Transcript Highlights:

• We also gave the Environment Regulatory Authority with the federal government regulating PFAS, specifically
• All of those settlement dollars are tied to specific mines and specific responsible parties.
• , from federal authority.
• We don't have any kind of authority to mandate specific trainings like what you're talking about.
• We don't have any kind of authority to mandate specific trainings like what you're talking about.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the author has a DE to the A1? No, actually, the other way around.
• They are appointed by the governor, and they are very agency-specific.
• We just heard the author say... I think we should stop discussion on this bill.
• <00:41:43.119> in moving the um some of the authority in moving the um some of the authority
• Chair, the OIG needs to have authority to oversee in the sense of looking at investigative authority

Bills: HF1, HF2

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• With immigration authorities.
• Yeah, happy to share a few specific examples here.
• So I don't want to get too specific into any sort of particular agency.
• So I don't want to get too specific into any sort of particular agency.
• So I want to share a story that is very specific.

Summary: The Tribal Relations Committee held a work session on the Keep Washington Working Act, hearing first from the Office of the Attorney General, then the Office of the Governor, and finally advocates from the ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and One America. The Attorney General’s office described the 2019 bipartisan law as limiting state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, emphasizing minimal data collection, privacy protections, definitions in the statute, model policies for agencies, and the role of court orders and federal funding exceptions. Committee members asked about consistency in legal guidance, possible federal challenges, and whether the law has been litigated in Washington or elsewhere; the office said it has not been challenged in Washington and cited similar laws in other states that have been upheld or dismissed in litigation. The governor’s office said the administration is implementing the law across agencies through case-by-case review of data-sharing requests, coordination with the Attorney General and privacy officials, and a new executive order creating an immigration sub-cabinet to improve agency coordination and community input. Officials said the state will continue to protect immigrant communities, avoid using state resources for civil immigration enforcement, and comply with federal funding requirements where necessary, citing Medicaid and other programs as examples. They also discussed recent court rulings in Washington that blocked federal grant conditions tied to immigration enforcement and said agencies are being trained to review data privacy and sharing practices. Advocates argued that Keep Washington Working is grounded in anti-commandeering principles and is meant to ensure state resources are used for state purposes, not federal immigration enforcement. They said the law helps immigrant communities trust police, schools, and public services, but warned that data sharing and aggressive federal enforcement are eroding that trust and harming families. The panelists described cases involving alleged unlawful local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, family separation, detention, and due process concerns, and suggested possible improvements such as stronger enforcement mechanisms, a private right of action, and broader limits on data sharing. No votes or formal actions were taken; the committee closed the hearing after members thanked the presenters and invited follow-up on implementation issues and potential legislative changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the author, and I'd like to be listed as a co-author at the appropriate time.
• So I congratulate you and thank you for being here, and thank the author.
• We have no other authors here from this. We have no other authors here from the assembly.
• But we were told that the author intends for the bill to apply to our websites as well.
• Another example is one provision specifically... ...Another example is one provision specifically references

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• finally, I would like to point to the final five appropriations, which focus on the Health Care Authority
• So, the Health Care Authority was authorized by the Federal Medicaid Waiver Program, or 1115 Waiver Program
• Importantly, the authority estimates that per individual per month receiving MAT services, the cost is
• Is it something that the pharmacy board has to authorize to happen?
• Unlike other MAT options, methadone requires specific certification and accreditation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That meant that we spent more money than we were authorized to spend in our GRC.
• And specifically, she...
• and specifically she ...recommendations to create deterrents for wrongdoing.
• This is a very specific... Have their insurance claims settled.
• And I'm an author. Rosa and Coffee Park. And I'm an author, among other things.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over $40 billion in wildfire costs have been authorized for recovery in just the past five years.
• authority to determine what portion of those payments are passed on to ratepayers.
• That meant that we spent more money than we were authorized to spend in our GRC.
• This is a very specific... ...have their insurance claims settled.
• And I'm an author, among other things. I am an author, among other things.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and broader options for reforming California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the scale of wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh trade-offs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described long delays in compensation, housing insecurity, and what they viewed as a system that protects utility shareholders more than victims. They urged greater transparency, clearer accountability for utility spending and safety performance, faster and fuller compensation for survivors, and reforms such as independent audits and better alignment of utility incentives with wildfire prevention and restitution. The second panel began with Tom Welsh of the California Earthquake Authority, who explained that the SB 254 report was intended as a broad inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations. He described the report’s process, including stakeholder submissions, workstreams, and a convergence process, and outlined the current wildfire fund structure: utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims after a covered wildfire, and the CPUC later determines prudency and possible reimbursement back to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon summarized compensation data, saying utilities paid about $38 billion between 2017 and 2024, with major shares going to injured parties, insurers, and public entities, while litigation costs and survivors’ own losses remain substantial. He noted that legal fees and delays reduce the amount survivors ultimately receive. Utility and public-interest witnesses offered differing views on the report’s pathways. PG&E’s Tyson Smith said the report shows inaction is the worst outcome and argued for community wildfire risk reduction, equitable allocation of catastrophe costs, and state-led resilience tools. LADWP’s Fernando Valero emphasized the vulnerability of municipal utilities and cities, and supported inverse condemnation reform, a state-sponsored liability insurance framework, damages and subrogation limits, and stronger insurance access. Consumer Attorneys of California’s John Fisk argued that IOU-caused fires are not natural disasters but the result of negligence and sometimes criminal conduct, and opposed reducing utility liability while supporting stronger oversight and audits. The Public Advocates Office’s Nathaniel Skinner focused on affordability, saying ratepayers already bear large and growing wildfire costs and warning against shifting more costs onto bills without measurable risk reduction and tighter accountability. Committee members then began questioning witnesses about what counts as measurable mitigation, how to define full and fair compensation, and how any fast-pay process should work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the DOE authorization process is pretty straightforward.
• Bottom line is, DOE authorizes DOE reactors.
• And then on the DOE side for DOE authorization, it's very similar.
• Again, if you have specific questions, I can maybe use these to point out things.
• Idaho National Laboratory plays in very specific areas in this initiative.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of specifically citing the source, I don't know.
• Prior authorization requirements are creating these dangerous delays.
• I pushed prior authorization through, and I was available to her 24/7.
• This bill is very specific about this Saturday and Sunday.
• It's specifically defined under the 340B program as it was created in 1992.

