Transcript Highlights:

• During session, the Association of Washington Cities gave great support for the legislation in terms
• So I'm always a little concerned about agencies, you know, kind of making work for themselves that's
• And thank you for the staff for the really superb work on the audit and the explanation to us in response
• And thank you for the staff for the really superb work on the audit and the explanation to us in response
• So we write the scope and objectives to inform our plans for field work.

Summary: At the April 8, 2026 JLARC meeting, members approved the January 7 minutes and recognized Marilyn Richter for more than 12 years of service to JLARC and the Citizens Commission. Staff then gave a legislative recap and work plan update, noting that JLARC staff presented to five committees during session, six bills or budget provisos implementing prior recommendations were enacted, and seven new study assignments were received. Members approved the updated 2025–2027 biennial work plan, including the new studies and the required 2027 lodging tax review. The committee also heard a presentation on a new post-meeting member survey tied to JLARC performance measures. Members then considered the final report on ignition interlock device compliance and monitoring. Staff reported that many drivers required to install ignition interlock devices do not do so, with installation rates rising with income, and identified problems in the Department of Licensing’s financial assistance program and coordination with the State Patrol. Both agencies said they concurred with JLARC’s recommendations to clarify responsibilities, formalize coordination, and develop a plan to increase installation rates. The committee approved the final report. Next, JLARC reviewed the final report on drug takeback fee setting and expenditures. Staff concluded that the Department of Health’s fee design limits full cost recovery and that the agency should publicly report oversight costs and activities; the legislature should revise the fee structure to better align with best practices. Members discussed whether the program should remain at DOH or be housed elsewhere, and adopted committee comments emphasizing transparency and future sunset review work before approving the final report. Finally, staff presented the scope and objectives for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard study, focusing on state-owned Tier 1 buildings and K-12 facilities in the first compliance cohort, with questions centered on compliance costs, energy savings, funding sources, fines, and possible workforce or budget impacts. The meeting ended with administrative announcements about upcoming meetings and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the committee staff for their exceptional hard work, especially Jasmine, for all
• I also want to thank the committee staff for their exceptional hard work, especially Jasmine, for all
• Every worker deserves to come to work without fear of being targeted for who they are.
• it so they can pay for their staff work.
• Many contractors do, of course, pay folks the prevailing wage for when the work is being done, but if

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• If we work for the public and collect the public dollars, we have a greater responsibility than people
• So thank you for your work there. Assembly Member Rogers. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And so they directly reimburse us for our cost to do that permitting work.
• And so they directly reimburse us for our cost to do that permitting work.
• I'm talking about timber harvest and utility work to prepare for wildfire and respond to wildfire.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the committee staff for their exceptional hard work, especially Jasmine, for all
• Every worker deserves to come to work without fear of being targeted for who they are.
• We are happy to support this and work with our committee and partners, and ask for an aye vote.
• it so they can pay for their staff work.
• folks for the time that they're actually performing the work.

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee. The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's not asking for a simpler system. She's asking for a system that works and is promised to her.
• Because as we're talking about, for example, We need to also be working on for students, because as we're
• Thank you, Chair, for continuing to press on this very important issue for our future world of work.
• with and for adult learners and evaluate what works for working-age adults.
• I defer to Finance, you know, for any other specifics, but generally that's sort of how it works for

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and thank you so much for your presentation and the work that y'all do.
• Every single person who works for FDOT is absolutely essential in times of... ...single person who works
• And they're still delivering the projects in their work program for normal operations.
• We work with two different federal agencies for emergency repairs of roads and bridges.
• Thank you, Secretary, for your presentation and all your great work.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• How it works right now is the department gets an appraisal for land.
• How it works right now is the department gets an appraisal for a land.
• There has been over $700 million paid for not working because we didn't have the early necessary works
• And operations funding is essential for making our transportation investments work.
• And operations funding is essential for making our transportation investments work.

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he is also somebody that has worked for Parks for 27 years. to be at the table, come on up to be
• > that was down for a week uh for that was down for a week uh for electrical<00:12:39.600><c> problems
• COT is working with the project schedule for the remaining campgrounds.
• COT is working with the project schedule for<00:13:57.760><c> the</c><00:13:57.920><c> remaining</c>
• because we've been asking for this for because we've been asking for this for three<00:41:56.880><c>

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design. The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery. Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sessions, but it doesn't seem to be working, because despite those efforts in previous sessions, people's
• Chairman Meyer, y'all have been working on this for months this session. Is that my understanding?
• First, I want to thank you for your hard work.
• that. of them for the work that they've done.
• We have professionals who work in this industry that work for the state of Texas.

Bills: SB4 , SB23 , SB3 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB34 , SB60 , SB75 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB1948 , SB2037 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB243 , SB627 , SB646 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB1358 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SB1762 , SB552 , HCR109 , SB2185 , SB4 , SB23 , SB3 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB34 , SB60 , SB75 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB1948 , SB2037 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB243 , SB627 , SB646 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB1358 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , HB2970 , HB 109 , SB2308

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now, just for the... to continue that discussion, like in my line of work in doing both CPS
• Thank you for all your work, by the way. Thank you. I know that J.J. World is not an easy place.
• Thank you, Representative Dutton, again, for bringing this bill. I hope that it works this time.
• I work at LifeWorks as a case manager for transitional living. ...and in diversion services.
• It doesn't work for them, it doesn't work for our community, and it doesn't work for long-term public

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:26.240><c> for</c> where my wife said she was working for where my wife said she was working
• He said his students were using AI to do their work for them.
• Yeah, go work for a company to train AI.
• work out for<03:35:56.239><c> you?
• Thanks for you guys are doing some good work.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and call the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee to order.
• This is a great bill for Naples City Airport.
• It gives it to the people, puts it out there for a vote, three people from inside Naples and then two
• We're trying to adequately satisfy his concerns and working through the process, but the client did want

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two local bills. Rep. Trabulsy presented HB 4011, which would expand the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District service boundary by 326 square miles, subject to a referendum. The bill received supportive public testimony from Ken Pruitt on behalf of St. Lucie County, drew no amendments or opposition, and was approved favorably by a 15-0 vote. Rep. Botana presented HB 4005 concerning the City of Naples Airport in Collier County. The bill would shift appointment authority from the City Council to a voter-approved structure with three members from Naples and two from the county. Joseph Salzberg, representing the City of Naples, testified that the city was respectfully opposed while it continued reviewing possible unintended consequences, though he said discussions with the sponsor were ongoing. There was no further public testimony or debate, and the committee passed the bill favorably by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I present for your consideration SB 972.
• The California Financing Law, also known as CFL, has a long history in statute and works well for traditional
• I would like to thank the sponsors for working with us over the past few years in landing on this specific
• We will keep the roll open for other members that may come in.
• Thank you very much to members for showing up and voting.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• for the extraordinary work recognized for the extraordinary work they<02:58:39.920><c> do.
• Thank you for your hard work.
• </c><04:56:30.718><c> on</c> and Godheimer for their work on uh on and Godheimer for their work on uh
• </c><05:18:41.520><c> vital</c> Godheimer, for his work on this vital Godheimer, for his work on this
• </c><05:59:42.160><c> Large</c> compensation for their work. Large compensation for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this has gotten to be quite an extensive uh amount of work for the agency.
• And uh amount of work for the agency.
• For the work we do at the BCA, it tends to be individuals that are wanted for, you know, a number of
• For the work we do at the BCA, it tends to be individuals that are wanted for, you know, a number of
• </c> deal of respect for her and the work deal of respect for her and the work that<02:19:16.639><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that probably works really well for most of our state, but the state's very diverse, um,
• So the bill calls for 85% to allow some room for utility costs.
• Thank you for your testimony and, and thank you for all you do to advocate for our seniors in Texas.
• This bill is a major win for taxpayers and a much-needed step toward a property tax system that works
• Yeah, thank you, Vice Chair Noble, for that, for that question.

Bills: HB148 , HB203 , HB360 , HB552 , HB 1244 , HB 1284 , HB1533 , HJR30 , HB148 , HB203 , HJR30

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: residential property, ad valorem tax, leasing, property appraisal, fair market rent, housing affordability, appraised value, tax limitation, housing market, affordable housing, leased residential real property, rent control, Texas Tax Code, property tax, residential leasing, homestead, tax code, appraisal review board, real estate sales, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• to do the lobbying work for them.
• There's a lot to work through. I know there's a long session. A lot to deal with.
• Just big thanks to the author and to the committee for all the hard work.
• I mean, we want those to be working. Taxpayer money was used for those things.
• And again, I want to thank your committee staff for working with us on this bill and for the excellent

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• transgender athletes for years, and it's working just fine.
• transgender athletes for years, and it's working just fine.
• </c> have worked their entire life for have worked their entire life for women's<02:32:10.960><c> rights
• She was awarded a medal for her work in the church by St.
• for her work in she was awarded a medal for her work in the<05:04:02.440><c> church</c><05:04:02.798

Transcript Highlights:

• for probably have been working on this for probably seven<02:25:00.319><c> months.
• Uh, Carolyn Browender who works for Senator Johnson Stewart.
• Uh, Carolyn Browender, who works for Senator Johnson Stewart.
• Uh, Carolyn Browender, who works for Senator Johnson Stewart.
• ><c> out</c><04:06:21.279><c> in</c> but uh for now, we'll work it out in but uh for now, we'll work

Transcript Highlights:

• I would first like to thank the Chair and committee staff for all the work on the bill and the improvements
• I think I was on my honeymoon for that hearing.
• Of note for this committee is, in a prior part of my career, I was for almost six years a Deputy Insurance
• my burner phone, I would ask for you to vote.
• Please call the roll for File Item 1, AB 493, Harabedian.

Committee: House Banking and Finance