asked for estimated completion dates for audit findings and discussed the need for more regular follow-up on audit issues and budget monitoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of that due to inflation, federal spending cuts, and new administrative burdens in programs like
• administration is taking. Can you also administration is taking.
• in federal benefits.
• however, federal This year, however, federal administration<01:19:52.159><c> has</c><01:19:52.640><c
• It affects federal funding. It affects our federal partners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Immigration is a federal issue, and the federal government is taking the lead.
• Now, could federal law change? Yes.
• This is the focus of the Trump administration.
• of federal immigration laws.
• So for me, I'm just a little, quite frankly, tired about administration after administration after administration

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of an amended joint proclamation expanding the Legislature’s immigration agenda. The proclamation added items calling for financial penalties for government officials, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. The chamber then took up the special order calendar, beginning with Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill. Most of the meeting was devoted to debate and questions on the strike-all amendment to SB 2B. Sponsor Senator Gruters described the bill as a broad immigration enforcement package aligned with President Trump’s agenda. He said it would require greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, strengthen participation in the 287(g) program, create a chief immigration officer and council, authorize financial penalties for noncompliance, provide bonuses for officers assisting ICE, and direct information-sharing with federal agencies. He also said the bill would bar DHSMV from issuing licenses or ID cards to unauthorized aliens and would end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Berman, Osgood, and others questioned the scope of the bill, whether it would affect schools, churches, cities, nonprofits, and green-card holders, and how the 287(g) provisions would work in practice. Gruters repeatedly said the operational focus was on jails and detention facilities, not street-level enforcement. A major point of controversy was the bill’s proposed mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of certain capital offenses. Senator Fine said the covered crimes were the most serious capital felonies, including murder, child sexual battery, destructive-device offenses causing death, and certain trafficking offenses, and argued the provision was intended to withstand constitutional challenge. Senator Pizzo raised Eighth Amendment concerns and questioned whether the bill could mandate death sentences. The tuition waiver provisions also drew extended debate: Fine said the state would save about $41 million by ending discounted tuition for undocumented students, while Democrats argued the savings would not return to general revenue and that the policy would harm students who are already enrolled. Fine and Gruters said green-card holders would not be affected and that the bill targeted only students in the country illegally. The discussion also covered appropriations and implementation. Senator Smith asked about the bill’s large funding levels, and Fine broke down the spending as including $375 million for the chief immigration officer, $100 million in grants to local law enforcement, $29 million for the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and $10 million for an unauthorized-alien transport program. Gruters said the funds would reimburse local governments and help address staffing shortages, while critics questioned the lack of benchmarks and the fiscal impact. No final vote or disposition on the bill appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that we move are largely um uh federal that we move are largely um uh federal funds<00:40:09.400
• </c> for housing they flow from three federal for housing they flow from three federal agencies<00:40
• </c> performer in terms of the administration performer in terms of the administration of<00:52:25.760
• </c> wondering to what extent does Federal wondering to what extent does Federal funding<01:37:06.679
• </c> what I do know is that our federal what I do know is that our federal emergency<01:41:00.400><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• On the Administrative Procedures Act, they did go through this On the Administrative Procedures Act,
• What was one of the first things this administration did?
• It's an example of who this administration reveres, who this administration honors, and who this administration
• That is what this administration is talking about.
• administration.

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate. Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a federal program. It's a federal program.
• Again, this is a federal program.
• </c> really the basics from the federal really the basics from the federal government<00:33:39.880><c
• Again, this is a federal program.
• </c><05:19:27.798><c> and</c> left is our business administrator and left is our business administrator

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And over the last four years alone, federal directives passed by the Biden administration. imposed a
• Examples of these unconstitutional federal directives include the Biden administration issuing burdensome
• While I don't anticipate the Trump administration issuing federal directives that overstep our state's
• The last four years, the Biden administration administration have proved how harmful regulatory overreach
• But it's also the concept of federalism that spreads power between the states and the federal government

Bills: SB18 , SB19 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB 18 , SB 19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• lands onto non-federal from federal lands onto non-federal lands.<00:49:25.760><c> Wyoming</c><00:49
• </c> federal responsibility. federal responsibility.
• , our federal delegation.
• federal land management with federal federal land management agencies,<03:08:45.840><c> with</c><03:
• </c> the federal our federal delegation. the federal our federal delegation.

Committee: Joint Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Nick is not just a federal bureaucrat.
• So we're at the federal level trying to simplify workforce development to say, rather than have 43 federally
• So my question was this: there's some federal programs that have federal guidelines that we go by, and
• It's more at the federal level.
• Most instances, it's not always just going to be federal funds.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Nick Moore, acting assistant secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, focused on integrating workforce, education, training, and human services systems. Moore argued that federal programs under WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA should be aligned more closely, with fewer administrative layers, more state flexibility, and stronger use of labor market information to steer training toward in-demand jobs. He emphasized combined state plans, streamlined reporting, cross-training staff, integrated intake and case management, and better use of tools such as apprenticeships, talent marketplaces, and co-enrollment with SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid to help people overcome benefit cliffs and move into work. Moore also criticized current workforce outcomes, saying too much money is spent on overhead and too few participants end up employed in jobs related to their training. He urged states to reduce duplicative one-stop centers, improve transparency in budgeting, modernize data systems, and use performance measures tied to labor force participation, training-related employment, and retention. Members asked about balancing flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” statewide waivers, and data-sharing systems such as Mississippi’s workforce technology efforts. Moore said the department wants to help states get to “yes” on innovative ideas, but that some changes would require congressional action. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates. They said the agency had compiled and posted responses to more than 100 public comments, had recommended that the governor keep current rates in place, and expected the executive review process to take about 30 to 60 days. A senator asked for clarification on the legislation requiring monthly verbal and written reports. The meeting then adjourned, with members noting a later presentation on an audit of state programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• That they have for a federal 100% match. This aligns with that program.
• That they have for a federal 100% match. This aligns with that program.
• Just removes administrative burden, so it just removes the five-year period limitation. ...removes administrative
• Yeah, it just removes the administrative burden.
• Seeing none, we will now go to Federalism. Committee on Federalism, page 49-2006.

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of bills, mostly in health, education, commerce, federalism, and government. In health, members discussed radiology technology updates (HB 2050), a tribal Medicaid waiver/drawdown measure with no state cost (HB 2177), an emergency medicine study committee (HB 2183), fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements (HB 2184), a physician assistant licensure compact (HB 2190), dementia care telemonitoring funding (HB 2202), SNAP error-rate reduction and fraud/eligibility oversight bills (HB 2206, HB 2442, HB 2797), child welfare protections like credit freezes and recorded interviews (HB 2321, HB 2322), and podiatric licensure compacts (HB 2438). Several of these were described as consent-calendar items, while HB 2206 and the SNAP-related measures drew discussion about fraud reduction, administrative burden, and work requirements. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendors and local permits (HB 2118), earned wage access services with fee caps and disclosure rules (HB 2309), CPA licensure changes (HB 2476), cash acceptance for retail purchases under $100 (HB 2555), drone delivery and unmanned aircraft guardrails (HB 2875), timeshare salesperson licensing (HB 2877), and a prohibition on state-mandated social credit scoring in lending decisions (HB 2903). The tax and retirement-related items included 529 plan conformity and Roth IRA transfer rules (HB 2477), annual tax conformity to the Internal Revenue Code (HB 2785), ASRS technical and disability-related changes (HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 2092), and a bill on employee health insurance definitions (HB 2089). The Arizona Commerce Authority bill (HB 2754) would add legislative members to the board and shift more control over trade offices and Arizona Competes Fund spending to the legislature. The education section focused heavily on school governance and finance. Bills included patriotic youth group presentations in schools (HB 2312), school board term limits (HB 2318), mandatory training for governing board members (HB 2379), independent municipal advisors for bond elections (HB 2320), restrictions on districts buying operating charter/private school sites to game enrollment formulas (HB 2376), conflict-of-interest limits for school facilities board architects and engineers (HB 2378), public meeting and travel transparency rules for districts (HB 2380), limits on long-term school property leases and reporting requirements (HB 2384), tighter bidding rules for school construction job orders using Building Renewal Grant funds (HB 2482), and a voluntary computer science proficiency seal (HB 2764). Sponsors repeatedly framed these as transparency, accountability, and anti-abuse measures, while some opposition centered on local flexibility, housing use, and existing training providers. In federalism and government, the committee heard bills to give counties more time to mail sample ballots (HB 2006), require courts to identify veterans at first appearance for possible veterans court referral (HB 2226), study veterans’ awareness of benefits (HB 2406), broaden military leave protections (HB 2663), require SAVE verification for voter registration and certain state services (HB 2806), require U.S.-sourced voting machine components by 2029 (HB 2901), affirm the Electoral College (HB 2902), and establish due process protections for justice of the peace courts against outside administrative action (HB 2976). Government committee items included a later deadline for library trustees’ annual reports (HB 2129), a two-year limit on certain adult protective services reports to the Attorney General (HB 2228), and an exemption for public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ spa rules (HB 2439). Several bills were reported as consent-calendar items, and a number of sponsors noted committee votes, fiscal neutrality, or favorable testimony in support of the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that our federal funding was pretty stable from FY14 to FY19, with the largest portion of
• It only includes the largest funding sources that are set up in federal law.
• with disabilities when we receive that federal funding.
• Of the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee, how is that being looked at?
• Federal committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state management federal mineral leases. state management federal mineral leases.
• by federal funds.
• The federal government gives us the money we appropriate then to spend on the administration of this
• </c> for the administration of the program. for the administration of the program.
• </c> are paid 100% by the federal government. are paid 100% by the federal government.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we can pretend for one second that this federal administration cares about victims of crime
• </c><00:36:49.240><c> administration</c> second that this federal administration second that this federal
• Last year, many of us said we are really worried about the things coming down from the federal administration
• </c> coming down from the federal coming down from the federal administration<00:37:21.200><c> and</c
• </c><00:46:43.240><c> administration</c> dirty work of the federal administration dirty work of the federal

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14. Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion. Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• personal information through an administrative subpoena.
• Despite the federal and state constitutional right to freedom of speech, administrative subpoenas are
• These administrative subpoenas do not require judicial approval or probable cause.
• You're tying the hands of federal law enforcement. The bill doesn't apply to state.
• with the administration and disagree with ICE's actions is incredibly disturbing.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• For the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
• personal information through an administrative subpoena.
• Federal immigration enforcement.
• Despite the federal and state constitutional right to freedom of speech, administrative subpoenas are
• For example, a New York Times article Criticism of the federal government.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some administrative regs that we will go over.
• We have five administrative regs in your packet.
• </c> comply with the U with the Federal comply with the U with the Federal Regulation<00:18:23.400><c
• </c> update and our compliance with federal update and our compliance with federal law<00:19:03.960><
• federal federal guidelines<00:21:12.159><c> you</c><00:21:12.279><c> all</c><00:21:12.400><c> know</

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and heard a personal privilege statement praising Transportation Cabinet staff for helping a constituent obtain a Kentucky Uniform ID in time to board a cruise. The chair also recognized special guests and noted a page for the day. The main bill taken up was Senate Bill 99, with a committee substitute adopted before discussion. Senate Bill 99, sponsored by Senator Douglas, would strengthen Kentucky’s distracted-driving laws by prohibiting the use of personal communication devices to write, send, or read texts while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions for emergency or public safety use and certain reporting or medical situations. The committee substitute clarified that GPS use remains allowed, including for younger drivers, and the bill also bars anyone under 18 from using a device in any manner while driving, sets a $100 fine with no points, and imposes a 90-day license revocation for minors. Supportive testimony and comments emphasized pedestrian and roadway safety, the dangers of distracted driving, and the bill’s alignment with existing CDL-related restrictions. After discussion, the committee voted on Senate Bill 99 by roll call and reported it favorably with the committee substitute attached. Members explaining their votes said the measure would save lives, reflected practices already used in trucking and bus operations, and was a reasonable enforcement approach similar to prior seat belt laws. The committee then received an informational update on five Transportation Cabinet administrative regulations, which were described as updates for federal compliance, signage standards, truck weight-limit renumbering, an OHV pilot program extension, and expanded electronic review of title applications; no substantive objections were raised. The meeting concluded with discussion of adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• administrations and federal funding, much of the time through continuing resolutions.
• So is the low bar to meet the E&T requirement from federal law or rule or HHSC? It's federal.
• That's a federal... that's a federal between the two, between the two.
• The previous federal administration started pushing VR to really go higher ed as a solution for workforce
• The previous federal administration started pushing VR to really go as higher at, you know, pushing higher

Summary: The Sunset Advisory Commission convened for the 2026-27 review cycle, established a quorum, approved its review schedule and the January 15, 2025 meeting minutes, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Kolkhorst and Vice Chair Hall emphasized the commission’s role in reviewing state agencies for efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Sunset staff then gave an overview of the process and noted that 16 agencies and entities are under review this cycle, representing about a third of the state budget. The main staff presentation focused on the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC), and the Purchasing from People with Disabilities Program. Sunset staff said TWC needs stronger oversight of local workforce development boards, better coordination and communication with those boards, and improved IT and data systems. Other recommendations included transferring TWC’s career schools and colleges regulatory program to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, improving vocational rehabilitation integration and structure, strengthening child care fraud oversight and unemployment insurance fraud penalties, improving child care subsidy data and communication with DFPS, continuing TWC for 12 years, and retaining the Purchasing from People with Disabilities Program while removing its separate sunset date. Staff also recommended continuing TWIC for 12 years while removing outdated functions. Members questioned staff extensively about local board performance, IT failures, fraud recovery, child care oversight, and SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). Several members argued that IT contractors and agencies should be held more accountable, and that real-time data and stronger enforcement tools are needed. Staff said TWC’s current systems and processes limit effective oversight, that child care fraud investigations are inconsistent across the 28 boards, and that the unemployment insurance fraud penalty is lower than in other states. They also said SNAP E&T participation is hampered by low standards, limited funding, and structural inefficiencies between HHSC, TWC, and local boards. TWC leadership and TWIC leadership generally agreed with the staff report and said they were already working on many of the recommendations. TWC officials said the agency has grown significantly since its last review and acknowledged problems with IT modernization, board communication, and some oversight processes. TWIC officials supported continuing the council and said its role as the neutral state workforce board is important under federal law, while agreeing to eliminate outdated functions and update procedures. No final substantive action was taken on the agency recommendations during this portion of the meeting beyond the earlier approvals of the schedule and minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Neil Miira, who is our budget administrator.
• I have Neil Miira, who is our budget administrator.
• </c><00:16:07.360><c> uh</c><00:16:07.519><c> good</c> Mizuno ETF administrator uh good Mizuno ETF administrator
• </c><00:32:08.440><c> shutdown</c> be facing once again a federal shutdown be facing once again a federal
• administration administration do<00:34:58.640><c> what</c><00:34:58.800><c> he</c><00:34:59.000><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to re-emphasize the fact that it's not against you guys; it's against the federal administration
• But federal law—you mentioned Senator Padilla—is moving a bill at the federal level.
• But federal law, you mentioned Senator Padilla, is moving a bill at the federal law.
• Wearing a federal badge does not make you a god, despite what this administration may think of itself
• Wearing a federal badge does not make you a god, despite what this administration may think of itself

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:32.560><c> executive</c> Okata administrative executive Okata administrative executive specialist
• </c><00:14:12.560><c> government</c><00:14:12.959><c> cuts</c> um federal government cuts um federal
• </c> restrictions from the administration? restrictions from the administration?
• </c> funded positions for federal school. funded positions for federal school.
• Um, as far as federal million.