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will now open the roll for co-authors. Members, this is for co-authors.
• I also encourage the author to consider streamlining I also encourage the author to consider streamlining
• And I want to thank the author.
• And I want to thank the author.
• And I think the author has done, where it's not appropriate, and I think the author has done an excellent

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• And certainly appreciate the author for bringing this bill.
• I just want to thank the author for bringing this bill.
• I appreciate the author where you're headed with this.
• So I would also love to be added as a co-author.
• And would also love to be added as a co-author. All right.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have no authority over the Texas Medical Board.
• Balance authority for the prescription monitoring program.
• But currently, what they used was the authority they have regarding opioids.
• That bill gave them the authority to reject any medical prescription.
• Add Texas State University System to the list of agencies authorized to purchase aircraft.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of the specific parts in this bill being addressed or some of the specific hurdles that we've
• Put within this because that's a very specific program using very specific technology that probably doesn't
• It also removes some unnecessary rulemaking authority.
• And give the state the legal authority to do so.
• Now I do out of respect of the author of this bill, I do.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the author. Senator King, do you yield? Yes, I do. Thank you, Senator.
• I specifically told him, "Don't tell me anything you're doing."
• It's just, it's just, I remember myself specifically asking you about him.
• I went over those districts specifically when I was doing the early layouts.
• I've been asked a number of times, no, I don't recall any specific.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• This specific language is dealing with third-party education.
• And I asked him specifically.
• Let's keep the questions to the bill author. Vice Chair Bernal is recognized.
• Girlhood is powerful, and so much growth happens with gender-specific programming.
• Please consider how the broad language of this bill specifically relates to DEI.

Bills: SB12, SB226, SB413, SB1049, SB1191, SB2398, SB571, SB2920, SB 12

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that was a Lowenthal co-author, a silent co-author.
• I've never seen a silent co-author in seven years, but that was the first.
• Oh yes, Lowenthal, I'd like to be added as a co-author. Absolutely. Absolutely.
• I want to thank the author and the sponsors for bringing this forward.
• Yeah, with the author like to us. Yes, vote. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have more specific numbers again later in the presentation.
• We do have more specific numbers again later in the presentation.
• <00:09:31.519> and did use that transfer Authority and did use that transfer Authority and
• Pzer, the DNR attorney, specifically.
• DNR attorney he asked him specifically DNR attorney he asked him specifically he<01:31:59.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was also important to identify which specific officials at the department were authorized to receive
• concerns that the federal authorities concerns that the federal authorities had<00:44:33.760>
• officials at the department specific officials at the department were<00:44:57.839> authorized
• <00:45:46.559> for required to provide an authorization for required to provide an authorization
• destroyed so so it's a very specific destroyed so so it's a very specific process<00:46:28.599><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Authority.
• We heard specifically about LGBTQ clubs. I don't recall specific. Testimony in regard to that.
• Would you characterize them as sex clubs, as the author did?
• I'm not advised the way the author did.
• Would you characterize them like the author did as sex clubs?

Bills: SB1637, SB1, HB300, SB2601, SB37, HB2011, HB3595, HB3071, SB12, HB3372, SB457, HB2067, SB2337, SB447, SB1506, SB1566, SB763, HB3556, SB13, SB2018, SB331, SB379, HB145, SB441, SB2878, HB2885, HB2017, HB5246, SB8, SB2308, SB1540, HB 119, SB1405, SB3059, SB15, SB568

Keywords: SB 1637, deadly conduct, Texas Penal Code, Section 22.05, firearm, gun, pointing a gun, recklessness presumption, peace officer, law enforcement, police, officer-involved shooting, use of force, justification, self-defense, defense of others, Chapter 9, criminal prosecution, Penal Code amendment, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not specifically regulate nurdles, despite repeated spill events.
• Members, any questions for the bill author?
• The chair will note that the bill authors laid this out today.
• But members, are there any questions for the bill author?
• Representative Morales-Shaw has authored a bill regarding this matter.

Bills: HB1341, HB1674, HB4028, SB2321

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions