Transcript Highlights:

• You’re all going to live through challenging time and challenges that were yet to be recognized, but
• If it could be more challengeable, let me...” “...be a better, if it could be more, uh, challengeable
• , less, uh, subject to be challenged.
• be able to, the Attorney General, to see which one is best to challenge, to withstand the challenge,
• and which one in general to see which one it's best to challenge, to withstand the challenge, and which

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first deferred House Bill 1102 without hearing it. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 66, which urges Louisiana Economic Development and other state agencies to continue studying rural parishes’ economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. Representative Weible and Secretary Bougoir described the resolution as part of a broader effort to align state rural programs and create a strategic framework for rural development. Members emphasized infrastructure, workforce training, local coordination, and retaining young people in rural communities. An amendment requiring LED to report to the legislature by January 1, 2027 was adopted, and HCR 66 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered Senate Bill 102, which would allow qualified trade associations for motor vehicle dealers to bring declaratory and injunctive actions against manufacturers on behalf of dealers. Senator Presley and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association said the bill would consolidate similar disputes into one action, reduce costs, and help smaller dealers avoid retaliation or uneven litigation. Questions focused on standing, the limited remedies, and whether the bill would affect nontraditional sales models. Technical amendments were adopted, and SB 102 was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 521, concerning banks’ continued use of a non-surviving bank’s name after mergers or consolidations, drew the most debate. Senator Boudreau and former Senator Fred Mills said the bill would preserve community-bank identity while following FDIC guidance on clear disclosure and consumer notice. Several members raised concerns about codifying federal guidance, future changes to federal rules, and whether the bill should instead set a fixed transition period; an amendment to limit use of the old name to 24 months was adopted after discussion. Another proposed amendment tying the bill to 1998 FDIC branch-name guidance failed on a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably. The committee also advanced House Bill 387, which narrows the scope of incidental engineering work by architects and clarifies the state fire marshal’s authority to review plans under both architecture and engineering laws, and House Bill 1228, which updates hearing-aid dealer licensing and consumer-protection rules, including testing periods, cooling-off rights, and refund/cancellation procedures. Both bills were reported favorably with technical amendments. The transcript then shifted to additional measures, including House Bill 975 on Public Service Commission reconstitution and several Senate bills by Senator Abraham on self-storage facilities and contractor licensing, but the provided text cuts off before those items are fully concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agency on 11.6. agency on 11.6.
• The the that lead sole agency.
• in one agency, they shouldn't be getting a grant in another agency.
• </c><01:16:28.400><c> agency.
• in one agency, they shouldn’t be getting a grant in another agency.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These challenges were underscored by a recent 2025 report from the University of California, San Diego
• This will help identify students who are having challenges in math early and connect students with timely
• This bill will not address all of California's math challenges, and we don't express that it does, but
• We have faced the same challenge in other cases where threats were directed at the campus broadly.
• This is why we're giving the local education agencies the flexibility to be able to do that.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is certainly a challenge I've heard from a couple of my colleagues.
• Geographic lead agencies have created a needs assessment template that highlights some of these best
• , recruitment and retention challenges, and the expansion of inclusive education environments.
• We have challenges for small schools. We have challenges with an insufficient COLA.
• We have challenges for special education. And I think, as Mr.

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2 appropriates the funding for one-times in community agencies.
• We were on page 3, starting on line 39, One-times in community agencies.
• The challenge is, what do I say to Kent and Sussex, who did it right?
• Would Teen Challenge be on this or not? Yes, sir. They are on page 8, line 50. Thank you.
• Section 5 outlines the requirements that an agency must meet to be considered for grant and aid.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, In a jurisdiction, a roundabout was introduced without coordination with the fire agency
• And the final kind of part is agencies.
• I do think that it challenges, though, the change of behavior on the person.
• We've been dealing with those challenges over the years.
• I have someone I call vertically challenged because I'm vertically challenged, and they use a seat, a

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met and began without a quorum, first hearing AB 612 by Assembly Member Rogers and later AB 435 by Assembly Member Wilson. AB 612 would direct Caltrans to update the highway design manual so local jurisdictions consult with fire departments on major road improvements. Supporters, including the California Professional Firefighters and labor representatives, said the bill would improve emergency response and prevent road designs from hindering fire apparatus. County representatives said they were not opposed but wanted the bill narrowed to avoid mandatory consultation on minor maintenance projects or in areas without a local fire district. Several members praised the bill as common-sense safety legislation, and it was moved forward to Appropriations. The committee then adopted its rules and approved a seven-bill consent calendar. AB 435 would update California child passenger safety law to require children under 10 to be properly restrained in the back seat, require children ages 10 to 13 to remain in the back seat unless they pass the five-step seat belt fit test, and require the five-step test before a child may ride in the front seat. The author and supporters, including Safe Kids Greater Sacramento, Safety Belt Safe USA, AAA, the Automobile Club, and hospitals, argued the bill would align state law with national best practices and improve child safety. Committee members raised concerns about enforceability, implementation timing, pickup trucks, large families, and low-speed vehicles, and the author said he was open to amendments and additional data, including California-specific information. AB 435 was advanced to the Committee on Appropriations after discussion. AB 612 also received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee held rolls open to allow additional members to add on, then later confirmed the votes and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the bill improves state agency coordination by requiring agencies to designate a Safe at Home
• ,</c> Secretary of State's office, agencies, Secretary of State's office, agencies, and<00:36:09.960>
• , the lead law enforcement agency.
• ,</c><00:51:20.680><c> the</c> uh the the law enforcement agency, the uh the the law enforcement agency
• </c> lead law enforcement agency. lead law enforcement agency.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but whether they fit all of your core values for your agency.
• , but do they fit all of your core values for your agency?
• It also recognizes the challenges of funding this and the need that we have to do that.
• It also recognizes the challenges of funding this and the need that we have to do that.
• I have friends in every single one of these agencies.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 18, 2026, and heard staff briefings and public testimony on several familiar bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5068 would broaden eligibility for law enforcement, civil service, prosecuting attorney, and Fish and Wildlife officer jobs to anyone legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, replacing references to lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients. Supporters, including Sen. Lovick and King County, said it would expand the applicant pool and align state law with federal work authorization rules; opponents raised concerns about background checks, visa fraud, and whether the bill could allow people without U.S. citizenship to serve in sensitive public safety roles. The committee also heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, which would require community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm offenses; law enforcement and prosecutors supported it as an accountability measure, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission urged more specificity and cautioned against over-supervision for lower-level cases. The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, which expands school-related interference and intimidation offenses to include employees, contractors, students, and officials or volunteers involved in extracurricular athletic activities, increases penalties, and requires non-student offenders to be barred from the school or activity for 12 to 18 months. Sen. Lovick and several witnesses, including referee Bob West, supported the bill as a response to rising abuse of sports officials and school personnel. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, which would codify and fund community policing partnerships at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, with annual reporting requirements; the mayors of Lakewood and Medical Lake testified in support, saying the programs had reduced calls and improved safety. A major portion of the meeting focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT/protective gear, and other hazardous conditions. Supporters, including Sen. Valdez, the King County prosecutor, local officials, and several public commenters, argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, especially in response to masked federal immigration enforcement. Opponents warned about officer safety, doxing, weather and smoke conditions, and possible conflict with federal law; committee members and stakeholders discussed a possible amendment tied to Labor and Industries rules to address protective coverings in hazardous conditions. The chair said the committee would take executive action on SB 5272, SB 5286, and SB 5268 the next day, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony on SB 5855.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Health is currently by both agencies Health is currently by both agencies because<00:25:10.960><
• It's in our agency work.
• And justifications for the challenges, the real challenges that DCR faces in the short term.
• </c> challenge.
• And so that is the challenge challenge.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The working group convened with all members present, approved the minutes from its October 16, 2025 meeting and its October 28, 2025 Halawa Correctional Facility site visit by unanimous consent, and received no public testimony on the agenda or minutes. The chair then reviewed the statutory timeline under Act 292/SB 104, noting the group continues until January 8, 2027, and discussed required reporting dates and the need to develop a work plan for the remaining meetings. The chair also said the October 16 DCR presentation would be treated as satisfying the group’s interim-report purpose, though the legal reporting obligations to the Legislature and oversight commission still needed to be sorted out. The main discussion focused on DCR’s proposed amendments to Act 292 and the department’s interim report. Director Johnson said the department’s October 16 presentation included recommended statutory amendments because the law, as written, could not be fully complied with; the proposals were described as section-by-section changes intended to address implementation problems. Members discussed several specific issues, including transfer language for higher levels of care, the 2010 MOA with the Department of Health, and replacing “physician” with “clinician” to reflect staffing realities. DCR explained that the change would allow licensed clinicians, including APRNs and doctors of osteopathy, to make decisions when physicians are not on duty, and that the MOA is being updated so transfers can occur from any DCR facility to the state hospital. An OHA staff member gave a detailed critique of the proposed amendments, saying they would weaken Act 292’s intent by reducing procedural protections, expanding exceptions, and relying on aspirational language such as “strive” and “if practicable.” OHA also raised concerns about the lack of baseline data on restrictive housing use and said the department’s report showed serious operational problems, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, limited space for private medical or mental health exams, and the use of suicide/safety cells for people who may not need mental health treatment. DCR responded that it had requested 35 new medical positions in the budget, supported by the governor, and said those positions are needed to meet basic care obligations for people in custody. The group did not take a vote on the proposed amendments. Instead, members agreed to continue the discussion, with the chair saying the reports, settlement tracker, 2010 MOA, and comparison guidelines would be distributed and used as the basis for future work. In the final discussion on work-plan priorities, members identified staffing shortages, physical plant limitations, and the need to examine humane alternatives and implementation challenges as key topics for upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• especially when it comes to condominiums, homeowners have had to of either go through directly the agency
• I am now forced to file bankruptcy because of negligence or wrongdoing that the cause of a challenge
• There is currently no effective mechanism for letters to challenge and proper approvals are obtained
• I represent policyholders everyday Floridians across the state and I know the challenges they face and
• My concerns lie where I believe that we need to have a state agency to addressed when we talk and we

Transcript Highlights:

• aligning the rules and review processes with planning cycles, we can promote consistency, free up agency
• Districts' desire for future conditions are challenged.
• In the event that a desired future plan is challenged, HB3609 allows the Texas Water Development Board
• Funding water projects is important if a desired future plan is challenged.
• There was just kind of a little hole in terms of desired future conditions when they are challenged.

Bills: HB16 , HB1618 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2970 , HB3609 , HB3628 , HB16

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control, flood management, water quality, conservation district, bonds, utility rates, ratemaking, water services

Transcript Highlights:

• COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY IS ANOTHER PARTNER KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE A KEY POINT OF WRAPAROUND SERVICES.
• THE AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS FOR THE PROGRAM.
• TALK TO US ABOUT SOME CHALLENGES YOU MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE WAY SINCE YOU HAVE THE COMMITTEE
• SITTING AND LISTENING TALK TO US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES. >> Chair: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> GREAT QUESTION
• THE SECOND QUESTION AS FAR AS THE CHALLENGES THERE WILL BE MORE CHALLENGES TO COME.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a challenging conversation, of course, because you've got two agencies deciding which one is better
• It is a challenging conversation, of course, because you've got two agencies deciding which one is better
• It is a challenging conversation, of course, because you've got two agencies deciding which one is better
• </c><01:08:56.480><c> might</c> idea was was that some agencies might idea was was that some agencies
• </c> accompanying it will not be challenged accompanying it will not be challenged so<01:14:08.000><c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's baked into the appropriations that you make to the agencies.
• I will tell you that there are so many states facing challenges.
• We conduct dozens of meetings with the agencies—both your traditional cabinet agencies and all entities
• I've told you a lot of agencies their appropriations...
• You'll see correlating increases as it relates to that agency.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California's local agencies face extreme plan-checking delays.
• Currently, engagement with tribal governance can vary across agencies.
• Some agencies have established practices in place while others do not.
• Currently, engagement with tribal governance can vary across agencies.
• Some agencies have established practices in place while others do not.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on this committee, I am here from the Governor's Office talking about the continuation of a board agency
• , which is a bit unique. ...about the continuation of a board agency, which is a bit unique, and so I
• It's a challenge with the four staff that I have, but what my director has done, Dr.
• She and her team—I have challenged them to start training in July.
• , whether it be a federal agency, in this case, a specific question regarding ICE.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference first heard a sunset review of the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board. Governor’s Office staff explained that the board was created in 2016 to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by providing a state guarantee that improves credit ratings, but the board has no dedicated staff or budget and is now largely in a monitoring role because it has reached its statutory leverage cap. Members discussed the long maturities of the approved financings, whether rural districts might benefit from additional capacity, and why a 10-year continuation was being requested. The committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years until July 1, 2036. The committee then heard a sunset review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional student access programs—WUE, WRGP, and PSEP—along with behavioral health fidelity reviews and cooperative purchasing savings. Testimony emphasized tuition savings for Arizona students, the return of health care graduates to Arizona, and the value of regional collaboration. The committee voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years until July 1, 2036. Finally, the committee reviewed the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, but many sampled schools were not fully complying with requirements such as operational plans, safety teams, training, activity logs, and reimbursement documentation. The department agreed with the finding and said it would implement the recommendations. The school safety director responded that the department has already begun tightening monitoring, training, and documentation procedures, and he answered questions about emergency plans and campus safety. No further action was taken on the audit, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the future implementation of the programs that are moving to HDFC, we've been working with our agency
• With all the reorg and HCD and different agencies, a homelessness or their agency council, it's a lot
• My name is Danielle Brazel, and I have the distinct honor of leading this incredible agency.
• The Arts Council was established in 1976 as a state arts agency.
• The $50 million ask is not for local assistance grant funding, not the total agency budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the state, in turn, would be required to notify local agencies if applicants can't provide proof
• But this is an obvious gap in the system that we've created, and it's a challenge for local community
• ... ...an obvious gap in the system that we've created, and it's a challenge for local communities.
• here is kind of a big responsibility for an agency that has very limited resources.
• And that's a problem that HOAs or the local agencies should be able to weigh in on.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a it's a multi- agency uh fund.
• /c> there's another potential challenge there's another potential challenge there.<00:47:34.400><c> And
• So, it's not a within the the agency.
• Um, challenged. were stretched already.
• This is an incredibly oversight agency.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to recap, our agency, while we're not the most widely known, we're there when you need us, and we've
• been around since 1951 when we were founded and have since then remained a pretty lean agency.
• Since then, we've remained a pretty lean agency.
• We did do a reduction in force for a portion of our agency this year and repurposed positions.
• It doesn't go to fund our agency, as mentioned.

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from Emergency Management Director Annie Verst for the General Government appropriations budget. She described the agency’s core role as coordinating disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation, emphasizing that local governments lead initial response while the state supports recovery and resource coordination. Verst highlighted recent activity including wildfire-related declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy, and restructuring efforts that repurposed positions toward regional coordination and reduced administrative overhead. A major focus of the presentation was uncertainty around federal funding. Verst said FEMA programs and obligations have been delayed or canceled in some cases, including hazard mitigation assistance and disaster case management, and that the agency is seeking state support to cover possible gaps. She outlined requests for a $3.7 million federal funding loss contingency, $1 million for updating the state hazard mitigation plan, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund and 12.5% public assistance obligations, and $800,000 for anticipated other needs/temporary sheltering cost share. She also explained that most of the agency’s large revolving and pass-through balances cannot be used for operating costs. Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, including whether it is funded by OEM and whether the agency is shifting toward response rather than mitigation. Verst said Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, that out-of-state deployments are reimbursed, and that the agency sees its role as coordination and recovery rather than replacing local response. She also explained the revolving fund for disaster advances, the timing of reimbursements, and the purpose of the hazard mitigation plan update. No votes or formal actions were taken, and the hearing concluded with thanks and adjournment.