Transcript Highlights:

• , the Board of Supervisors then switch their roles and become, you know, kind of a county board of supervisors
• State Board of Equalization.
• County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Equalization or the State Board of Equalization..
• County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Equalization or the State Board of Equalization for
• the Board of Equalization.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with member, page, and staff introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits and moved to bills. House Bill 2016 would remove late-filing penalties from taxpayers who owe zero tax. The sponsor argued it was a fairness measure that would spare small businesses and individuals from automatic penalties for paperwork only. Members generally supported the bill, though one member noted the Department of Revenue already has waiver authority and another raised a fiscal-impact question. The bill passed 8-1 with a due pass recommendation; the lone no vote said current law already allows case-by-case waivers and that an automatic exemption could weaken compliance. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after a taxpayer wins an appeal, unless there is a change in use, split, or ownership. The sponsor and supporters from the cattle and farm/ranch community said some owners repeatedly win appeals only to face the same fight the next year, creating unnecessary cost and instability. County Assessor Eddie Cook, speaking for the county assessors, opposed the bill, saying assessors must protect compliance and fairness, that some owners do not meet ag requirements, and that the State Board of Equalization is not the final avenue because further appeals are available. The State Board’s acting chairman said the board is neutral, receives annual training, and applies the law as written. After extensive debate, the bill passed 5-4 with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2105, which would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. Supporters said the bill would give owners a chance to be present and better understand why agricultural status was denied, helping avoid disputes before appeals. Assessor Cook opposed the measure, saying assessors already send notices, use door hangers and business cards, and can share inspection information on request, but there is no standard inspection report and the added mailing burden would be costly. Members also raised concerns about the lack of an appropriation and the absence of a standardized form. The bill was moved for a due pass recommendation, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the chairman of this board, I'd like to officially call this meeting of the Louisiana Public Defender
• Huff and the members of the board.
• A lot of this that has been circulated amongst the members of this board.
• Any special committee shall consist of all of the board members.
• authority of the oversight board.

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, established a quorum, and adopted the agenda. Public comment took up most of the meeting, with numerous district defenders and chief defenders speaking in support of State Public Defender Remy Starns. Speakers from several districts said the system is more unified, communication with the state office has improved, and local offices feel better supported than in the past. Several also credited Starns with visiting districts, helping with local issues, and improving coordination on capital and non-capital work. One speaker, Richard Thompson, emphasized Starns’ background and training under Sam Dalton, and another noted that a recent staffing decision in St. John the Baptist Parish ultimately proved beneficial for mentorship and resource sharing. Starns then gave his state public defender report. He said the system has improved over the last seven years and argued that public defense still needs a stable, renewable funding source comparable to other parts of the criminal justice system. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, a law eliminating filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee claims after a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and post-conviction work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and use local and state resources more efficiently. He thanked the board, the Public Defenders Association, and the late Mike Ginnart, whom he praised for his leadership and service. The board then considered and adopted proposed bylaws. Members discussed the need for a vice chair and a secretary, the role of special committees, and whether committee meetings should be public and limited to less than a quorum. The bylaws were adopted with the understanding that a committee would review and refine them later; volunteers were named for that committee. The board then elected a vice chair and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff assistance, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely unchanged from FY25 except for updates to reflect current law, accessibility requirements, training, compliance, and communication goals. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll point to the Board of Dentistry.
• Boards that are hundreds of thousands in excess, millions.
• At the close of fiscal year 2025, the board had a cash balance of $16,463, which represents 20% of the
• The rules of the Board of Drinking Water, for instance, it wasn't just a fee rule.
• Committee, before us now is 24-1701-2-2501, Rules of the State Board of Acupuncture.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• > maybe</c><00:03:46.360><c> you've</c> Board of judicial standards maybe you've Board of judicial standards
• The board rules provide for the composition of the board.
• So for our Executive Committee, we have a member from each of the roles of the board.
• From each of the roles of the board. Those are the remaining members.
• of any changes to the makeup of the board since I've been with it for the last 10 years.

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• These are issues that demand the full attention of the Board of Regents.
• Serving on this Board of Regents has been among the greatest honors of my life.
• Serving on this Board of Regents has been among the greatest honors of my life.
• integrity of our... ...duty that this board owes to the University of Wisconsin, to the integrity of
• on the part of this... ...misleading does not reflect a lack of reasons on the part of this board.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges

Transcript Highlights:

• Gubernatorial reappointment of Senator Todd Lakey of Nampa to the State Insurance Fund Board.
• of Robert Cuio to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the floor of the Senate for his confirmation
• all boards to maintain a cash balance of 30% to 150% of the board's five-year rolling average of expenditures
• requires all boards to maintain a cash balance of 30% to 150% of the board's five-year rolling average
• I also am a board member of the Idaho Association of Building Officials and also act as the building

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• of the plan and submitted it to the board.
• the Board of Environmental Safety.
• So, turning to the relative roles of DTSC and the board, SB 158 created the Board of Environmental Safety
• And then based on all of that, the board then puts forward a number of different...
• We like the Board of Environmental Safety.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products Program. Director Katie Butler said DTSC is now more transparent and proactive, citing stronger enforcement actions, an online inspections map, community open houses, the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, wildfire hazardous waste removal in Los Angeles, and progress on cleanup and permit decisions. She said the department is fiscally stable after fee changes, has released a draft hazardous waste management plan, and is revising it in response to public and board comments, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw described the board’s oversight role on fees, transparency, appeals, and performance metrics, and said the board is working toward revised metrics, a revised plan, and future fee votes. Members pressed DTSC on several issues. Senator Blakespear raised extended producer responsibility programs and asked how DTSC could reduce the cost and complexity of launching them; Butler said enforcement and partnerships with local authorities are essential, and Rakestraw suggested closer coordination with CalRecycle. Chair Connolly asked about wildfire cleanup, fee stability, Safer Consumer Products progress, and permit lengths; Butler said residential fire cleanup is largely complete, the fee system is now stable, the consumer products program has many technical projects underway and is expected to reach more listings over time, and some permits are set for five years to hold facilities accountable sooner. Senator Menjivar questioned how DTSC balances hazardous waste capacity with community impacts from facilities with violation histories, and Butler said permits are reviewed through engineering controls, health risk assessments, public comment, and, where needed, stricter conditions. Senator Reyes emphasized the need for stronger protections for overburdened communities and asked about landfill leachate and goal-setting in the hazardous waste plan; Butler said DTSC is using its hazardous waste authority where municipal landfill leachate shows hazardous characteristics and is looking at broader statewide responses. Panelists from the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance and Earthjustice offered contrasting views. CCEB’s Don Krepke supported SB 158’s reforms but urged risk-based decision-making, broader use of alternative management standards, alignment with federal and other state hazardous waste classifications, less duplication across agencies, and caution about added costs from permitting and cumulative impacts rules; he also warned that the generation-and-handling fee remains structurally weak and suggested more General Fund support for statewide planning work. Earthjustice’s Angela Johnson-Mazares argued DTSC remains too slow and too cautious, saying communities continue to face delayed permits, weak enforcement, and ongoing harm, and that the agency should prioritize source reduction, strong permit protections, and more decisive action to prevent emissions and protect frontline communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Board of Supervisors then switch their roles and become, you know, kind of a county board of supervisors
• in 1994, and the State Board of Equalization is primarily charged to function as the board of equalization
• County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Equalization or the State Board of Equalization..
• County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Equalization or the State Board of Equalization for
• to the Board of Equalization.

Bills: HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2288 , HB2289

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, HB2288, foreign dividends, corporate income tax, Arizona tax, A.R.S. 43-1122, subtraction, gross income subtraction, multinational corporations, GILTI, global intangible low-taxed income, subpart F income, IRC 78 gross-up, foreign-source income, international tax conformity, corporate tax base

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education, the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education
• The State Board of Education, the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, and the Financial
• I'm Randy Spalding, Executive Director of the State Board of Education.
• In the case of the State Board of Education, we have 16 dedicated members from a variety of backgrounds
• School boards of directors generally consist of five members, but school boards and districts with a

Bills: HB1662 , HB1683

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance

Transcript Highlights:

• We conducted sunset reviews of the Board of Cosmetology in 2013 and the Board of Barbers in 2021.
• A review of board meetings, investigation files, and board policies found that the board failed to take
• allegations against the board of unequal treatment of licensees.
• the board of unequal treatment of licensees.
• As a result of the consolidation of the Board of Barbers and the Board of Cosmetology, effective 2022

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• The problems are not the fault of any of these board members, bless their hearts, uh, to sort of, as
• the inefficiencies of the board and those type of things.
• Um one of the very very good board.
• of the board that kind of for the rest of the board that hasn't<00:56:40.960><c> heard</c><00:56:41.280
• </c> like for each of the new board members like for each of the new board members to<01:02:22.319><c

Committee: Joint Public Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, who makes up the board?
• /c><00:01:20.240><c> were</c> you an overview of the board uh we were you an overview of the board uh
• </c> the board has um has focused on some of the board has um has focused on some of those<00:17:24.760
• of the board if to the unfunded mandates of the board if implemented<01:04:34.839><c> without</c><01
• repeal of the board.

Bills: HF1419 , HF500

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:07.680><c> of</c> the part where the zoning board of the part where the zoning board of adjustment
• of these boards for having been on one of these boards for many<00:18:46.880><c> years,</c><00:18:47.679
• </c><00:33:34.000><c> make</c> is that first of all the board can make is that first of all the board
• ><c> uh</c><00:34:57.040><c> they</c> members of the board, still not uh they members of the board, still
• c><00:35:42.240><c> it</c><00:35:42.400><c> include</c> board of appeals or does it include board of

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We conducted sunset reviews of the Board of Cosmetology in 2013 and the Board of Barbers in 2021.
• However, a review of board meetings, investigation files, and board policies found that the board failed
• allegations against the board of unequal treatment of licensees.
• the board of unequal treatment of licensees.
• As a result of the consolidation of the Board of Barbers and the Board of Cosmetology, effective 2022

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as the House Commerce Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and a performance audit covering the Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the two commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified major issues: the department had not consistently reviewed independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, had disclosure and conflict-of-interest compliance gaps, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and was late distributing some compact trust fund payments to tribes. The Racing Commission needed better public records procedures, and the Boxing and MMA Commission had licensing and fee-setting issues. The department and commissions said they agreed with the findings and were implementing recommendations, with the department noting it had already begun look-back reviews, updated guidance, and additional staffing. Members also discussed consumer protection, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and whether out-of-state enforcement actions should affect Arizona licenses; the department said it would evaluate such matters case by case and generally wait for final adjudication or final regulatory action before acting. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the Department of Gaming for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee next heard the Barbering and Cosmetology Board audit. The Auditor General said the board timely processed many applications and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it failed to enforce disciplinary guidelines consistently, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting why it deviated from policy. The audit also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review quality control, inspections, open meeting and public records compliance, conflict-of-interest processes, fee-setting, and statutory clarity on scope of practice and training requirements. The board said it agreed with the findings, had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, and was working on the remaining recommendations and possible legislation. The committee then voted to continue the board for six years until July 1, 2032, and the motion passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee began hearing the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority performance audit, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation was completed or any action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• chairman of that board on their concern.
• What if one of those boards actually wants to see that their expansion of scope happens, and they just
• And I don't think a board in good conscience would step outside of those without the risk of being sued
• And I don't think a board in good conscience would step outside of those without the risk of being sued
• Well, that board of chiropractors still has that.

Bills: SB27 , SB8 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB568 , SB650 , SB1405 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2753 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 119 , HB145 , HB493 , HB705 , HB1545 , HB2017 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2963 , HB2974 , HB3642 , HB3909 , HB5138 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB 123 , HB5606 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Don Clay, J.D., a member of the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, Board of
• of California College of Law, San Francisco Board of Directors.
• I think that part of our role as a member of the Air Resources Board is to have an open door and to be
• I'll end by underscoring that I'm deeply aware of the history that led to the creation of this board,
• The first would be making sure that we as the board and I as the chair of the board are going...

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several governor’s appointments and procedural items, including appointments to the Civil Rights Council, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors, bill referrals, and floor acknowledgments. Most of these items passed unanimously, while the Civil Rights Council appointment of Indira Cameron Banks passed 3-2. The bulk of the meeting focused on confirmations to the California Air Resources Board. Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson, both nominated to CARB, described their backgrounds and emphasized balancing climate and air-quality goals with economic impacts, community engagement, and practical implementation. Senators raised concerns about cap-and-trade costs, leakage, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, agricultural burdens, emergency vehicle and fleet electrification challenges, natural gas appliance rules, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis. Both nominees said they favored open-door engagement, listening to affected communities, and using data and technology-neutral approaches. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, and the committee voted to advance Hopkins 4-0 and Locke Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee also heard the appointment of Andrew Rakestraw as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. Rakestraw, who previously worked in U.S. climate and legal roles, said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and community responsiveness at DTSC. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like the Hinkley/Herupah Valley and Exide cleanup areas, fee-setting and fiscal stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and coordination with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. He said the board should go beyond brief public comment periods, engage communities directly, and ensure community concerns are reflected in outcomes. Supporters from environmental justice and waste-management groups testified in favor, no opposition was offered, and the committee moved his nomination forward to the Senate floor, with one member abstaining.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why in Board of Elections would we not allow them to share just the status of someone's citizenship?
• Senator, to be clear, the State Board of Elections is still part of this process under this bill.
• Board of Elections, and with clear communication. ...best made by the county boards of elections, with
• They then have to communicate all of that information to the State Board of Elections.
• State Board of Elections on the information received?

Committee: Senate Elections

Summary: The Elections Committee held its final meeting of the session, with Chair Senator Gonzalez thanking members and staff for their work. The committee considered several election-related bills, including a voter ID proposal, protections against voter challenges and purging, a measure to address election disruptions, sample ballot posting, absentee ballot deadline notices for students, military and overseas voting changes, and notice requirements for expired address confidentiality protections. Senate Bill 2574, requiring government-issued photo ID to vote, drew opposition from Senators Walczyk and Myrie, who argued it would create barriers to voting and that there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud; the bill was reported from committee with opposition. Senate Bill 3233A, dealing with illegal voter purging and challenges, prompted extended discussion about citizenship verification, privacy of citizenship data, and whether information should be shared publicly; it was reported to the floor with Senators Borrello and Walczyk voting no. Senate Bill 4602A, on remedies for election disruptions, was discussed in terms of county and state board roles and bipartisan decision-making, and it was reported to the Finance Committee with a no vote from one member. The remaining bills were advanced with little or no substantive debate: Senate Bill 6253A on posting sample ballots, Senate Bill 6259 on notifying students of absentee ballot deadlines, Senate Bill 6995 on voting by mail, Senate Bill 7689B on overseas military and special federal voters, and Senate Bill 9857 on notice when address confidentiality protections expire. Most were reported either to the floor or to the Finance Committee, and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Board of Education.
• /c> Which in the mind of many on my board Which in the mind of many on my board and<00:03:08.519><c>
• </c> members of the Board of Education. members of the Board of Education.
• of the Board of and a small minority of the Board of Education<00:04:24.919><c> in</c><00:04:25.040>
• out of my board. board. board.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an initial listing of boards and commissions that the legislative auditor gave to us, ...of boards
• of that board that I could reach out to.
• The intent is really just to get rid of inactive boards.
• The intent is really just to get rid of inactive boards.
• And some of these boards and commissions are just some examples of that.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 338, which would recreate certain entities transferred to or placed within the Office of the Governor. Representative Carver described it as a sunset measure, and the committee quickly moved it favorable without objection. House Bill 379 followed, expanding eligibility for election commissioners to include 17-year-olds who are in the 11th grade or equivalent homeschool level rather than only the 12th grade. Members briefly discussed the bill’s youth sponsor, Owen Estey, and the bill was also reported favorable without objection. The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 861 by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, which would eliminate inactive, outdated, or unnecessary state boards, commissions, and related entities. The bill came with a large amendment package that removed some entities, added others, and made technical corrections based on the legislative auditor’s annual report and follow-up review. Members questioned how entities were identified, whether they had been notified, and whether some boards should remain because they still serve a purpose, especially the Waste Tire Task Force. The sponsor said the goal was to streamline government and that he had contacted about 85% of the affected entities; he also said some items in the package were local and therefore excluded. After adopting amendments 17 and 18, the committee reported the bill favorable as amended. House Bill 202 by Representative McMakin would require job advertisements for classified state positions to include salary information and require applicants to be notified when a position is filled or they are rejected. An amendment narrowed the bill to classified positions only. State Civil Service Director Byron Deccato testified that the system already posts salary ranges and sends notices when agencies properly update the hiring system, but that compliance depends on agency staff and some agencies are slow to close out postings. Members expressed frustration that applicants can be left waiting without notice, while Deccato said Civil Service audits agencies and is willing to work on the issue. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the board chair of DTSC, we realize you are relatively new to the board.
• the Board of Environmental Safety.
• So, turning to the relative roles of DTSC and the board, SB 158 created the Board of Environmental Safety
• And that's part of the reason why the board... ...as a result of this, and that's part of the reason
• We like the Board of Environmental Safety.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.