Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure all cell phones and other communication devices are turned off or placed on silent mode
• In addition, the House is pleased to make an offer on the budget, referring to House Offer Number One

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure that your cell phones and all other communication devices are silenced.
• The highlighted numbers on the left side of the spreadsheets represent where we have made movement.

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met to review a Senate budget spreadsheet offer. Chair Lopez explained that highlighted yellow figures on the left side of the spreadsheet marked areas where the two chambers had made movement or likely reached agreement, with much of the remaining material already grayed out. Members described the Senate proposal as aggressive and said the House would review it and return with a response soon. The discussion was brief and focused on the status of budget negotiations rather than specific line items. Senator Brodeur was thanked for the offer, and both sides expressed that the conference process had been productive and that further progress was expected. No public testimony was offered. At the close of the meeting, members were reminded to watch for notice because the committee was operating under a one-hour limit. Representative Banks moved to rise, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Were there phone calls? I believe there were phone calls.
• We still do not have any sort of numbers or accounting for the number of books that were ultimately purchased
• Yes, that a number of state agencies contract with.
• If you look at the numbers, the overall enrollment numbers, those numbers were impacted by the work that
• Give me a number. I'm just saying I'm looking for a number. Give me a number.

Summary: The committee held a follow-up informational hearing on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library program, focusing on how state funds were used by the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP) and whether the program complied with statutory requirements. Chair and Senator Grove repeatedly questioned State Librarian Greg Lucas about delayed document production, the State Library’s decision to allow SRP to continue spending $4.8 million after the 2024 budget changes, and the lack of clear accounting for how many books were actually delivered to children. Lucas said the State Library had sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s advice, and ultimately received bank statements, invoices, and narrative reports that he said were satisfactory, though he acknowledged the committee should have been given the documents sooner. A major issue was whether SRP and its vendors used state funds for lobbying or influence efforts related to AB 157/SB 157, despite contract language prohibiting lobbying. The committee highlighted invoices and emails involving ChangeCraft and SAGE Strategies that appeared to coincide with legislative activity, while SRP representatives said their work was communications, stakeholder outreach, and board-directed advocacy, not lobbying. Members of SRP also defended their vendor selections and invoicing practices, explaining that the organization was in startup and transition mode, had multiple financial vendors for checks and balances, and was working to build infrastructure, local partnerships, and multilingual outreach capacity rather than directly buying books. The hearing also scrutinized specific expenditures, including roughly $581,000 to Shipyard for marketing and web/digital work, $110,000 to Lotus Financial Solutions, and a $5,000 grant to United Way of the California Capital Region. Senators argued the invoices were vague and the deliverables were not evident, pointing to a simple website, limited social media presence, and no clear evidence that some advertised campaigns ever went live. SRP witnesses said the work was part of a phased plan to establish a statewide foundation and that some assets and documentation had not yet been provided to the committee. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with the chair emphasizing the need for tighter oversight, clearer documentation, and better accountability for taxpayer funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, we want to be very, very clear that we believe the major changes OES Number two, we want
• That's the Emergency Number Association.
• That's the Emergency Number Association.
• Issue number four. Thank you for being here.
• We're now going to move to issue number five.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't know the number of misclassification reports, how is it possible for us to know the number
• If we don't know the number of misclassification reports, how is it possible for us to know the number
• The exact number is unknown.
• </c> is it possible for us to know the number is it possible for us to know the number of<00:09:58.920
• The exact number is referencing.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes it's taking a phone call.
• due process, then I would have had the opportunity to present witnesses who could testify to the number
• </c> Sometimes it's taking a phone call. Sometimes it's taking a phone call.
• present witnesses who could testify to present witnesses who could testify to the<00:21:36.720><c> number
• The number of vodka shooters that they found in the women's restroom off of the retiring room.

Committee: House Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, we want to be very, very clear that we believe the major changes OES Number two, we want
• That's the Emergency Number Association.
• Issue number four. Thank you for being here.
• We're now going to move to issue number five.
• And now we're going to move to issue number 6.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard updates from the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Department of Justice. Cal OES Acting Director Tina Curry described the department’s proposed budget, disaster response and recovery work, Los Angeles wildfire recovery, FEMA reimbursement delays, hazard mitigation grant applications, planning for major events like the FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympics, and the state’s next generation 911 priorities. Senators raised concerns about Operation Stonegarden, small-disaster recovery delays, FEMA reimbursement timing, VOCA funding, and the need for more detailed reporting on federal grants and recovery costs. The committee then focused on Next Generation 911. Cal OES staff said the current regional deployment encountered call-routing and transfer failures, leading the department to pause further rollout and propose a new phased plan centered on a statewide provider, followed by an open procurement for a long-term vendor. They said the plan is intended to improve reliability, simplify architecture, and support Los Angeles-area PSAPs ahead of the Olympics, with a target of full statewide transition by summer 2030. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause major changes until it receives more information, including a clearer explanation of the problems, alternatives considered, costs, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and oversight needs. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a joint oversight hearing and requesting quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress updates. The Department of Justice then presented its overall workload, emphasizing public safety enforcement, fentanyl and human trafficking prosecutions, housing enforcement, civil rights work, and extensive federal litigation against the Trump administration. DOJ said the additional federal accountability work has significantly increased staffing and overtime demands, though it has hired 44 additional employees. The committee also heard DOJ’s firearms workload proposal, including funding for SB 704 implementation, continued firearms IT modernization, and a proposed shift of Bureau of Firearms costs to the General Fund. The LAO recommended using special funds and loans instead of ongoing General Fund support where possible, and asked DOJ to develop a framework by January 2027 for determining which firearms and ammunition workload should be supported by fee revenue. The Department of Finance largely agreed with the need for SB 704 funding but disagreed with the LAO’s proposed loan approach for the firearms account.

Transcript Highlights:

• This recommendation is being made for a number of reasons.
• of reasons um many made for for a number of reasons um many of<00:30:10.600><c> you</c><00:30:10.720
• This proposal may result in a small number of products that may be prohibited again from registering
• This proposal may result in a small number of products that may be prohibited again from registering
• I'm going to just phone a friend here quick.

Bills: HF1063

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a bill number. We had text.
• We had a bill number. We affect them. We had a bill number. We had<00:28:15.120><c> text.
• And if I know that, sorry, my phone timed out.
• </c> I know that, sorry, my phone timed out. I know that, sorry, my phone timed out.
• Number two, in any town that I am aware.

Transcript Highlights:

• MAKE SURE CELL PHONES AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES ARE TURNED OFF. WE WANT TO WELCOME REP.
• I'M SURE A NUMBER OF YOU SERVE ON A COUPLE OF THESE COMMITTEES. IS SO YOU MAY HAVE SOME WORK TO DO.

Transcript Highlights:

• And cell phones.
• Number one, the dead fish problem is throughout the summer months.
• Mack via phone call if I didn't share it with you, my apologies.
• Members, this is amendment set number 2650.
• As you see, every number is declining as we go.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um and remember China is not our number um and remember China is not our number one<02:52:51.080
• numbers numbers are<03:04:37.960><c> and</c><03:04:38.080><c> when</c><03:04:38.160><c> you</c><03:04
• pick up the phone.
• If you take that scan and attach it to someone's phone and it becomes portable, now our original number
• If you take that scan and attach it to someone's phone and it becomes portable, now our original number

Transcript Highlights:

• MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE GENERALLY ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE NOISE TO START
• WE KNOW IF THE INCREASING CAPS GO IN WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES.
• NUMBERS, WE ARE IN DEBATE. IS THERE DEBATE?
• I KNOW THAT IT WILL INCREASE BUT THAT IS WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY.
• WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND KNOCKING ON DOORS, THE NUMBER ONE THING I FEEL LIKE I HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the number of girls who died from Camp Mystic on July 4th.
• Look at the numbers.
• And I would also like to say please stay off your phones.
• The numbers come from Democrats, independents, men, and women.
• So fast forward a little bit, I submitted. submitted a number of open records requests.

