Transcript Highlights:

• <03:04:43.680> proposals lived experience to develop proposals lived experience to develop
• > within<03:48:02.080> their efficiently develop land within their efficiently develop
• regulations are standing in the way. regulations are standing in the way.
• . regulators. regulators.
• H.R. 4544 further requires the development of outreach and education programs and federal regulator engagement

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is not going to develop an exam without the legislative authority to develop an exam and give
• The boards have to regulate their industries, right?
• The boards have to regulate their industries, right?
• The boards have to regulate their industries, right?
• The boards have to regulate their industries, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on House Bill 271, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). The chair and several members expressed reservations about repealing a requirement that was only created in 2021, arguing that licensure should include some measurable demonstration of competency and that it is too early to judge whether the current standard is working. Members also raised concerns about the social work compact and the lack of uniformity across states, saying that changing the requirement now could undermine the standards New Hampshire agreed to at the outset. Testimony in support of the bill argued that the LSWA exam is a barrier for applicants because the level is intended for people without formal social work education, and the exam is the same national exam used for licensed social workers. The witness said there is only one LSWA in New Hampshire, so there is little pass/fail data, but noted that the Association of Social Worker Boards reported 78% of its membership favored retaining the exam. Supporters also emphasized that LSWA holders complete 30 hours of training and extensive supervised hours, and that they are not intended to work independently. Opponents or skeptics questioned whether the exam is the right measure for this role and asked for data showing actual failures or barriers. The discussion turned to possible alternatives, including a different exam, a practical skills assessment, or broader rulemaking authority for the board to set LSWA criteria. One suggestion was to amend the law to give the board authority to develop appropriate standards in rulemaking, rather than naming a specific exam in statute. Members also discussed whether the board could create a more suitable assessment and noted that the current law requires a national proctored examination approved by the board, but there is no national exam specifically for LSWA. No final vote or action was taken in the excerpt, and the subcommittee indicated it would gather more information, including the existing rule language, before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you know, low taxes, low regulations. Businesses like stability as well.
• owners, impeding the development and operation of these facilities.
• unviable for park owners and developers.
• I'm vice, vice president of Land Development for the Howard Hughes Holding Company.
• Um, I'm owner of Ellison Development.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• would take to develop it.
• while to get it developed.
• But it's partly because of how they developed their routing highway layer.
• But it's partly because of how they developed their routing highway layer.
• The first is that the California clean air regulations were the first in this kind of emissions regulation

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• These both flow into what we call the Marijuana Regulation Fund.
• It also puts at risk the patients and consumers who rely on legal, regulated cannabis.
• Massachusetts voters chose a regulated system over prohibition.
• The CCC has a lot of data around the regulated... ...market problems.
• Regulated cannabis is popular, and it is safer than the alternatives.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10, House Bill 5002, titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. Chairs Brendan Crighton and Kate Hogan outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the committee is gathering testimony for a report to the legislature. The hearing was organized into expert, proponent, opponent, and public testimony, with written testimony accepted through March 27. The first witness, Jessica Trow of MassBudget, testified in opposition to repeal and focused on cannabis-related revenue and social equity. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion statewide since adult-use sales began, with revenue flowing through the Marijuana Regulation Fund, the state sales tax, and local taxes and fees. She emphasized that funds support public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity work, the Cannabis Social Equity Fund, and municipal budgets, and argued that legalization has created pathways for communities harmed by prohibition. The petition’s spokesperson, Wendy Wakeman, argued in favor of repeal, saying legalization has worsened public health, safety, and quality of life, citing higher potency, addiction, youth use, impaired driving, workplace positives, and black-market concerns. Committee members questioned her about the data sources, the will of the voters, the role of paid signature gatherers, and the petition’s funding, including out-of-state and dark-money concerns. Opponents of the initiative then testified that repeal would harm a regulated industry that has created jobs, tax revenue, and social equity opportunities. Caroline Pino of STEM, Kristen Rogers of Levia, Judith Ledbetter of Project De-Stigmatized Healthcare, and Armani White of Firehouse Dispensary/EON described their businesses, community investments, and personal reliance on cannabis, and warned that repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity programs. In public testimony, Lucas Thayer of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and Jeff Rawson, a chemist and consumer protection advocate, also opposed the measure, arguing that regulated cannabis is safer than unregulated products and that repeal would damage investments and public safety. The hearing ended after the public testimony, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want economic development.
• We had to get regulations in place; they had to develop a process.
• in place, they had to develop a process.
• The state of New York already regulates large facilities of all types.
• incentivizing solar development on warehouses and parking lots.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote. The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved. Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a former tourism and economic development director, also with General Services, but now with Ski
• He's a former tourism and economic development director, also with General Services, but now with Ski
• We're very honored to have that kind of economy and that kind of economic development here in our state
• He owns and operates eight golf courses in Arizona and does real estate development.
• Senate Bill 155, introduced by Senator Brandt, an act relating to state government, regulating the use

