Transcript Highlights:

• Barbara Rental Property Association, Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, and the East
• because we have building codes.
• It protects the property itself. And the property is 2025, yeah? Yes. But I get what you're saying.
• Transfer it to a different property.
• Property owners should work with local government to clean up the toxins on the property, and rent must

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I'll note that it's already embodied in Penal Code Section 1473.5.
• A hug should not depend on the zip code of where a child is detained.
• a public park or property.
• without the consent of the owner or upon a public park or property.
• The only current tools are basically code violations for land use.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A5.
• I have property in Minnesota. I pay property taxes on it.
• property in Minnesota I pay property property in Minnesota I pay property taxes<01:56:45.199>
• > pays<02:01:31.719> property Minnesota and pays property Minnesota and pays property taxes
• property tax or property direct property tax liability<02:04:20.599> in<02:04:20.679> order

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Century Code, for us, we have adopted the International Fire Code 2021 version.
• Under the Century Code for us, we have adopted the International Fire Code 2021 version.
• In addition, the Fire Code Commentary describes the code as a companion fire and life safety code to
• the Building Code.
• authority to adopt and enforce building code, fire code, those types of things.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• property tax relief.
• There's $3 billion in new property tax relief provided pursuant to requirements in the Education Code
• And my final question is the circuit breaker for properties, non-homesteaded properties of $5 million
• All property taxes because property taxes are affected by multiple government municipalities.
• value, property tax relief.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• property, please leave.
• <00:30:22.399> and when you are on your own property and when you are on your own property
• <00:30:25.440> And private property, please leave. And private property, please leave.
• our property rights. our property rights. Thank<00:36:02.720> you.
• it doesn't say that it's your property it doesn't say that it's your property in<00:57:38.400>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many benefits of these newer codes.
• Even today those houses compare well to the houses that are built to current codes today.
• And they're building homes that currently exceed the codes of the current building codes.
• The cost to meet these new codes has been greatly overstated by some.
• Shoring up the building code, as Renee pointed out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code.
• property tax relief.
• There's $3 billion in new property tax relief provided pursuant to requirements in the Education Code
• There's $3 billion in new property tax relief provided pursuant to requirements in the Education Code
• value, property tax relief.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:13:18.160> affordable from property tax relief, affordable from property tax relief,
• in property tax, current use property in property tax, current use property taxes,<00:14:02.720>
• <00:26:29.840> and long-term uncertainty, property and long-term uncertainty, property and
• And when somebody comes in to buy property or somebody wants to sell their property in an appraisal,
• they're leasing with property owners? they're leasing with property owners?

Bills: HB61, HB176, SB12

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• trying to understand if local governments have the ability to access the service lateral on private property
• The first of which are the implications for private property.
• , commercial property or school. >> That is the bill.
• Having waived close senators choose to adopt Substitute Amendment bar code 6, 9, 6, 2, 4, 6, It will
• We're going to move on to tab 8 Senate Bill. 8, 3, 0, regarding lost or abandoned property.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , 1502.057, Local Government Code, and case law.
• , 1502, 057, local government code, and case law.
• And it took the cap from 8% to 3.5% in our cities on property taxes.
• I’m getting that data for this property tax conversation.”
• I'm advocacy director for South Texans Property Rights Association.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's obviously going to require a change to the property tax code to Required even though it wasn't a
• It's obviously going to require a change to the property tax code to Reiterate the fact that these short-term
• rentals are residential properties and should remain residential properties.
• We've taken residential property that has been historically residential property.
• But I really feel like, so they're income-producing properties, but they're residential properties.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is, again, updating the recidivism statute that we've had in code.
• And so, well, that I guess has a problem because there is no 61-2-10-C in code.
• That's not—there's a 61-2-10-C in code. That's not—there's a 61-2-10-C in code.
• I don't believe it's in the code. Yeah, that's how it came. That's fine.
• Yeah, I do believe that that's not in the code. I think you're correct. Okay. All right.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is it grants a property right in an individual's name, likeness, and voice.
• It lays out how that property right can be transferred or contracted out or inherited.
• The last bill that is before us is, um, we are simply bringing forth the code sections of IHL.
• So, at this time I would recognize Senator Delano for a motion that we bring forth those code sections
• sections um of bringing forth the code sections um of IHL.<00:09:49.360> um<00:09:49.519>