Bills: SB7 , SB14 , SB 7 , SB 14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I participated in it myself a number of years ago.
• The only numbers that we're seeing are those that we're...
• The numbers that you've come up with and pointed to... ...are voting in our elections, the numbers that
• I’ve seen various numbers.
• “I don’t have the exact number.” “You don’t know. Got it.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 117-1 vote. Members then spent a long portion of the morning introducing guests and visiting groups, including schoolchildren, university visitors, county officials, business and civic groups, fraternity and sorority members, and legislative conference participants. The Speaker also signed several measures already passed, including Senate Substitute for HB 2061, HB 2641, Senate Substitute for HB 2423, and HB 2934. The main floor debate centered on HCR 48, which urges Congress to pass the federal SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizen voting, while opponents said it would create burdensome, potentially disenfranchising requirements, amount to a poll tax, and interfere with state election administration. After extended debate and a successful previous-question motion, HCR 48 was third read and passed 92-43. The House then took up HCR 23, a federalism resolution reaffirming that states should control election administration; it passed unanimously, 137-0. The House also perfected and printed two bills. HB 2855, dealing with workers’ compensation funding increments for the workers’ compensation and second injury funds, was amended to allow finer 0.1% adjustments instead of 0.5% increments and then perfected. HB 1906, a simple county-government bill allowing township counties to offer annual, semiannual, or quarterly payment options for real and personal property taxes, also advanced without opposition. The chamber then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have Representative Pollitt's bill, number 3532, and Representative Proutie's bill, number 3483
• You're dealing with page number two, and we're dealing with lines 20 through 23.
• You're dealing with page number two, and we're dealing with lines 20 through 23.
• year at this time, And I can't give you a number.
• The night before that phone call, they had a board meeting.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 3532 and House Bill 3483, which were combined by amendment into a House Committee Substitute. Representative Kelly explained the amendment corrected a clerical error and merged the two bill strings; members discussed removing the phrase “public school” so the measure would apply more broadly. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute, then voted the combined House Committee Substitute do pass by a 16-0 roll call vote, sending it next to the Rules Committee and then potentially to the House floor. The committee then heard House Bill 2965, sponsored by Representative Bosley, which would require Missouri students to complete one unit each of Black history and Black literature before graduation, with standards and model curriculum developed by the State Board of Education. Bosley argued the bill would provide a fuller and more accurate account of American history, improve student engagement and outcomes, and empower all students. Supporters from the NAACP and committee members praised the goal, but several members raised concerns about making the courses graduation requirements, the burden on transfer students, and whether the bill should instead be tied to existing social studies credits or broader K-12 standards. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2126 and 2197, presented together as similar measures on building-level administrator evaluations. The sponsors said the bills would require annual evaluations of principals and other building administrators, set a March 1 timeline for renewal or nonrenewal decisions, and allow administrators with at least five consecutive years to request written reasons if their contracts are not renewed. Committee members and witnesses generally supported regular evaluations and timely notice, but several questioned whether the bills were too restrictive on reasons for nonrenewal and whether the language created a kind of tenure-like protection. Supporters from principals’ groups, Missouri NEA, and Missouri State Teachers Association backed the bills, emphasizing fairness, feedback, and professional growth. The hearing concluded without a vote on these two bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pew Charitable Trusts, and I am a manager within the fiscal policy portfolio, which focuses on a number
• We've seen a number of states, including Colorado, Maryland, Vermont, and Minnesota, take efforts to
• And I do know a number of states are acting right now to consider their conformity.
• We know that a number of states are acting right now.
• We know how to mitigate that; we know what that number is or was and what it will be.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I appreciate we can't overbuild just for that, but it's good to have accurate numbers.
• Even the adjusted load forecast, which takes us out to about 145 in 2031, is a huge growth number.
• And that's why that number, that line, is so much lower.
• So it would be every scenario you just described included in this number.
• I'm showing that full gross number.

Bills: SB438 , SB512 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1495 , SB2121 , SB2145 , SB2154 , SB2167 , SB2184 , SB2211 , SB2268 , SB2349 , SB2443 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2902

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know they're concerned about the number of cases and how for the first time.
• Number one, struck down the law criminalizing refusal that this legislature had.
• Number one, struck down the law criminalizing refusal that this legislature had.
• Another phone call is being made. Another life is being erased.
• Oh, okay. >> Um, do we have the bill number? >> He's not his bill. >> Oh, this one here. Okay.

Bills: HB1694 , HB1695 , HB1986 , HB1797 , HB1879 , HB2034

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a two-minute oral testimony limit and that decision-making would follow after testimony. It then took up SB 20008, which would set 55 mph as the maximum speed limit on all parts of the DKI/Saddle Road highway. The bill’s introducer described it as a response to safety concerns and noted prior public opposition when the speed limit was lowered from 60 mph; the Hawaii Police Department was listed in opposition, while DOT and several individuals testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 20009, requiring new plates/tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals, and SB 2026, which would require drivers approaching stationary vehicles on the shoulder or roadside to slow down and, if necessary, change lanes. The Attorney General supported SB 2026 but recommended narrowing and clarifying the language by removing references to shoulder/roadside, collision or mechanical problem, and other limiting definitions so the duty would apply more broadly and be easier to enforce; AAA and OMA also supported the measure. Members discussed the practical need for a mandatory move-over rule, especially for roadside workers and tow operators, and the committee heard concerns about enforceability on two-lane roads and in accident scenes. SB 2053 was then heard, authorizing electronic signatures on supporting documents used to transfer ownership of total-loss vehicles to insurers without notarization and requiring insurers to indemnify the finance director for claims arising from those electronic title issuances. The Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, the City and County of Honolulu, and others supported the bill, with Copart describing it as a modernization that would reduce delays for total-loss settlements; technical amendments were requested. The committee also heard SB 2172, which would allow all-terrain vehicles to operate at night if equipped with lights and a slow-moving vehicle emblem, adjust helmet requirements, define utility terrain vehicles, and include ATVs in motor vehicle insurance law. DOT said it could support the bill only if limited to low-speed areas, and the insurance industry warned it could create a new insurance scheme; the City and County of Honolulu opposed while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and an individual supported. Finally, SB 2253 was introduced to expand first-degree negligent injury to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, with DOT, county prosecutors, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office in support; Honolulu prosecutors said they would oppose a proposed amendment because they wanted the language to preserve the offense as a lesser included offense tied to negligent homicide.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:18.879><c> in</c> a state to uh reduce deer numbers in a state to uh reduce deer numbers in
• I’ll receive a phone call, and some of you may remember Mel Hect.
• At least we can make sure they get their phone numbers, maybe to start, or something.
• </c> can make sure they get their phone can make sure they get their phone numbers<01:35:49.440><c> um
• </c><01:49:37.280><c> of</c> division which already has a number of division which already has a number

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy