Transcript Highlights:

• water plan, engaging with the state leadership to explain its benefits, and now we are executing this
• So the state water plan, listed TRA is providing reuse water to the metroplex.
• According to inflation adjusted data from the state water plan.
• of reuse and are in the state water plan.
• But only 4% of the most recent state water plan is composed of reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our point, you talk about defending state law, let's talk about defending state law.
• This footprint supports 93 state agencies and 238 cities across the state of Texas.
• The next page covers the Permian Basin Reliability Plan. transmission planning.
• And put you in a very, very difficult position and I stated last session on state affairs.
• We will not be implementing it.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and preparedness across the state.
• Specifically in state law. This kind of makes it easier to tackle these in state law.
• I'll also note that 36 other states have passed criminal penalties in state law for kickbacks, so we.
• It is accessible to other states.
• Implementing this three-year average, as Representative Feist stated, is a cost-neutral proposal.

Bills: HF1354, HF1901, HF2124, HF2130, HF2260, HF2099, HF104, HF134, HF1769

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already adopted across the state.
• He's a long-range planning manager there.
• Other tools available under state law.
• I've been at planning a long time now since 1978. I've been planning a long time now since 1978.
• You know, how do you manage the workload that is long-range planning, current planning, enforcement,

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of her planning—what are the results of your planning?
• But a plan—just funding for just planning—is not a goal.
• Why aren't they doing the planning and you guys doing the implementation?
• Everyone's creating their own little plans, and there's not a big state strategy that everyone has to
• plans and there's not a big state plans and there's not a big state strategy<01:18:59.840> that

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A 2022 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures examined state-level strategies to recruit
• combining efforts and our behavioral health state funds to guide six districts in developing and implementing
• psychologists in some states.
• The state. The state had nothing to do with the residencies. They just knew where they were.
• The PSB in-person sessions create clarity and coherence across the state. The state.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, training development, we will implement those project management plans, as they've stated.
• This plan was developed in accordance with the federal State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, which
• This plan covers all areas of the state and applies to all of the state agencies.
• Notably, this plan was not designed to be implemented.
• Funding for the digital equity capacity grant program that the state had planned to leverage to implement

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've implemented that this biennium.
• When does, is the PUC planning to implement this directive from the governor?
• So when do you all plan to undergo that rulemaking?
• How are y'all doing with implementation on that, that order?
• Um, our, our implementation is complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• So your request is to move $3.3 million out of HCBS into the state, the case management state-only line
• Fletcher, does the state-case management state-only line item have a shortfall this year, this fiscal
• Do all states have a state-only plan before they're eligible for Medicaid? Mr.
• What percent of that bill has been implemented, and what has not been implemented?
• But what else has been implemented, I'm sorry, I can't speak to any of the other implementation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first went into executive session and then returned to approve settlements in three risk management cases based on a motion to accept the Attorney General’s proposed settlement. After that, JLBC staff presented item 1 on the School Facilities Division construction cost index, recommending a 4.8% increase for fiscal year 2027 with retroactive application to December 10, 2025; members asked about why prior years had zero adjustments during the Great Recession, and the committee approved the item. Items 2A and 2B concerned Arizona Department of Education reports. For 2A, staff reviewed ADE’s annual federal monies report, noting fiscal 2026 federal funds of $1.38 billion, up from $1.27 billion the prior year, and the committee gave favorable review. For 2B, staff summarized the annual Career and Technical Education District report, including enrollment, expenditures, retention, and credential completion rates; members questioned the low 37% retention rate and asked for more comparative and explanatory data, but the committee still gave favorable review. Item 3A addressed a DES transfer of $3.3 million from the Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid line item to the state-only case management line item for developmental disability services. DES said both areas faced shortfalls and that the transfer would help immediate cash-flow needs, but members raised concerns about growth in the state-only program, possible migration into Arizona for services, fraud controls, and whether the department had formally notified the Legislature of the deficiency. The committee attached conditions requiring formal deficiency letters, monthly reporting on DDD populations by diagnosis, and a review of Minnesota audit findings, then approved the item. Item 3B, the Arizona Training Program at Coolidge annual review, was also approved. Finally, item 4 proposed transferring $650,000 from unused special election funds to the Secretary of State’s cybersecurity monitoring and management budget. The Secretary of State’s office said the money would support 24/7 monitoring, endpoint protection, and remediation of identified vulnerabilities, and members debated the office’s federal outreach and the March 1 deadline tied to county reimbursement for AVID-related costs. Despite concerns from some members about communication and the size of the remaining appropriation, the committee gave favorable review to the $650,000 transfer and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, you included Secure Choice, a state retirement plan option for
• I think there's value in saying that there are states within the United States that do not collect state
• Administered by the state, employees would be able to contribute to this voluntary plan via automatic
• Seventeen other states have already implemented similar programs, and I don't know...
• Seventeen other states have already implemented similar programs, and the data from states like Oregon

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need clear accountability for implementation, and we need ongoing collaboration between state agencies
• Twenty-eight other states already have this requirement in place, and dental plans, including Delta Dental
• I also helped Sonoma State implement medication abortion services after SB 24 and have consulted with
• Implementing multiple service pathways simultaneously will take careful planning and support.
• In California, we work on implementation of mental health parity and access laws with regulators, plans

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By 2003, a state-local matched cost-sharing arrangement was implemented.
• In 2018, SB 30 modified the ratio of the state to local funding, potentially enabling the state to finance
• The FMAR combines three elements: the state statute-required preventive maintenance plan and the use
• About 19 percent of the state was performing good maintenance, and 35 percent of the state was in the
• We currently have a robust educational program that we've implemented across the state of New Mexico,

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan will be to send this over to state government.
• Essentially, what it's saying is that health plans right now under state law, even if one person is in
• So in this amendment it states that health plans would need to give 90 days' notice if they were planning
• um health plans right now under state um health plans right now under state law<01:04:28.760>
• that that health amendment it states that that health plans<01:04:56.440> would<01:04:56.680>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state of Texas.
• When Planned Parenthood was, in fact, providing abortions in the state of Texas.
• I travel the state, talk to vets all over the state.
• within our state. state.
• banned them for all the students in our state. state.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many states implemented a 10,000-foot buffer zone for that sort of thing.
• many<00:36:15.119> states Planned Parenthood um state, many states Planned Parenthood um
• state, many states implemented<00:36:16.800> a<00:36:17.040> 10,000<00:36:17.359> ft
• Uh, you know, in my past work at the State Office of Planning and um the county and the city, um, you
• transportation plan and the state transportation plan and propose<01:19:09.520> um<01:19:10.000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second is that it required states to implement community engagement requirements, also colloquially
• on implementing these.
• These are state employees from other state forestry agencies.
• to water resource management and ecosystem restoration, and each project implemented under the plan aligns
• The plan is being implemented over 35 years, and again, to highlight a few real-life projects here across

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some have gone to other states.
• Some have gone to other states.
• But the horses were still racing in North State. Yes, they were still racing in the North State.
• And again, it's the North State versus Southern California, the entire North State.
• And you blamed it on Golden State. And Golden State was a disaster from the beginning.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a reference of bills to committee. The committee first approved or advanced a series of appointments not required to appear, including Paulette Brown Hines to the California Transportation Commission, Christopher Clark and Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Maggie Hallahan to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Kent Sasaki to the Building Standards Commission, and Danielle N. Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The committee also approved the reference of bills to committees. The committee then heard from Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, for reappointment to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Board. She described her public health background, her family’s experience with asthma, and her work on agricultural burning phaseouts, mobile-source emissions strategies, AB 617 community programs, and climate and air-quality education. Members questioned her about the economic impacts of air rules on agriculture, the district’s approach to mobile-source reductions amid federal uncertainty, AB 617 community outcomes, and how she communicates climate and air-quality issues. The appointment was approved and moved to the full Senate. The committee next considered three California Horse Racing Board reappointments: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Thomas Hudnut, J.D. The nominees and committee members discussed horse and rider safety improvements, the sharp decline in equine fatalities, the impact of Golden Gate Fields’ closure on Northern California racing, declining interest in the sport, and possible revenue options such as racing-on-demand machines and other gambling-related changes. Public witnesses from the racing industry spoke in support. All three appointments were approved and sent to the full Senate. Finally, the committee heard from Julie Lee and Ann Patterson, J.D., for the Delta Stewardship Council. Both emphasized the Delta’s importance to statewide water supply, ecosystem protection, science-based decision-making, climate adaptation, and community engagement. Senators asked about the council’s co-equal goals, the role of science and social science, public trust, and whether the council’s mission should continue after specific projects are resolved. A public witness from the Association of California Water Agencies supported both nominees. Both appointments were approved and moved to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• to UTRGV, Sam Houston State, and the University of Houston, all across the state.
• This includes reallocating district budgets, developing action plans, and implementing staffing models
• state funding to accommodate the plan or the program or the system.
• Without culture and implementation, these districts around the state that are adopting new high-quality
• Without culture and implementation, these districts around the state that are adopting new high quality

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• winery to a resident of the state.
• impacts to the customers in this state. impacts to the customers in this state.
• more efficient use of state dollars. more efficient use of state dollars.
• a plan year or calendar year timeline. a plan year or calendar year timeline.
• irrespective of available state funding. irrespective of available state funding.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the state, just a little commentary first, the state should be leading as a model employer.
• I mean, these are all like state contracts, state-led initiatives.
• And if they are, they have to serve the whole state. So we have the diversity in... Whole state.
• It's had great outcomes in other states.
• Governments, is hosting a Medicaid summit for state legislators.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.