Transcript Highlights:

• And so I want to thank you for doing this because... ...from in the most part.
• I think we understand that part of it.
• But part of that is a responsibility on the part of the regulatory body to lay bare their reasoning and
• I think we understand that part of it.
• But part of that is a responsibility on the part of the regulatory body to lay bare their reasoning and

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're a leader on the civility caucus and you're part of the state's only bipartisan town hall this
• And it also lets you know at community resources there if they're part of the conversation.
• there if they're part of the conversation.<00:01:51.360><c> So</c><00:01:51.600><c> that's</c><00:01
• So, that really rang the alarm bells for me because this is a really important part of the history on
• of the history on really important part of the history on the<00:02:24.879><c> Iron</c><00:02:25.200

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was part of the committee that worked on that task force to study it.
• We were part of the committee that did it.
• Zones, so CTS is captured in part of that.
• I'm lucky to be part of some of the conversation, so I appreciate it.
• You, Madam Vice Chair, for being a part of it, and everybody else that was a part of all this hard work

Transcript Highlights:

• Apologies should be from our part here.
• Apologies should be from our part here.
• Apologies should be from our part here.
• </c> types of phrases that they use as part types of phrases that they use as part of<00:46:52.559><c
• </c> um uh the 80 counties that are not part um uh the 80 counties that are not part of<00:59:45.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis Park, Hopkins, and part of Medina. I'm a practicing lawyer.
• About 25% of our assistant public defenders are part-time.
• They run their private practices and work part-time for us.
• It is really in two parts.
• </c><01:09:18.440><c> of</c> immigration work but that is part of immigration work but that is part of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our second part will narrow our focus specifically to maternal health.
• And maternity care needs to be considered as part of primary care.
• And I think the workforce component is a part of our next speaker.
• However, the women that were part of our focus groups did share...
• And so, again, additional supports could be part of that solution.

Summary: The hearing focused on reproductive and maternal health inequities affecting Latina, Black, and Indigenous women in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that disparities are rooted in long histories of exclusion, coercion, and underinvestment. Members and witnesses discussed the need to address language access, immigration-related fear, continuity of care, and the role of community-based supports such as promotora programs, doulas, community health workers, and culturally responsive education. The first panel highlighted the history of forced sterilization and reproductive oppression in California, the work of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Planned Parenthood affiliates’ care and education programs, and Black Women for Wellness’s community-led maternal health advocacy and policy priorities. Witnesses described how current barriers include fear of ICE and public charge, loss of funding for community organizations, gaps in Medi-Cal access, and the erosion of trust caused by discrimination and inconsistent care. Legislators asked about measuring trust, the impact of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and how to respond to federal funding cuts. Panelists said the state should invest in community-based organizations, maintain public coverage and safety-net programs, and support the ecosystems of care that connect health services with housing, legal aid, and education. The second part of the hearing turned to state maternal health efforts. Officials from the California Department of Public Health and the Department of Health Care Services described programs including Black Infant Health, the Perinatal Equity Initiative, the Pregnancy Associated Review Committee, the birthing care pathway, the postpartum pathway concept paper, and the Transforming Maternal Health model. They said California is updating policies to better support doulas, community health workers, lactation services, and postpartum transitions, and that Medi-Cal coverage is protected for 12 months postpartum. They also noted that most pregnancy-related deaths now occur after delivery and that the highest risks involve cardiovascular disease, mental health, infection, and birth complications. ACOG representatives closed by describing professional education efforts on racism, implicit bias, immigrant rights, and respectful care, and by recommending hospital-level quality improvement projects that use existing data to identify and close equity gaps. They stressed that effective change requires measurable, transparent outcomes, involvement of impacted patients and communities, and sustained institutional accountability. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Managed as a part of our projects internally.
• Part of it, Mr.
• That's the first part of it.
• Chairman, and that is part of the discussion.
• It's part of their role before they depart.

Transcript Highlights:

• So really quickly, There are three parts to this policy framework.
• The third part is the low-carbon material rebate. This is the part that drives market demand.
• And it's a great opportunity for different parts of our state, whether it's, you know, asphalt.
• But also part of the issue, for New Mexico products, yes.
• In parts of New Mexico, we have Wood. In parts of New Mexico, we need to thin our forests.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 153, a proposal focused on industrial decarbonization and manufacturing. The bill would create a voluntary, market-based framework with three main parts: an Environmental Product Declaration program to help manufacturers measure and certify product carbon footprints, an industrial carbon reduction incentive and capital grant program to support lower-carbon production, and a rebate program to encourage purchase of low-carbon construction materials. Supporters said the bill would reduce emissions, strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and help New Mexico attract and grow low-carbon manufacturing. Members raised concerns about the anti-donation clause, whether the program would actually benefit New Mexico companies, the availability of in-state supply, the cost to the state, and whether a sunset should be added. Sponsors and agency representatives responded that the programs are voluntary, would be implemented through rules with performance and verification requirements, and are backed by a finite appropriation and reporting requirements. They also said the bill is intended to build both supply and demand, with examples cited such as low-carbon cement and engineered wood projects that could reduce emissions and create jobs. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on House Bill 153. The motion to do pass was approved, with Senator Scott voting no and several members excused. House Bill 254, which had also been on the agenda, was not heard because the committee was called to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• more concrete information as to how many survivors will be impacted by this ongoing delay, in what parts
• Hunter Abell, representing the 7th Legislative District, which is most of Northeast Washington and part
• , part of Issaquah, part of Sammamish, and a beautiful town called Bothell.
• , part of Issaquah, part of Sammamish, and a beautiful town called Bozart.
• of Kirkland, Redmond, and parts of Bellevue, as well as the points communities, Hunts Point, Yarrow

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 2158, which updates Washington’s electronic notarization laws to reflect 2021 changes to the Uniform Law Commission’s notarial act model. Staff explained that the bill would allow remote notarization of tangible paper documents, authorize remote administration of oaths or affirmations to remotely located individuals, and clarify how a notary can acknowledge a signature on a tangible record sent in from a remote signer. Representative Abel, the sponsor, said the measure would improve access, especially in rural areas where notaries may be far away. Testimony from the Uniform Law Commission supported the bill as a modest update that adds flexibility while maintaining consumer protections. A committee member raised concerns about fraud and manipulated video, and the witness responded that the bill includes safeguards such as required recordings, identity verification, and retention of audiovisual records. The committee then heard House Bill 2178, an Administrative Office of the Courts request bill making several mostly technical changes to align statutes with court rules and current practice. Staff described changes to civil infraction filing and response deadlines, payment plans for infractions, the dollar threshold for aggregated malicious mischief damage, a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic protection-order filing, and repeal of an outdated statutory grant-distribution provision. Representative Tye noted concern specifically about the extension in Section 6 and said she was still seeking an explanation for why the deadline should move from 2026 to 2028. AOC witness Jay Lee Schultz said the extension is needed to align with the rollout of the state’s new case management system and to support statewide electronic protection-order tracking. Elizabeth Hendren of the Sexual Violence Law Center testified in opposition to Section 6, saying the delay would further postpone reforms intended to improve access to protection orders, judicial access to related orders, and survivor notifications. She argued that the legislature had already given the courts five years to implement the changes and asked for more transparency about funding, barriers, and why additional time is needed. After hearing the testimony, the committee concluded its business for the day and also took time to introduce members and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> language is related to new language part language is related to new language part of<00:02:14.560
• </c> part is actually already in the bill. part is actually already in the bill.
• I will tell you that the part product. I will tell you that the part that<00:48:47.599><c> Mr.
• of time which parts you liked and which parts weren't good enough for you.
• I'm happy to be a part of that.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support. Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously. Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some good parts of this bill, certainly.
• So, yeah, that's part of your taxes. My wife does taxes.
• But there are too many bad parts of it. One other thing I wanted to mention.
• Okay, but it's not part of this conversation.
• Child care was part of Prop 98 for 14 years, longer than it's been out.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week. Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs. Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The scary part... ...hear from you guys over the years.
• We're part of the University of North Dakota, a non-teaching unit.
• So we are part of the University of North Dakota and a state and part of the state of North Dakota.
• So we are part of the University of North Dakota and a state and part of the state of North Dakota.
• If you saw this in the hallway, it's very busy, but it is part of the record here.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I mean, that are part of this leadership group. Oh, the fellowship?
• When they come into my classroom, they become part of my family.
• First part, I agree.
• So definitely concur in that journey and being a part of that.
• Well, awareness is, I think, the first part.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 9 and 10 minutes, then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program featuring three third-grade teachers from Poyen, Drew Central, and Cabot, along with Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long collaboration among 23 merit-pay recipients from across the state, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about teacher experience, how the fellowship information is shared locally, the role of merit pay, and how teachers are addressing third-grade reading and retention concerns under the ATLAS assessment system. The teachers emphasized early intervention, relationships with students, small-group instruction, progress monitoring, and communication with families; they also described community supports such as churches, food backpacks, and local donations. Several members raised broader questions about poverty, trauma, social services, DHS involvement, and whether similar professional learning should be expanded to more teachers. Secretary Oliva said the fellowship is a small subset of a larger merit-pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is working to improve literacy supports, clarity, and alignment across grades. He also said ATLAS results are now available to schools and families much faster than in the past, often within 24 to 72 hours, and that the state is using the data to identify at-risk students earlier and support intervention before retention decisions are made. The committee then moved to the adequacy/resource allocation presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Staff explained that the report is part of the statutory adequacy review and focuses on state funding sources beyond foundation aid, including categorical and supplemental funds. They noted that districts and charters spent more than $7 billion in the 2025 school year, with roughly 49% from foundation funding and 51% from other sources over the last three years. The presentation outlined the four categorical funds—Alternative Learning Environment, English Learners, Enhanced Student Achievement, and Professional Development—describing their restricted uses, student-based funding formulas, and the ability of districts to transfer some money among categoricals while keeping it within allowable purposes. Staff said categorical funds account for about 4% of total spending, or less than $300 million, and reviewed superintendent feedback on whether those funds met district needs, with responses varying by category and district.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those would be the new functions as part of the trailer bill language.
• I will follow up with the specifics of what is part of that grant scoring process.
• Is that something that is part of the Healthy Soils Program or considered it?
• That's part of the grants themselves. Yes.
• For the most part, our offices are not public. And we,...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So part of the problem here is the failure to fill the law.
• So part of the problem here is the failure to fill these positions.
• So with that part, and the— That is correct.
• You know, I represent Orange County and parts of Los Angeles.
• You know, I represent Orange County and parts of Los Angeles.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But reported numbers still tell only part of the truth.
• The same barriers we have... ...tell only part of the truth.
• Just last year, I had an opportunity to be part of a collaborative...
• To be part of this project, and I really hope that it will continue. Thank you very much.
• We're involved, but just wasn't aware, you know, originally with the specific part of it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of our actual ICIP request.
• That's part of our actual ICIP request.
• It's not part of our recurring cost.
• I'll just end with this part.
• The other part that I was going to mention, Mr.

