Transcript Highlights:

• , building code and frankly, rightfully so 11, Florida.
• As we see the Florida building code is changing often.
• You have a code to strong statewide to you, bill, to a code in to inspect to it, too.
• If we change it every 3 years and have a new code, you see to the code.
• In that regard, the building code changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And support the fire department so much, and you have a great sheriff.
• However, there is more data coming out regarding wildland fires as well. Thank you, Mr.
• And then the Black Fire, Camp Fire, Skyline Fire, Seven Springs Fire.
• So, being that each local fire chief, Mr.
• ... ...that would be under our criminal code, the federal criminal code, and specifically filing the

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans in their homes and reduce the risk of homelessness or housing instability by ensuring the tax code
• Well, hypothetically, we have a fire that's raging near the border of Arizona and California.
• Well, hypothetically, we have a fire that's raging near the border of Arizona and California.
• Bond Act on the 2026 ballot before voters on the November 3 election, and that election will be statewide
• And furthermore, CalVet offers competitive, competitively priced casualty and fire And furthermore, CalVet

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California. Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants. The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation sources are 42% of the risk from air pollution statewide, and the risks from transportation
• and it comes tests when we have fires and it comes down<00:37:29.760> through<00:37:30.440>
• Our criminal code is designed to spell out prohibited conduct and prescribe punishment for violating
• our criminal code is designed to<00:59:01.799> spell<00:59:02.079> out<00:59:02.240>
• You can’t yell fire in an elevator either.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Healthcare Affordability last time this subcommittee held a hearing, and we looked at the statewide
• Budgets are proportionally reduced based on the statewide staffing, excuse me, the state figure that
• How do we light a fire under this to get some urgency? There's definitely a fire under this.
• . ...pediatric specialty physicians statewide.
• This is not something we take lightly; it lights a fire under us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've identified that we want to make some amendments to code.
• Currently, code identifies that the Pueblo Tribal Nation will work with the superintendent to determine
• We can identify that; the team can identify that by looking at the class code.
• So this... is Adopted Rule 660.11 New Mexico Administrative Code.
• . 664.10 New Mexico Administrative Code.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we looked at their taxable sales data by the 5132 NAICS code, which is software publishers.
• I know you called it the LA fires, but just— District to deal with the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• And in terms of that statewide number, why?
• There are people who are in house because of the fires that happen that we heard about.
• I really appreciate your words and your fire. It motivated me.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have data by industry, so we looked at their taxable sales data by the 5132 NAICS code, which is
• I know you called it the L.A. fires, but just... district to deal with the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• There are people who are in house because of the fires that happen that we heard about.
• There are people who are chronically homeless. ...of the fires that happened that we heard about.
• I really appreciate your words and your fire. It motivated me.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we going to apply the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code?
• Are we going to apply the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code?
• That's consistent with many other tax exemptions that are currently in the code.
• , police, fire, education.
• This bill applies the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:37:42.399> strategy for something like statewide strategy for something like statewide
• 21.760> to1<02:44:22.240> billion full statewide systems 500 to1 billion full statewide
• Some were fired for union activity.
• That is undemocratic. lost benefits, and firings. Some were lost benefits, and firings.
• A judge fired for union activity.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this would have statewide impact.
• I think this would have statewide impact. It would create.
• I think this would have statewide impact.
• This is something I don't think is something I want to do statewide unless it's necessary.
• Well, it's newer than the Alcohol Code. That came to prohibition.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute removes a conflicting provision from the Health and Safety Code. but this provision
• Sub to Chapter A, Chapter 1001 of the Health Safety Code to require health and Human Services Commission
• House Bill 1747 is Vice Chair Compost's bill, which will amend the government code to establish the mental
• HB 4420 addresses the gap, this bill directs HHSC to conduct a comprehensive statewide assessment of
• A statewide mandate. It does not require a community to adopt this model.

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:19.760> tell our home delivery clients Statewide tell our home delivery clients Statewide
• education system regardless of zip code education system regardless of zip code but<01:23:18.199
• <02:24:24.960> nonprofit Hampshire we are a Statewide nonprofit Hampshire we are a Statewide
• We request an increase in billing code H43 support of housing services under CFI.
• We request an increase in billing code H43 support of housing services under CFI.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fire away. All right.
• <01:15:46.480> of well commission also has a code of well commission also has a code of conduct
• <01:29:36.040> standards develop generic Statewide standards develop generic Statewide standards
• I agree with President Trump: the science of forestry would have prevented that fire.
• there for two years they bulldo uh fire there for two years they bulldo uh fire brakes<01:42:41.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is in the process of building a new Regional Public Safety Center that will house EMS, police, and fire
• :14:10.480> and Center that will house EMS police and Center that will house EMS police and fire
• what's unique is this Regional fire what's unique is this Regional Center<00:14:13.839> will<
• 2022 and see what the uh Statewide 2022 and see what the uh Statewide impact<00:37:50.200> um
• um and um um a um or a limited code um and um um a um or a limited liability<01:09:34.799> company

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and recreational hub, as well as to fund shovel-ready projects for wildlife refuges and wetlands statewide
• Because when we negotiated this last year, the focus on high-speed rail and Cal Fire, the Governor's
• Because when we negotiated this last year, the focus on high-speed rail and Cal Fire, the governor's
• And then we get the January proposed budget, and $750 billion of that is going to Cal Fire, which is
• Amounts of GGRF that would be identified to offset General Fund costs for CAL FIRE.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 8 establishes a clear statewide standard.
• So we're creating different definitions for male and female in code. Under this bill, yes.
• Texas Values Action is the largest statewide Christian law and policy organization in Texas, Standing
• If y'all aren't familiar, we are the statewide domestic violence coalition representing programs and
• Not to mention hundreds of EMS and fire department personnel and other emergency management personnel

Bills: HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide average was, okay? statewide average was, okay?
• fires all the time.
• fires all the time.
• <03:08:56.000> fires the outdoor air we deal with fire fires the outdoor air we deal with
• fire fires all<03:08:56.720> the<03:08:56.840> time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if our programs are so great that they go statewide, that's our goal.
• office is not otherwise required to be open to fulfill official duties under the Florida Election Code
• . ...not otherwise required to be open to fulfill official duties under the Florida Election Code.
• In my early 20s, I lost my home in a house fire.
• My story is about a house fire. Thank you very much for your testimony. Hurricane season.

Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pro-eating-disorder content creators speak in code words that fly under the radar of restrictions.
• So Vermont recently enacted an age-appropriate design code that actually a portion of that law now is
• design code goes a bit further to... ...age-appropriate design code, but the Vermont age-appropriate
• We're never going to look at their code.
• I want to thank our digital navigators for the work that they do and our statewide partners.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.