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulation.
• If you look at the brain development, the earlier you can identify, and specifically this...
• So I tried to close these shops, but instead of closing them, we found a way to regulate.
• But instead of closing them, we found a way to regulate them.
• It provides that the Live Local Act does not apply to areas subject to land development regulations intended

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects. The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are environmental regulations that go along with that kind of a thing.
• <00:31:41.120> that there are environmental regulations that there are environmental regulations
• That statute preempts local units of government from creating their own firearm regulations.
• Lead rules and regulations have proceeded a long way since 1992.
• <01:47:09.239> have lead um lead rules and regulations have lead um lead rules and regulations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment prevents<01:37:01.119> regulator<01:37:02.000> regulator<01:37:02.800>
• > regulators prevents regulator regulator regulators prevents regulator regulator regulators to<01
• expands the definition of regulated expands the definition of regulated persons<01:57:02.400>
• regulations regulations on<02:02:47.920> businesses<02:02:48.560> and<02:02:48.719>
• <03:00:33.520> Now regional economic development. Now regional economic development.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather, it enhances Florida's ability to monitor, report, and regulate international climate altering
• So they already can regulate if a plane will do this, so why do we need the bill?
• If geoengineering could reduce climate change, why prohibit it instead of regulate it?
• Also enhancing teacher retention and personal development.
• by the Office of Insurance Regulation.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 894 is the bullying in private schools bill, putting regulations in place in our private schools.
• This conference report relates to recovery residences regulations.
• Members, House Bill 931, as you may remember, is a bill that helps to regulate recovery residences.
• It gives them another six months to get those regulations in place.
• This conference report relates to recovery residences regulations.

Keywords: March 13, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A growing segment of the market, products like merchant cash advances, avoid regulation by claiming they
• The bill improperly conflates consumer and small business regulation.
• Small businesses are not consumers, and California has long regulated commercial financing differently
• Third, the registration requirements are aligned more to consumer regulations, and they establish broad
• It's very important to have an independent regulator to oversee the insurance fund, especially when it

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Products like merchant cash advances avoid regulation by claiming they are not loans because they rely
• Second, the bill improperly conflates consumer and small business regulation.
• Small businesses are not consumers, and California has long regulated commercial financing differently
• Third, the registration requirements are aligned more to consumer regulations, and they establish broad
• It's very important to have an independent regulator to oversee the insurance fund, especially when it

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS THE STATE REGULATOR OF INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES THE COMMISSION PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR STATE
• I BEGAN MY CAREER AS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER AND BUSINESS OWNER PLANNING AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
• WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY NEW PROJECT I DEVELOPED A CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT PLAN TO
• BUT COMPLEXITY OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION BECAME CLEAR TO ME DURING MY TIME IN THE HOUSE.
• PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE REGULATORY COMMISSIONERS, THIS ALLOWS YOU TO COLLABORATE WITH REGULATORS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hopeful that we are able to develop substantial recommendations as well as develop policy as we head
• We're at around 97,000 licenses under regulation right now.
• We have to develop a new medical benefit policy.
• Monitoring and regulating that program.
• Or use particular forms, or HHSC will develop a new system.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• So this is the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• We know developers out there... Things that we know the public has asked.
• regulations.
• So, you know, having a well-regulated strong market is supported by this proposal. ...having a well-regulated

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Air Resources Board adopted the regulations a couple years later, and it didn't go into full effect
• There are many, many issues that take a while to develop.
• On June 8th, our committee had a hearing on DMV's most recent AV regulations.
• There's going to be massive development potential along the nearly 500-mile corridor.
• Of course, all these are critical in the region where the project is developing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to develop resources to put them in place. trying to develop resources to put them back
• Community-based homes out there, and other resources need to be developed.
• We are just trying to develop some more placements for children.
• really... regulations that bog us down that really aren't helping our clients at all.
• This is a lovely graph we developed.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AI is a new, rapidly developing technology that we are still experimenting with.
• Third, it prevents a developer or employer from avoiding liability by shifting all the blame to health
• Innovation and regulation can and have coexisted for years.
• So this bill simply puts in place accountability to support the safe development and use of AI tools
• Pop-ups on the street corners and parking lots, and they don't have to follow any regulations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all