Transcript Highlights:

• Ensure that VA's infrastructure can support its mission and so much more.
• VA should receive funding to research and develop... deliver those treatments today.
• Our ask, though, is in developing this scheduling tool to the best extent possible to buy it instead
• of try to develop their own.
• VA's IT development is not good. I hear you and I thank you. Mr.

Keywords: veteran services, Secretary Collins, healthcare provisions, contract cancellations, transparency, accountability, committee meeting, legislation

Summary: During this committee meeting, various bills were discussed with a specific focus on veteran services and healthcare provisions. Notably, the cancellation of critical contracts under Secretary Collins sparked significant debate, with representatives emphasizing the adverse impact on veteran care. The meeting featured testimonies from veterans and stakeholders who expressed their concerns regarding the potential fallout of these cancellations, demonstrating the urgency of transparency and accountability in management decisions. Discussions also delved into various legislative proposals aimed at improving services for veterans amidst these challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item A is a 34.3 million decrease in federal funds related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
• These appropriations support the regulation of oil and natural gas development.
• 5155 revenue collections are less than 90% of overall appropriations. 27 Issue number 2 is the Infrastructure
• “While we are in our final stages of our IT infrastructure project, we do have several exceptional items
• of this is to replace infrastructure, like switches, servers, and wireless access points, that will

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a greenfield development.
• <00:55:14.400> and technology has been uh developed and technology has been uh developed and
• <01:30:25.159> and market conditions as they develop and market conditions as they develop
• <01:35:57.119> implementation governance development implementation governance development
• <05:10:53.600> and<05:10:53.958> developing software development and developing software

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii's building regulations have really driven up the cost of condominium development.
• development for the University Village near the rail.
• <00:23:49.880> development<00:23:50.520> for West aahu infrastructure development for
• West aahu infrastructure development for the<00:23:50.799> University<00:23:51.279> Village
• defensible spaces around homes develop defensible spaces around homes develop mapped<00:46:45.839

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also had written support from the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism from
• <01:10:52.480> these framework for developing these framework for developing these resilience
• I get that, but I just want to ask a question. with infrastructure Investments That with infrastructure
• Criminal property damage against a critical infrastructure is set at $100,000.
• <01:53:27.119> its to um how does core Civic develop its to um how does core Civic develop

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• These investments are foundational infrastructure, including electronic health records, data exchange
• We're developing the grant program designs now. Internal review processes.
• I'm happy to say that since the database's development was authorized by the Legislature, HCAI has met
• Today, we are still in the process of developing a proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
• After reviewing the data and consulting with stakeholders, the DMHC will develop and issue a list of

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• , economic development, workforce development, adult education, community energy efficiency development
• Of course, April and May, when the work plan was being developed, we stayed focused.
• I'm Rebecca Rus, Infrastructure Adviser with the Governor's Office.
• On behalf of Mesa del Sol Development Group, we strongly support this legislation.
• It's another tool in the toolbox to help supplement critical infrastructure for economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• delegation to Taiwan in November 2024, along with officials of the Colorado Office of Economic Development
• professionals of economic development professionals and<00:31:25.720> industry<00:31:26.080><
• <00:31:42.320> of closer cooperation in the development of closer cooperation in the development
• House Bill 1101 is a great step forward in protecting critical infrastructure from thievery and, you
• He said House Bill 1101 is a great step forward in protecting critical infrastructure from thievery and

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is why the Declaration of Independence was such a bold, earth-shattering development in human
• Some feel that it does, especially the developers that will have to pay for compensation.
• And now we're going beyond public works projects into private development projects. Why?
• We introduced a CEQA reform bill on water, water storage, and water infrastructure in this state.
• We passed CEQA reform on water infrastructure a couple of years ago.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long floor session focused heavily on budget trailer bills, labor agreements, housing, environmental review, and several resolutions. Members also introduced visiting guests, including family members, district staff, Mandela Washington Fellows, and UC Berkeley public policy students. Procedural motions were taken up early, including a successful roll-call vote to suspend rules so certain budget-related bills could be heard without reference to file. The chamber approved several major budget measures. SB 129, the labor trailer bill, passed 56-4 after supporters said it made technical budget adjustments, funded collective bargaining, supported In-Home Supportive Services, and addressed pension and project-related issues. SB 131, the public resources and housing trailer bill, passed 50-3 after extensive debate over homelessness funding, CEQA exemptions, advanced manufacturing, high-speed rail, rural access to funds, tribal consultation, and environmental protections; multiple members voiced support while also urging follow-up changes. The Assembly also adopted SB 139, implementing agreements for professional and operating engineers, by 69-1, and SB 140, implementing the correctional officers’ agreement, by 71-0. Later, AB 130, the housing trailer bill, was taken up on concurrence in Senate amendments after a successful rule suspension; members discussed tribal consultation protections, CEQA reform, prevailing wage, and vehicle miles traveled provisions, with debate continuing as the transcript ended. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 927, extending the Williams inspection window for certain school districts, which passed 70-0. In addition, ACR 16 naming the 10th Street Bridge the POW/MIA Bridge passed 70-0. AJR 9, urging full and consistent federal funding for the National Park Service, drew broad bipartisan support and passed 66-0 after members highlighted California parks’ economic and cultural importance. HR 47, recognizing the Fourth of July and the Declaration of Independence, prompted extended remarks on democracy, civics, immigration, military service, and community celebrations before being adopted by voice vote with 64 co-authors added. The consent calendar was also adopted 64-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a developer that owns that.
• At Commerce, our job is to make sure, however the energy system develops, it is developing in a way that
• It has been supplemented by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
• <01:08:07.559> and lot of Technology developments and lot of Technology developments and things
• <01:16:15.960> projects large energy infrastructure projects large energy infrastructure projects

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:14.160> program, workforce housing development program, workforce housing development
• <01:04:25.920> grants, home park infrastructure grants, home park infrastructure grants, workforce
• It assists local communities with populations of fewer than 15,000 with infrastructure project development
• <01:51:56.159> And infrastructure project development.
• And infrastructure project development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the takeaways from my presentation today, our that the project was not developed in a silo.
• of infrastructure projects.
• of infrastructure projects.
• public infrastructure projects.
• public infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the regulations around critical infrastructure.
• We've seen that on critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, in the past.
• Is planning for physical protection of critical infrastructure, yes.
• Can you talk about what type of critical infrastructure we're concerned with?
• Let me ask you about this infrastructure liaison officer program.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• To include purchasing from a development of that. It's not going to stop.
• back, help them with infrastructure, and allow them to budget for 10 years.
• Critical infrastructure, water, sewer, roads, police, debt service—those type things, I think, need to
• "Economic development and the opportunities that we have in the state are immediate.
• The tool is a great tool that can be employed to stimulate and..." "...grow economic development.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, how many of you here had any of your bills that were assigned to Transportation and Infrastructure
• I know we had Democratic bills put on Transportation and Infrastructure. Becca, do you happen?
• and stakeholders and they are not been being given a committee hearing on Transportation and Infrastructure
• of the state and to promote prosperity through the development and protection of the legitimate interests
• of the state and to promote the prosperity through the development and protection of the legitimate

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that further strengthens the health care infrastructure.
• Specifically, the department requires schools to develop operational plans to help ensure that schools
• In contrast, as part of our review, we found that an elementary school that did develop and implement
• Are you asking if they are part of developing the training? Yes. Yes, they are.
• Emergency and Military Affairs, we are responsible for developing those standards.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it also will spur a lot of economic development and housing development too. ongoing grinding treatment
• <00:29:27.039> and a lot of economic development and a lot of economic development and housing
• and water infrastructure.
• > like<00:32:44.080> this development, this seems like this development, this seems like
• > is development and water infrastructure is development and water infrastructure is an<00:33:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill was introduced by the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure.
• The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee voted the bill out 8-0-1.
• Committee voted the bill Infrastructure Committee voted the bill out<00:29:29.679> 801.
• > for the PUC, the vice president of for the PUC, the vice president of market<00:29:36.399> development
• <00:29:36.880> for<00:29:37.200> consolidated market development for consolidated market

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks from Representative Mark Higley, who read poems about maple sugaring and Groundhog Day and offered a Valentine’s Day reminder to give maple sugar candy. The chamber then recognized the first class of legislative pages for their service during the 2026 session, presented them with pins, and took photos. Several guests and groups were welcomed, including representatives from Vermont’s natural resources conservation districts, members of the St. Albinstown Fire Department for its 50th anniversary, and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, which highlighted housing, land conservation, and historic preservation work supported by the Housing and Conservation Board. The House also recognized former legislators in the gallery and several members’ birthdays. On the legislative calendar, H.900, relating to exempting Social Security benefits from Vermont income tax, was introduced and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. HCR 164, congratulating the St. Albinstown Fire Department on 50 years of service, was read and adopted. The House also voted to relieve the Committee on Education of H.750, relating to school districts pursuing construction projects during the moratorium on state aid, and commit it to Ways and Means. Later, H.527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. § 248A, passed third reading, and J.R.S. 37, supporting gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition and urging gender-equal new Olympic sports, was adopted in concurrence. The House then took up H.898, concerning copper-to-fiber telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections. The committee explained that the bill requires advance written notice to customers and state agencies, reporting on backup power and E911 issues, public safety coordination, consumer education, and ongoing monitoring by the Department of Public Service. The committee reported an 8-0-1 vote, and after a question about whether the bill would affect provider-of-last-resort obligations, the House ordered the bill to third reading. The session ended with announcements about an upcoming report on Women, Work, and Wages and a motion to adjourn until the next meeting day, which was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since you brought up aging facilities, what is CDCR doing to address infrastructure issues with some
• at those locations to see what's the appropriate mix of infrastructure.
• at those locations to see kind of what's the appropriate mix of infrastructure.
• But what we haven't done is provide the infrastructure to support all of those things.
• I do get excited about our infrastructure. I agree.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
• It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
• , ...to administer a grant program for child care centers and family child care homes for infrastructure
• So as the Department of Health Care Access and Information develops the program design and evaluates,
• These are things that are so important, as well as the social entrepreneurs for economic development

Keywords: 987, senate, all