Transcript Highlights:

• Faculty, including part-time faculty, play a critical role in educating and enriching our communities
• Assembly Bill 1552 by Assembly Member Jackson, relating to public post-secondary education. Dr.
• AB 1552 requires the public higher education segments to report recommendations to the Legislature on
• For non-vehicle code infractions, it allows for a non-custodial warrant to be issued.
• infraction, and for non-vehicle code infractions allows for a non-custodial warrant to be issued.

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then completed the roll call and prayer, adopted routine procedural motions, and moved through the daily file with many bills passed and retained or passed outright. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on emergency medical services reporting, AB 1547 on a UC medical school feasibility study in Kern County, and AB 1552 directing higher education segments to report on civic engagement and democracy education. The body also took up SB 73, an urgency elections-security bill, where supporters argued it would protect ballots, voting systems, and election workers from interference, while opponents said it could be unconstitutional, partisan, and overly restrictive of local and federal investigations. SB 73 passed with urgency and immediate transmittal to the Senate. The Assembly then approved a long series of policy bills, many with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation physical-contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice and accountability, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual final inspections for single-family homes, AB 1741 on charging sexual battery during a residential break-in as a wobbler, AB 1802 on mitigation lands endowments, AB 1813 on community renewable energy program changes, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness prevention office, AB 1904 on a credentialing apprenticeship program, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone-attack prevention for mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2081 on home-based Medi-Cal care, AB 2116 on predatory lending, AB 2122 limiting bench warrants for vehicle-code infractions, AB 2176 on student housing coordination, AB 2187 on tribal public-contract exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on advance parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on confidentiality of judges’ home addresses, AB 2250 on cannabis/hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures were described as support or bipartisan bills and passed with little or no opposition. A few bills drew notable debate or recorded opposition, including AB 1813, AB 2122, and SB 73, though all ultimately passed. After finishing 35 items, the Assembly announced it would return the following week with a much larger file, noted upcoming floor amendment deadlines, and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A post-adjournment vote change was also recorded, changing Assembly Member Dixon’s vote on AB 2041 from aye to no.

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, so we are now subject to the procurement code. Is that accurate? Mr.
• Expenditures not subject to the procurement code?
• and higher education, that a skilled labor force.
• education that they give our youth.
• If they don't violate the Children's Code, they get the amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 582 establishes a process in which a local government's code enforcement board were spell
• Senate Bill 582 establishes a process in which a local government's code enforcement board or special
• Next, we're going to go to tab 14, CS for SB 806, on the riveting Florida trust code, at least to me,
• And it will help us educate our children and educate the population of the state of Florida about what
• In 2022, as early as 2022, the legislature took up parental rights in education.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• It represents a strategic investment in the educational and economic future of Texas.
• Department of Education amended federal rules to no longer require institutions of higher education to
• However, there are parts of the code that still require Texas institutions of higher education to be
• Senate Bill 530 simply cleans up Texas code to be in line with federal rules.
• It's common sense, bipartisan, and it should help our higher education system.

Summary: The Senate Committee on K-16 met with 14 bills on the agenda and announced it would recess around 9:45 to attend the floor session, then resume afterward. The committee first took up Senate Bill 2361, which would transfer governance of the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System and rename it Texas A&M University-Victoria. Senator Cole explained that the committee substitute added transition language for employee health benefits and ERS contributions. Supporters, including Texas A&M System officials, Victoria’s mayor, regional economic development leaders, a Formosa Plastics representative, a Victoria College trustee, and a local business owner, said the move would better align the university with regional industry needs, especially engineering, agriculture, and workforce development, while helping retain local students and support economic growth. A Texas A&M official also noted accreditation, data-system, and other transition challenges, but said the change was manageable. Because there was no quorum, the committee could not adopt the substitute, and SB 2361 was left pending subject to the call of the chair after public testimony closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 530 from Senator Sparks, which would update Texas higher education law to match federal rules allowing institutions to use any nationally recognized accreditor rather than only a regional accreditor. Sparks said the bill was a cleanup measure responding to a 2019 federal rule change and prior concerns had been addressed over the interim. Testimony in support came from a Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, who said the bill would give universities flexibility, preserve quality standards, and simplify credit transfer and costs for students. With no opposition and no questions, public testimony closed and SB 530 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE INDUSTRY EDUCATES ALL OF THEIR RETAILERS. WE DON'T SELL A THOUSAND GIFT CARDS.
• THEY SCAN THE QR CODE.
• CURRENTLY THE DEFINITION FOR QUALIFIED HUMAN PROFESSIONAL RELATES BACK TO THE INSURANCE CODE.
• THE INSURANCE CODE STILL PRESCRIBES HOW LONG CARRIERS HAVE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS.
• COMPANIES ARE LIKEWISE RESPONSIBLE TO THE INSURANCE CODE.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the original will be transferred using a qualified delivery method, as defined in the Estates Code
• that the original will be transferred using a qualified delivery method, as defined in the Estates Code
• A few other clarifications of the Estates Code are included, and there's a witness here to testify on
• Finally, the bill removes an archaic provision of the Estates Code that is infrequently used and that
• By incorporating Alzheimer's and dementia education into required training for family member guardians

Summary: The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending. Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that health care is a human right, not a privilege that should be based on income, zip code
• The legislation would also create Medicaid graduate medical education support to help with payment for
• Better educate ourselves about how to treat Margo and how to help her clinicians treat her. ...better
• That's why zip codes are such a strong predictor of health outcomes, because one's zip code reflects
• The graduate medical education, or GME, provisions direct critical funding.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have education experience.
• Big believer in vocational education.
• It'll streamline the fiscal accountability of public education and other forms of education.
• It'll streamline the fiscal accountability of public education and other forms of education.
• So why build an education on a weak foundation?

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and then serviced by kind of the federal providers, and then we also offer a lot of student loan education
• Then again, Governor Hochul has put more resources into DFS for borrower education services that I said
• And then things like zip code are not so specific in how it's used.
• And then things like zip code are not so specific in how it's used.
• So it's a wider geography, and that's reviewed as kind of a rating factor, but not specific zip codes

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking Committee met for its first meeting of the session, with Chair James Sanders Jr. and Ranking Member George Borrello opening the hearing and noting a collaborative approach to committee work. The committee first considered and advanced several bills: S.114, which would prohibit state-chartered banks from investing in or financing private prisons; S.2040, which would require money transmitters to provide a consumer warning; S.5473, which would require disclosures in advertisements involving virtual tokens; and S.8406, Sanders’ bill to amend the community bank deposit program. Each bill was moved and approved by committee, with S.8406 passing unanimously. The committee then heard from Caitlin Azar, Acting Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), who outlined her background and DFS priorities. She emphasized affordability, consumer protection, stability, and innovation, and discussed DFS-led initiatives in the governor’s budget, including Banking Development Districts, non-bank mortgage CRA regulations, CDFI investment guidance, and consumer restitution. She also said DFS plans to issue buy-now-pay-later regulations in February, expand student lending protections and borrower education, and continue work on insurance affordability, including auto and homeowners insurance reforms, anti-fraud efforts, and discounts tied to telematics, dash cameras, and safe-driving courses. Members questioned Azar about the balance between regulation and access, especially in crypto, buy-now-pay-later, and insurance markets. She said DFS aims to preserve competition while preventing discriminatory or excessive practices, and described existing oversight of virtual currency, including coordination with federal regulators. Another member asked about AI in auto insurance underwriting and pricing; Azar said DFS requires transparency, bias review, governance controls, and consumer recourse, and that credit scores cannot be used to deny or increase rates. The chair also raised concerns about foreclosure in Southeast Queens, improving BDD paperwork and data collection, and increasing the number of state-chartered credit unions. Azar said DFS is working on process improvements, community input, and maintaining open communication with the committee, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken during the DFS hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A2.
• The amendment is coded A5.
• Very complicated stuff. our staff code.
• The that our tax code is administrable.
• also a teaching hospital that educates also a teaching hospital that educates the<01:05:15.680><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 719, the capital investment/bonding bill, and members spent much of the debate praising committee staff and describing the bill as a bipartisan product shaped by statewide bonding tours and negotiations. Supporters highlighted major infrastructure and public facility projects, including water and sewer work, transportation projects, housing, natural resources, and specific local needs such as Grand Marais, the Manomomen County hospital/nursing home, and airport tower funding. Several members emphasized that the bill was a “Team House” effort and argued that infrastructure funding should not be treated as partisan. During debate, members also focused on the bill’s water infrastructure investments and the need for broader, dedicated funding to address lead pipes, PFAS contamination, and rising wastewater costs. Representative Lee noted that more than $400 million in the package went to water infrastructure, while other speakers pointed to transportation funding and a one-time reduction in tab fees as important elements of the bill. Representative Franson and others urged support, saying the package reflected statewide needs and was a down payment on larger asset-preservation needs. The House adopted three technical amendments to House File 719, then gave the bill its third reading. After floor discussion, Representative Niska moved to lay House File 719 on the table, and the motion prevailed, tabling the bill. The chamber then moved on to House File 2484, the cash portion of the infrastructure package, where members again described the measure as a small but important funding bill and discussed a Lower Sioux Indian Community Dakota language item and the limited size of each caucus’s cash allocation.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was a student in college and in grad school, I worked multiple jobs to help fund my education
• When I was a student in college and in grad school, I worked multiple jobs to help fund my education
• It would also include a QR code on each certificate, ...expiration date of the policy.
• This creates an unspoken barrier when it comes to pursuing higher education."
• H. 1345 is about awareness, education, and making smart planning decisions.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing with about 43 witnesses and a 1:00 p.m. hard stop, and the chair repeatedly asked speakers to keep testimony to three minutes. Much of the hearing focused on S. 747/H. 1336, which would extend paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers. Supporters included legislators, union leaders, graduate workers from MIT, Harvard, BU, WPI, UMass Lowell, and others, and legal advocates. They argued graduate workers perform full-time teaching and research work, pay taxes, and should not be excluded from basic safety-net benefits; several witnesses described personal hardships involving childbirth, serious illness, mental health crises, funding cuts, or fear of losing income. Testifiers also said the change would be revenue-neutral or revenue-generating and would not create major administrative burdens for universities, which already provide similar benefits to other employees. The committee also heard testimony on insurance-related bills. Christopher Stock of the Massachusetts Insurance Federation supported H. 1113 on public adjusters and H. 1345/S. 753 on flood-zone notifications for homebuyers, but opposed H. 4112, which would add a $2 surcharge on home insurance policies to fund fire cistern programs. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council strongly supported H. 1345, saying flood disclosure is needed because Massachusetts lacks statewide flood-notification requirements and flooding risks are increasing. Karen Alvarado supported H. 4352 on travel insurance, and John Fielding supported H. 1186 on pet insurance; both said the bills would create uniform regulatory frameworks and consumer protections. Rep. LeBoeuf testified for H. 4061 on workers’ compensation premium fraud, describing the bill as a transparency measure to combat fraud in construction by creating a public certificate-of-insurance database and QR-code verification system. Joe Bright of the carpenters’ union also supported H. 4061, citing fraud, misclassification, and the harm to injured workers. The hearing also included testimony on H. 4112, a bill to create a statewide fire suppression water resource fund and cistern program. Rep. Hogan and a Stowe fire chief described drought, brush fires, and the need for dedicated cisterns in communities without municipal water systems, saying the tanks provide reliable water for firefighting and are relatively low-tech once installed. Committee members asked questions about tank capacity, siting, maintenance, and funding. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A15.
• amendment is coded A15. amendment is coded A15.
• The amendment is coded A18.
• The amendment is coded A5. as amended. The amendment is coded A5.
• education. I understand that. education. I understand that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 806, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Florida Trust Code
• committee substitute for House Bill 1173, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Florida Trust Code
• House Bill 1173, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Florida Trust Code. Is there debate?
• CS for Senate Bill 1374 strengthens reporting and accountability measures related to educator arrests
• President, CS for Senate Bill 1374 strengthens reporting and accountability measures related to educator

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then moved to the special order calendar. Early bills passed included measures on the Florida Trust Code (SB 806/HB 1173), school district reporting requirements and educator misconduct reporting (SB 1374), debt collection email communications (SB 232), service of process updates (SB 576/HB 157), public lodging and food service establishments (SB 606), lien waivers and releases (SB 658), Crime Stoppers public records exemptions (SB 710), health care licensure and foreign-country business interests (SB 768, amended), diabetes management in schools (SB 772/HB 597), platting procedures (SB 784), fentanyl testing in hospitals (SB 1346/HB 1195), third-party reservation platforms (SB 940), electronic landlord-tenant notices (SB 1164/HB 615), leaving the scene of a crash restitution (SB 1378/HB 479), background screening for athletic coaches (SB 1546), surrendered infants and infant safety devices (SB 1690/HB 791), and affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (SB 1730, amended). Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on trespass, higher education, transportation services, the UCC, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, Brownfields, false reporting, health care billing, motor vehicles, utility services, and others. Most of the debate centered on a few controversial bills. Senators debated the fentanyl testing bill in support of faster detection and life-saving treatment, and the surrendered infants bill drew opposition over safety, anonymity, and liability concerns, though supporters argued baby boxes provide a monitored safe surrender option. The affordable housing bill received an amendment and broad support as a continuation of the Live Local Act, with changes to zoning, parking, height, and litigation procedures. The day’s most contentious measure was the agriculture/consumer services package (SB 700), where senators argued over the bill’s fluoride-related preemption; opponents criticized the policy and process, while the sponsor emphasized broader agriculture, consumer protection, and FFA-related provisions. That bill passed 27-9. Votes on the other major bills were largely bipartisan and often unanimous or near-unanimous, with several bills passing 35-37 yeas and few or no nays. The Senate also adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. The session concluded with announcements recognizing visitors, including Taiwan representatives, and remarks about a lantern-lighting observance tied to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senior Staff Counsel for the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.
• The Penal Code Committee is a state entity created by the Legislature to study California's criminal
• The Penal Code Committee is a state entity created by the Legislature to study California's criminal
• There is no longer an Evidence Code provision whatsoever.
• That's Welfare and Institutions Code Section 709(a)(7).

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance code authorizes the commissioner to appoint a plan administrator.
• And they thought it would be broader based on the codes that are out there.
• So dentists that are performing services on children, whether they be these codes or other codes, will
• It does include dental services to all pediatric patients, whatever those dental codes are.
• Today we have the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education.

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that. The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website. The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage. Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just continuing to educate people on what's out there.
• and Administrative Code.
• Education release, work release.
• , the Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that states should follow, they
• The Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that states should follow.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a new one for me, not that educated, I apologize.
• Not that educated. I apologize.
• Code, right, that's a little scary to me.
• Code, right, that's a little scary to me.
• Not only the safety, but the cybersecurity of the data being accessed, as well as all the code that's

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and first heard SB 1826 by Senator Martin, which would restrict ultra-processed foods served to public school students during the school day. Senator Martin said the bill is aimed only at government-purchased food in public schools, not parents’ lunches or after-school sales, and argued it is intended to protect children’s health and school performance. Members questioned the bill’s definition of ultra-processed food, its scope during the school day, and possible cost and compliance issues. Senator Rouson offered a friendly amendment extending the compliance date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026, and the committee adopted it. Several industry groups and associations spoke against the bill, citing lack of a clear definition, FDA preemption concerns, costs, and the risk of a state-by-state patchwork; Moms for Liberty waived in support. Senator Martin then temporarily postponed the bill for further work. The committee next took up CS for SB 1132 by Senator Truenow on consumers’ right to repair certain equipment, including agricultural equipment and portable digital devices. An amendment by Senator Boyd was adopted to exclude security and life-safety systems and remove automobile-related provisions. Public testimony included opposition from TechNet, which said the bill is unnecessary because repair parts, tools, and manuals are already available and asked for changes to make the bill prospective and remove the private right of action. Agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturers testified against the bill, arguing that current repair resources and a memorandum of understanding with the Farm Bureau already address repair access, while warning that the bill could undermine dealer margins, parts inventory, training programs, safety, cybersecurity, and emissions compliance. Some members supported the concept but noted the bill still needed work. The committee voted 4-0 to report CS for SB 1132 favorably. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Florida 4-H youth leaders on the organization’s impact and goals. The presenters described 4-H’s role in leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, highlighted statewide participation and camp programs, and asked for continued support for camp improvements, especially the Camp Cherry Lake revitalization effort. Senators praised the students’ presentations and the value of 4-H before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which urges Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code.
• official citations, correct enacted codes to conform the codes to the source of law from which they
• were derived, and revised codes or parts of the code enacted during the preceding legislative session
• This bill, we call it our general code update bill.
• Some parts of the education code, those will be on down the road.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can use multiple educational options to compile your child's education, but home education is not
• home educator. home educator.
• educator versus homeschooler. educator versus homeschooler.
• . educator. educator.
• education already works in practice. education already works in practice.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand the education. Believe me, I get that part.
• I think we're lacking education, and that's a part of what I do for a living—is educate.
• Code, that gets destroyed as it happened in my shop.
• Want to be able to scan a QR code.
• I also have my master's in cannabis education.

Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program