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard an explanation of a bill dealing with confidentiality of certain contracts between students, the university, and personnel reviewing those contracts. The measure would require those agreements and their terms to be kept confidential except as otherwise provided by law or court order, and it would set out damages and remedies for unauthorized disclosure, including by agents. The committee then moved title sufficient and do pass, with committee substitute, and the motion carried. Senator Blackman presented SB 2046, a bill that would create a property right in an individual’s name, likeness, and voice, including rules for transfer, contract, inheritance, penalties for misuse, and First Amendment protections. Senator Leno offered a reverse repealer amendment, which was adopted, and the committee then voted title sufficient, do pass, committee substitute. The committee next discussed SB 2208, creating the Mississippi Public University Governance Study Commission to review system-level governance, accountability, oversight, and coordination among public institutions of higher learning. The sponsor said the commission would study other states, including Florida and Tennessee, report by December 1, and dissolve January 1 of the following year, with support from the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review. After questions about comparable models and the goals of the study, the committee voted title sufficient, do pass. Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, the Safe Dormitories Act, which would require public institutions of higher learning and community colleges to report on dormitory safety policies, including coeducational and single-sex housing arrangements, bathrooms, curfews, and age requirements. Members questioned whether the report could already be requested without codifying it and asked about a fiscal note; the sponsor said there was no fiscal note. Senator Deleno moved to table the bill, and the motion carried. The committee then took up a final measure simply bringing forth IHL code sections, with the sponsor saying the committee was still working with the College Board on related factors; the committee voted title sufficient, do pass, and then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it has always been in code that they can voluntarily work together on these projects.
• They are doing some of that now, and this kind of puts it in code, going to page 3 next, page 4 really
• They are doing some of that now, and this kind of puts it in code.
• It's not just because you don't meet the code; it's how that system is functioning.
• When we look at that system, it may not meet the code, but it works.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2276, which addresses water projects that cross county lines. Senator Larry Luick and Danny Quissel of the North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association explained that the bill would require joint boards for multi-county projects, with equal representation from each county, and would add a dispute-resolution process: mediation through the Agriculture Department, then appeal to the Department of Water Resources, and finally court if needed. An additional cleanup amendment was adopted to clarify that a district could proceed if a joint board or district refused to participate. Members raised concerns about possible county-versus-county litigation, but the committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 2276 as amended on an 11-0-2 roll call. The committee then heard the final bill of the day, Senate Bill 2267, on on-site wastewater treatment systems. DEQ Director Dave Glott presented a revised amendment reflecting prior discussion and input from local public health units and installers. The proposal would give the Department of Environmental Quality exclusive rulemaking authority, require public health units to inspect systems within 24 hours, allow MOUs with neighboring counties or health units, prohibit local rules that conflict with state standards, and create a state licensing system for installers while exempting homeowners working on their own property. It also set up permitting and appeals procedures, civil penalties for violations, and a $99,000 appropriation, with the department saying it would also rely on fee revenue and report back later on whether the program is working. Members asked about homeowner installation, local permitting, technical assistance, and whether the $99,000 appropriation and expected fees would be sufficient. Glott said homeowners could still consult with local health units and would likely still need permits, and estimated fees might be around $200 per year for installers, generating roughly $50,000 annually. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 2267 as amended on a due-pass motion, with one no vote recorded. The chair then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• District: the power to take your money, to take your property, to take your freedom, to take your children
• It's Chapter 161.001B10 of the Family Code. 161.001 of the Family Code, and it allows a parent's rights
• parents in these cases have vigorous legal representation, and we need to make sure that our family code
• parents in these cases have vigorous legal representation, and we need to make sure that our family code
• is not stacking the deck against the parents before the cases even begin. code is not stacking the deck

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session under HCR 5 to hear an address from Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick introducing him. The session included recognition of the justices, judges, law enforcement officers, and interpreters present, and it also marked the formal completion of the joint session once the address ended. Chief Justice Blacklock said the state of the judiciary is strong, while paying tribute to former Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and thanking Governor Abbott for his appointment. His remarks focused on judicial administration and public safety, including a call for a 30% increase in district judge salaries, which he argued is needed to attract and retain qualified judges. He also urged support for law enforcement, backed efforts to keep violent offenders in custody pending trial, and said the court is gathering data to identify underperforming judges and use constitutional remedies where necessary. Blacklock emphasized that Texas courts should interpret statutes and the constitution according to text and original meaning, rejecting the “living constitution” approach. He highlighted reforms to improve efficiency and reduce litigation costs, including changes to docketing practices, civil procedure, and the regulation of legal services, and he urged the State Bar to remain politically neutral. He also discussed family law and child welfare, arguing for stronger legal representation for parents and suggesting repeal of Family Code subsection O, which he said can unfairly lead to termination of parental rights. The joint session concluded after his remarks, and the House stood at ease as guests departed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It fills a federal gap by adding nondiscrimination chapters to three Financial Code divisions covering
• It fills a federal gap by adding nondiscrimination chapters to three financial code divisions covering
• else you can tell us on behalf of California's Business Roundtable and the California Business Properties
• else you can tell us on behalf of California's Business Roundtable and the California Business Properties
• industry made a few points today about some additional items, such as the bill's reference to a Civil Code

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Payroll and property are no longer any part of their underlying tax basis.
• It's not easy to develop on state property.
• It's not easy to develop on state property.
• AB 2705 mirrors the State Controller's unclaimed property framework under the Civil Code and Code of
• I do unclaimed property work in other states.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with tax policy, local revenue authority, consumer protections, and incentives for development. AB 1726 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the General Fund and Prop. 98 impact. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve local transaction and use taxes to offset projected federal funding cuts affecting health care and safety-net services; it received broad support from health providers and county representatives, opposition from one member and a resident, and passed the committee 5-2 to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also considered AB 1790, which would repeal the Waters Edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. The author and supporters argued it would close a loophole, raise several billion dollars annually, and help fund schools, Medi-Cal, and other programs; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After extensive testimony and member debate, the bill was referred to suspense. AB 2020 would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069 would create a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects at fairgrounds; both measures had support from sponsors and related organizations, no opposition, and were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705 would regulate third-party “asset finders” who help claim excess proceeds from tax sales by requiring written agreements, disclosure that claims can be filed free with the county, and a cap on fees at 10%. County officials and local government groups supported the bill as a consumer protection measure, while recovery companies and related firms opposed it, arguing the work is complex and the cap would reduce access to services. The committee moved AB 2705 to the Assembly floor on a 4-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• things like international building code things like international building code incorporating<01
• Paid the property owner three or four million dollars.
• . 70% is uh Colorado is private property. 70% is uh public<02:16:18.079> lands.
• :35.679> four<02:17:35.840> million property owner three or four million property owner
• transportation, and we had a wrong code transportation, and we had a wrong code for<03:22:46.960

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A44.
• The amendment is coded A44.
• The amendment is coded A44.
• The amendment is coded A44.
• amendment is coded A45. amendment is coded A45.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.