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we are part of the Interstate Medical Compact. Can you reintroduce yourself?
• So, we are part of the Interstate Medical Compact. Can you reintroduce yourself?
• So, we are part of the Uh, okay.
• </c><00:30:11.679><c> Um</c> are uneducated for the most part. Um are uneducated for the most part.
• Yeah, I'm are part of their family too.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a series of gubernatorial nominations to boards and commissions. Early nominees included Falleno Vital for the Boxing Commission, Rebecca Moore for the Board of Nursing, and Alexander Smith and Zachary Johnson for the Board of Public Accountancy. DCCA and board representatives testified in support of each, and the nominees who were present briefly described their qualifications and willingness to serve. The chair noted the unusually large volume of written testimony in support of the boxing nominee and emphasized that these are voluntary positions and nominees had already been vetted through questionnaires and resumes. The committee then heard several nominations to the Hawaii Board of Optometry, the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board, and the Hawaii Medical Board. Ashley Porter and Katherine Mao spoke in support of their optometry nominations, Nathan Konishi supported his motor vehicle repair board nomination, and Gary Belchure discussed his reappointment to the medical board. A substantial portion of the discussion on the medical board focused on physician shortages, especially on the neighbor islands, and efforts to address them through the Interstate Medical Compact and pending legislation such as SB 1365. Board staff also discussed possible pathways for foreign medical graduates and the need for criminal background checks to fully participate in the compact. The latter part of the hearing shifted to real estate commission nominations, including Audrey Abbe and Denise Lacosta. Testimony and member questions focused heavily on condominium governance, deferred maintenance, reserve studies, insurance costs, and the need for better education and oversight of volunteer board members and property managers. Both nominees said older buildings, rising insurance premiums, and lack of expertise among volunteer boards are major challenges, and they suggested more training, clearer guidance, stronger enforcement against unlicensed property management, and better access to qualified consultants and financing. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and moved through the agenda nominee by nominee.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of what HIPAA is all about.
• Nurses have accepted that as part of our job and it should not be part of our job and that's what this
• Patients with eating disorders are also an alarmingly common part of my practice.
• It still does, but I think it's part of a bigger package.
• Okay, I'm just saying that I'm concerned about that part. I hear you.

Bills: HB713, HB827, HB932, HB499, HB510, HB163, HB296, HB879, HB913, HB163, HB296

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of that will be, are we ensuring that we provide envelopes that are accessible to the disabled
• of our clean energy goals and our climate goals, and public transportation as a critical, critical part
• What are you doing to be a part of the process? What are you doing? Are you...
• What are you doing to be a part of the process? What are you doing?
• A part of it is that one of the things they do is make sure that the poll workers are evenly divided.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on March 25, 2026, with nine measures on the agenda and three bills taken on consent. The committee approved the consent calendar for AB 1736, AB 1853, and AB 2153. The committee also heard several election-related bills, including AB 1993 on ballot-envelope privacy, AB 1788 on nonprofit disclosure of travel payments for elected officials, AB 1560 on barring people convicted of public corruption from lobbying, AB 1539 on presidential and vice-presidential ballot eligibility certifications, AB 1919 on Santa Cruz Metro local tax initiative procedures, and AB 1562 on county selection of poll workers. The chair also noted membership changes and welcomed new and returning members and staff. AB 1993 drew the most debate. The author argued it was a common-sense safeguard to prevent voters’ choices from being visible through ballot-envelope holes, citing a Sacramento County incident and public concern about ballot privacy. County election officials, the Secretary of State’s office, and Disability Rights California opposed the bill, saying the holes also serve accessibility and processing functions, that existing voter instructions already address privacy, and that the measure would create implementation problems and an unfunded mandate. After extended discussion, the committee voted the bill out on a 2-6 roll call and it failed. AB 1788 was supported by the FPPC and the League of Women Voters and passed as amended to Appropriations, with members emphasizing transparency while seeking to avoid unintended coverage of organizations like NCSL and CSG. AB 1560 passed 6-0 despite the Secretary of State’s implementation concerns about how the office would learn of relevant convictions. AB 1539, which would require party representatives to certify presidential and vice-presidential nominees’ constitutional eligibility, passed 7-0 as amended. AB 1919, which would clarify procedures for a Santa Cruz Metro voter initiative to place a transit tax on the ballot, passed 6-2, and AB 1562, which would allow counties to randomly select poll workers, passed 7-1 after discussion about civic engagement, guardrails, and election administration. The committee then completed roll-call adjustments for absent members and adjourned.