Transcript Highlights:

• So our primary purpose has not been impacted by these moves.
• At this point in time, we are seeing our grant programs are coming to a close.
• Our grant programs are coming to a close.
• DIR is California's primary labor and workplace safety agency, established in 1927.
• I'll close by saying it is for these reasons we request your support for $30 million.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on labor and public employment issues from the Employment Development Department (EDD), the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The committee first focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, language access, fraud prevention, and the Integrated Claims Management System (ICMS). The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged closer legislative oversight, especially as the project moves into the most difficult phase. Senators asked about the revised timeline, total cost, fraud reduction, stress testing, transparency around change orders, and the decision to phase in disability insurance and paid family leave before unemployment insurance. EDD said the overall project cost remained about $1.2 billion, that it had no major cost overruns, and that it had saved more than $20 million by shifting some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The subcommittee then considered CWDB’s request for additional operational resources and trailer bill language to streamline reporting. CWDB and the Department of Finance said staffing had been expanded during the pandemic-era surge in grant funding and should now be reduced as one-time grant programs wind down. Senators questioned the proposed staffing reduction, arguing that workforce development needs remain strong and that the board’s policy role still requires adequate capacity. The committee also discussed a proposal to consolidate multiple annual and interim reports into a single biennial report, with LAO supporting the streamlining. Members asked about reporting for specific programs and the cost savings from reducing duplicative evaluations. A major portion of the hearing addressed DIR’s proposed reforms to the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and related workload funding. DIR and LAO described rapid growth in applications, a large and growing backlog, and sharply rising liabilities and employer assessments. The administration’s trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply reforms to open cases, and use contemporaneous evidence and QME reports to document preexisting disabilities. LAO said the proposal largely matched its prior recommendations and would help return the program to its original intent. Senators raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented preexisting conditions, and whether the QME system could absorb the added workload. The committee also heard DIR’s request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, with members objecting that some vacancies reflect unmet enforcement and safety needs rather than excess capacity. The hearing continued with DIR proposals for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff, permanent changes to Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition deadlines, and apprenticeship-related funding increases. DIR sought 14 permanent positions for its Bureau of Investigation to handle serious workplace fatalities and injuries, and members emphasized the importance of timely investigations and family communication. The WCAB requested making permanent a 2024 change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed; the board said this had reduced the number of cases awaiting decisions from 637 to 460. Finally, DIR proposed increasing apprenticeship training grants from $3 million to $20 million annually using the Apprenticeship Training Contribution Fund, citing an $80 million fund balance and workforce demand tied to rebuilding and infrastructure needs, and then began discussion of a separate request to expand pre-apprenticeship programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like to close? Well, thank you, Chair.
• Assembly Member Lowenthal, would you like to close?
• Assemblymember, would you like to close? Sure.
• Would you like to close? Thank you, Mr. Senator.
• So, Assemblymember, where would you like to close?

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1159, which would update California student data privacy law for educational technology and college-level platforms. The author and supporters argued that students’ personal information is being collected and used far beyond educational purposes, including sensitive health and demographic data, and said the bill would limit misuse and add stronger privacy protections. Support came from privacy, labor, education, and civil rights groups, while opposition from college store and industry representatives focused on narrowing the definition of “operator,” preserving institution-related communications, and concerns about the bill’s private right of action. Members raised questions about how the bill would affect scholarships, financial aid, adult students, consent, and litigation; the author said the bill includes a right to cure and notice to the Attorney General. The committee voted 4-0 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the measure placed on call. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with specified addictive design features and create a youth safety commission. The author, pediatric and safety advocates, and several public supporters argued that social media companies intentionally design compulsive features that harm youth mental health, sleep, and development, and that the bill is a necessary product-safety response. Opponents argued the bill is overbroad, may be ineffective, raises First Amendment concerns, and could cut off vulnerable youth from important online support networks. Members focused heavily on possible amendments, especially a non-addictive feed option for younger users and strengthening the commission; the author said he was open to those changes and to further work with the committees. The bill was moved to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote and placed on call. At the end of the excerpt, the author began presenting a third measure, AB 2076, which would strengthen California’s Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act by adding nitrous oxide to the list of age-verified dangerous products, banning purchase with gift cards or store credit, and increasing penalties for large sellers. The author described nitrous oxide as increasingly accessible to minors online and cited enforcement gaps in the current law, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• interim with a review of recommendations that have been presented throughout the interim, and we'll close
• And by the time I even got a chance to talk to anybody on this issue, open enrollment for both my primary
• job and for the House of Delegates had passed,... ...open enrollment for both my primary job and for
• I spoke in multiple local governments, and they've all said, we love ASL, we'd love closed captions,
• I've worked very closely with him and actually developed a two-year curriculum to be introduced to our

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary alkaloid in plain leaf is mitragynine.
• The primary benefit of natural kratom is pain relief.
• Any closing comments from the sponsor, or are you okay with where we're headed?
• Any closing comments from the We are due up on the floor at 10.30.
• Any closing comments from the sponsor or you're okay with where we're headed?

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court in the Marabelle case stated that secret social transition plans, and I quote, ‘cut the primary
• I'm going to take two more in-person testimonies, and then we're going to move to closing and voting
• Because House Bill 22 would ensure that parents remain the primary protectors and educators of their
• And look at sections five and six, if you would, close.
• And look at sections five and six, if you would close.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5, 2026, then took up House Bill 681, which would remove the statute of limitations for aggravated lewd conduct with a child and for producing or making sexually exploitive material. The sponsor and the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association said the bill would help prosecute serious child sexual abuse cases, including cases involving delayed reporting and AI-generated child sexual abuse material. A motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed unanimously. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 822, a parental rights bill requiring schools and health care providers to notify parents when a minor requests assistance with social transition or related changes. Supporters argued it protects parental rights and prevents secret transitions; opponents said it could endanger vulnerable youth, create vague reporting duties, and expose providers and schools to excessive penalties. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed 12-4, and the original motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1296, which updates Idaho’s criminal trespass law to create a specific offense for disrupting worship services at houses of worship and sets misdemeanor penalties for intentional interference. Supporters said it would protect churches from harassment and disruption while preserving lawful protest. After limited testimony, the committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• depending on what kind of disease we thought it might be, because we work very collaboratively and closely
• Primary reasons cited in the written comments for opposition included wanting allowances for retrieval
• Yes, your time’s up, but that was kind of really close. Thank you, Mr. Peck.
• Yes, your time's up, but that was kind of really close.
• is teaching a generation to learn the animals, learn their habitat, learn how and when you can get close

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll close out with a summary of what we've covered so far this year and the two meetings we've
• We now have close to 400 partners across the state, and they are the of our media quarterly media updates
• We'll look at that a little bit more, but those are the two primary methods it funds itself really drives
• I don't know if it's 23 different public housing authorities or close to that number. vouchers.
• And that the second eight vouchers are being used, and HUD is monitoring that very closely.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I now close the hearing on HB 373.
• I now close the hearing on HB 413. Right.
• </c><01:51:49.079><c> with</c> different and I worked very closely with different and I worked very closely
• </c><04:45:53.760><c> reasons</c> one of the one of the primary reasons one of the one of the primary
• </c> The chair closes the executive session on House Bill 123.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But my primary focus is retail.
• They outweigh the ridiculous decision to close down that mine.
• We do work closely with our labs, and I will let Dean Corbell respond to those.
• Closing us out will be Representative Duncan. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• We were closed during those COVID years.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• . most of them primary purpose statutes. most of them have<00:15:52.320><c> a</c><00:15:52.560><c> primary
• All right, I'll close the hearing. Should this go to subcommittee to get an amendment?
• The chair thanked the witness, and the hearing moved toward closing testimony. lensure.
• Harian Stavros, or something similar, close enough.
• I'm closing the public hearing and, uh, thank you all for lasting as long as you did.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It serves as the primary constitution. that are not eligible for AUF or Puff support.
• Although you would never know it by our football fans, we also work closely with Texas A&M.
• The people themselves are really the primary when you're recruiting your 100.
• Let me close this out. Is there any other business come for the committee?
• Let me close this out. Is there any other business come for the committee?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met to review interim charges on the Permanent University Fund (PUF), the Available University Fund (AUF), the Higher Education Fund (HEAF), and the Texas University Fund (TUF). Legislative Budget Board staff outlined how each fund works, including PUF’s constitutional role for UT and Texas A&M, HEAF’s capital support for institutions outside those systems, and TUF’s research funding for eligible universities. They also described TUF’s growing corpus and distribution changes, and noted which institutions are nearing eligibility. Committee members asked about distribution formulas, comparisons to other states, and how funds are allocated among system institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the roll. There being 83 ayes and 47 nays, the motion prevails.
• It has affected some of us very close to home.
• </c> very close to home. very close to home.
• The clerk will close the roll. "I can't. I just closed it." [clears throat] "Mr. Speaker." "Mr.
• Speaker, you had closed the roll.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think over the last year we've developed a very close working relationship built on shared goals and
• working relationship built on very close working relationship built on shared<00:08:04.879><c> goals
• The second primary reason why this will be a superior program is that, unlike Michigan, our community
• </c><00:14:53.839><c> The</c><00:14:54.160><c> second</c><00:14:54.560><c> primary</c><00:14:55.120><
• The second primary reason are released.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you and the primary subsource was Igor Danchenko, right? That's correct, Senator.
• This is someone close to the President. This is inappropriate." What would you do? Simple.
• I have to tell you, I saw up close and personal how politically weaponized the FBI had become.
• Do you really think that closing the intel branch will make Americans safer?
• Before I close the meeting, do you have anything you want to say?

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Lewin, reaching out to primary care into this community.
• Primary Care Association. Is there Primary Care Association.
• <c> Hawaii</c><00:16:55.839><c> Medical</c> Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Primary Care Association
• </c><00:27:11.720><c> care</c> um pediatricians and primary care um pediatricians and primary care providers
• </c><00:43:45.120><c> um</c> will also be part of this primary um will also be part of this primary um

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is as close as we can get to in-home dependencies.
• And as we think about things like primary, secondary, and tertiary services and supports, what level
• And we don't do a lot as much on the prevention end or the primary as I would like, I know.
• And we don't do a lot as much on the prevention end or the primary as I would like, I know.
• The next slide outlines our primary recommendations to continue moving this work forward.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on child welfare dependency, focusing on implementation of HB 1227 (Keeping Families Together) and SB 6109 (the fentanyl response bill), along with related data and system updates. DCYF first reviewed the dependency process, explaining intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, and review hearings, and emphasized that removal standards are separate from service provision and that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different stages. DCYF said 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with relatives or suitable others. The department also said 6109 directs courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added legal liaisons to support staff in court preparation. DCYF presented data showing that entries into out-of-home care declined after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels. The agency also reported a sharp increase in reviewable critical incidents in 2022-2025, especially near-fatalities, which it linked to the opioid and fentanyl crisis, parental stress, and system complexity. DCYF said it has responded with statewide Safe Child Councils, staff consultations, hotspot monitoring, and additional training, and noted that some contracted services authorized under 6109 were not implemented because of fiscal constraints. Senators asked about where children are in the process, who participates in court, the timing of data releases, age breakdowns, and geographic hotspots. Advocates and lived-experience witnesses from LCYC and a family intervention clinic argued that 1227 has not prevented courts from removing children when necessary and said the law appropriately requires the state to show a causal link between home conditions and risk. They said 6109 appropriately highlights fentanyl’s danger, but stressed that the larger issue is lack of prevention and treatment resources, inconsistent county-by-county practice, and insufficient supports such as inpatient beds, family treatment, housing, transportation, and third-party safety plan participants. A parent ally described how early support, peer guidance, and kin placement helped her achieve recovery and stability after losing parental rights in an earlier case. The committee also heard an update on SB 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, found that some data already exist while other measures need development, and recommended a phased data collection plan, a restored data-sharing agreement between AOC and DCYF, and a standing cross-agency work group. AOC said its dependency data system lapsed when the prior agreement expired in June 2025 and needs to be rebuilt. The meeting also included a brief update on bridge housing for youth exiting inpatient treatment, with presenters saying two programs are now open, one in King County and one in Spokane, and a short introduction to juvenile rehabilitation capacity updates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earning a certificate should open doors, not close them.
• Earning a certificate should open doors, not close them.
• Summer Crowell, we'd like to close, please. Thanks so much.
• So we would like to close, please. Thank you so much. So we would like to close, please.
• Seeing none, we would like to close, please.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, public testimony is closed. Public testimony is closed.
• Public testimony is closed. Thank you.
• Seeing none, public testimony is closed.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.

Bills: HB33 , HB45 , HB48 , HB1261 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB2596 , HB5238 , SB2969 , HB45 , HB48

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to primary elections to authorize a new special primary election for congressional districts
• Relating<00:04:05.920><c> to</c><00:04:06.000><c> primary</c><00:04:06.400><c> elections</c><00:04:06.920
• ><c> to</c> Relating to primary elections to Relating to primary elections to authorize<00:04:07.480>
• ><c> election</c> authorize a new special primary election authorize a new special primary election for
• </c><00:04:15.600><c> election</c><00:04:16.000><c> for</c> to call a special primary election for to

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer and pledge led by Todd Russell of ALCAP, followed by roll call showing 32 senators present, establishing a quorum. Senator Wagner moved to excuse absent senators and to dispense with reading the previous day’s journal; both motions were adopted without objection. No bills were introduced during the bill introduction segment. Under committee reports, the Committee on County and Municipal Government reported House Bill 1 favorably by a vote of 6 yeas and 3 nays. The bill concerns primary elections and would authorize a special primary election for congressional districts affected by a federal court ruling, require the governor to call such an election under certain conditions, set an election calendar, and address qualification of affected candidates. The title was read, and the bill received second reading and was placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. After committee reports concluded, Senator Gudger moved to adjourn until 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, and the Senate adjourned by voice vote. Before adjournment, the presiding officer recognized special guests in the gallery, including fourth graders from Springville Elementary, guests of Senator Bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony is closed. Close. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1442.
• We're not closing the barn door after it's already out; we're closing it ahead of time.
• Okay, I just want to close. All right.
• Public testimony is closed.
• Public testimony is closed. All right.

Bills: SB34 , SB119 , SB261 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB1245 , SB1247 , SB1267 , SB1442 , SB1930 , SB1948 , SB2078 , SB2112 , SB2143 , SB2155

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature