Transcript Highlights:

• So are you saying that they can't pull you over for a safety inspection?
• Representative Mickelson, they can do those safety inspections at the boat launch.
• A lot of sheriffs actually get paid to do those boat safety inspections.
• So I don't believe we should give our rights up under the guise of safety.
• I don't believe we should give our rights up under the guise of safety.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we can agree on is that school safety is important. Absolutely.
• This bill, as written, will give Safety. For a couple of reasons.
• To really improve school safety, you need to involve the teachers.
• It is going to help school safety.
• Chapter 259, relating to amusement ride and trampoline court safety.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what that does is that provides a measure of touch safety.
• UL 3700 is the first North American system-level safety standard.
• And so the department really just has safety concerns for the workers.
• I know safety is a big issue with this. Is that the technology we need?
• Is safety still the issue? I'm not sure who Rep.

Bills: HB2272, HB2285, HB2296

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes, carbon capture, clean energy, environmental regulation, sustainability, green technology, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is critical to safety and operations.
• Safety and Efficiency for New Mexico.
• Safety is our priority, and we take a comprehensive approach.
• We also have worker safety features.
• operational safety as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned the social safety net being eroded.
• Could you explain to me what you think the cause of the social safety net being eroded is?"
• Tasers and nonlethal defensive choices promote officer safety and safety for the general public.
• providing public safety to every citizen we serve.
• Any program like Safety Summer is engaged with the police.

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• We moved to public safety.
• And in the, uh, program area of safety.
• Both commissioners are sitting Safety.
• :50:36.960><c> of</c> jeopardizing safety across all of jeopardizing safety across all of corrections
• It meant we Department of Public Safety.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not supervising, but it's the illusion of safety.
• Well, yeah, but there was no safety. It was the illusion of safety.
• </c> safety. It was the illusion of safety. safety. It was the illusion of safety.
• and</c><01:16:08.239><c> the</c><01:16:08.640><c> space</c> safety, provide the safety and the space
• safety, provide the safety and the space because<01:16:09.600><c> obviously</c><01:16:10.239><c> space

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates. Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I want to speak to what HR1 means for Los Angeles County's safety net. L.A.
• And safety-net hospital systems like ours will be forced to absorb those costs.
• net, serve as a local safety net in many rural and underserved communities.
• We're here because the safety net is already under serious stress.
• We're here because the safety net is already under serious stress.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We reflect on those seeking safety, and we recognize those seeking belonging and understanding.
• the following bills for their July 1 hearing: SB 884, Umburg, pending re-referral from the Public Safety
• Committee; and SB 1418, Cervantes, pending re-referral from the Public Safety Committee.
• So let us be especially clear: We in California will not stand by while the safety, dignity, and rights
• LGBTQ+ people flee their home countries seeking safety in California.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several Senate bills, notices for committee hearings, and a successful motion to suspend rules so ACA 20 could be taken up later in the week. The chamber also recognized former Assembly Member Christina Garcia and later moved into a Pride Month observance. The main ceremonial item was House Resolution 115 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward opened on the resolution, and multiple members from different caucuses spoke in support, highlighting Pride history, LGBTQ+ rights, and the contributions of LGBTQ Californians. Assembly Member DeMaio offered supportive remarks while noting policy differences, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 53 co-authors were added. The Assembly then held a Pride honoree ceremony recognizing 15 individuals and groups for contributions to the LGBTQ community. On the floor file, members also adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding co-authors: ACR 187 on Men’s Mental Health Month, ACR 157 marking the 50th anniversary of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, ACR 222 declaring Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month, and ACR 224 recognizing Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day. Each drew personal testimony from members about the underlying issues, including suicide prevention, caregiving and dementia, mining reclamation, and harms to youth from social media. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 46 on mental health diversion by a 51-1 vote, and later adopted the consent calendar 66-0. The House adjourned until June 25, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now the purpose of this is parental rights and student safety.
• So it's parental rights and student safety.
• Then the school would be endangering the psychological welfare and safety of a child.
• And, of course, for the pronoun, parental rights, student safety. I stand for questions.
• It restricts dignity and safety and sends a message that some students don't belong.

Summary: The Committee on Education first heard a presentation from Dr. Victoria Dyson Homer on the Arizona Teacher Residency Program. She argued that Arizona faces a teacher retention and certification crisis, with high attrition and many uncertified or underprepared teachers, and said research shows practice-based residencies improve retention, teacher confidence, and student outcomes. She described the Arizona Teacher Residency as a year-long, cohort-based, district-partnered program with mentoring, coursework, and induction support, and said its early data show very high retention and positive student and teacher feedback. Committee members asked about how the program differs from traditional student teaching, salary schedules, and whether residency graduates outperform traditional preparation pathways; the presentation was generally well received. The committee then took up SCR 1006, a ballot referral dealing with school restroom and locker room accommodations and pronoun/name use for students. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights and student safety measure, while opponents from education, legal, and advocacy backgrounds argued it was discriminatory, unnecessary, and harmful to transgender and non-binary students. After public testimony and member debate, the committee approved SCR 1006 on a 7-5 vote. Members then considered SB 1126, which would require schools to provide certain student records and information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers and prohibit schools from blocking staff from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. DCS testified neutral, saying the bill would help clarify information sharing and support child safety; the committee passed the bill 10-0 with two members present. Finally, the committee heard SB 1210, which would require certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions offering fully online programs to Arizona residents to register with the state board unless they participate in a reciprocity agreement, and to comply with student tuition recovery fund requirements if they collect prepaid tuition. Supporters said the bill closes a regulatory loophole and protects students and the state’s oversight of online providers. The committee approved SB 1210 on an 11-1 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• state codes, for example, when necessary to address an imminent and present threat to the health, safety
• building occupants, when... ...necessary to address an imminent and present threat to the health, safety
• Revenue from the excise tax may be used for various purposes, including funding public safety-related
• Additionally, public safety...
• This isn't just about building safety codes.

Summary: The committee opened public hearings on House Bill 2141, concerning building codes, and House Bill 2573, concerning community access to food, medicine, and health services, then later took executive action on several bills. HB 2141 would impose a 10-year pause on new state building and energy code updates after the 2024 codes, limit local amendments until the 2036 codes, then move to a six-year update cycle and remove the current energy-code 70% reduction target. Supporters, including the sponsor, builders, local government groups, and some code officials, argued the bill would reduce regulatory churn, lower housing costs, and give builders and local governments more certainty. Opponents, including environmental groups, architects, fire marshals, and code organizations, said the freeze would raise long-term energy costs, undermine safety and climate goals, and delay adoption of new technologies. No action was taken on HB 2141 during the hearing. HB 2573 would require advance notice before grocery stores or pharmacies close in communities that relied on them for planning under the Growth Management Act, add a health and food access goal and a healthy communities element to the GMA, and authorize cities and counties to use zoning, excise taxes, and nuisance fees to discourage long-term vacancies and preserve access to food and medicine. The sponsor and supporters said the bill responds to recent store closures that created food and pharmacy deserts, especially in overburdened communities, and would give local governments tools to prevent blight and protect access to essential services. Opponents from grocery and retail industry groups argued the bill would punish businesses and property owners, create a chilling effect on investment, and unfairly burden independent landlords. The committee heard testimony on HB 2573 but did not take final action in the portion provided. During executive action, the committee reported several bills out with do-pass recommendations. HB 2517, on permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects, passed 4-3 after one proposed amendment was rejected and another was adopted to require property-owner consent before certain permits on property not owned by the transit authority. HB 2588, expanding county ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 4-3. HB 1529, allowing cities to use county resources for road construction and maintenance, passed 6-1. HB 2223, creating a limited exemption for irrigation district directors’ spouses’ contracts, passed unanimously. HB 2006, extending the deadline for certain rural counties to designate industrial land banks, passed unanimously after adoption of an amendment narrowing eligibility and adjusting timing requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This number represents a significant step towards strengthening the privacy and safety of crime victims
• It's important to protect the safety of the member of law enforcement that was involved.
• We provide an equitable safety net for them to fall into and we provide protection.
• And this bill specifically tackles rideshare impersonation, which is a serious safety issue.
• We street and passenger safety protect for these offenders.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:02:32.560><c> the</c> finance, health, and safety, the finance, health, and safety, the environment
• </c> support, the committee on public safety support, the committee on public safety and<00:16:28.160
• Colleagues, Major Lambert will be a valuable addition to our state's public safety program.
• </c><00:18:09.120><c> I</c><00:18:09.360><c> wholeheartedly</c> public safety program.
• I wholeheartedly public safety program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, took roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and spent much of the first portion of the meeting recognizing Education Week honorees. Senators introduced students and coaches from the LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition, including first-place Iolani School, second-place Kahalani High School, and Oahu teams placing third and fourth. The Senate also recognized 2025 Senate Youth Delegate Wilson Chow and thanked staff and community partners for supporting Education Week 2025. The chamber then moved to executive business, adopting standing committee reports 1210 through 1349 and confirming Governor’s Message No. 644, Steven Logan, as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense by unanimous consent. Senators spoke in support of Logan’s military and public safety experience, and he was confirmed with 23 ayes. The Senate also confirmed Governor’s Message No. 645, Mike Lambert, as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, with senators citing his HPD background, work on homelessness, vice, agricultural crimes, and school enforcement; the confirmation passed with 22 ayes. After the confirmations, the Senate recognized the newly appointed officials and their families and guests. The body then passed House Bill 991, Senate Draft 1, relating to criminal history record checks, on third reading by unanimous consent with 22 ayes. The session concluded with announcements, including a YWCA clothing drive, a personal letter from Representative Gene Ward announcing his resignation from the House effective at the end of the month due to health issues, and a motion to adjourn until Monday, March 24th at 11:30 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Safety standards when it comes to installation of some of these technologies.
• So it would be good to take a lot of safety standards.
• At FDOT, safety is our top priority. It's our top priority at SunRail, too.
• extensive measures to ensure the safety of our residents and riders.
• first responders, and deliver safety presentations to local schools and businesses.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met, took roll, and heard introductory remarks from members about their districts and transportation priorities, with several senators noting congestion and mobility challenges in their regions. The committee then received a presentation from the Florida Transportation Commission on its oversight role for FDOT, including annual and quarterly performance reviews, review of the five-year work program, and monitoring of tolling and transit authorities. Members asked whether the commission gets involved in project prioritization; the answer was no, because it is statutorily limited to high-level oversight rather than day-to-day project decisions. The committee next heard two reports related to transportation disadvantaged and paratransit services. FDOT’s Melissa Smith described the statewide Transportation Disadvantaged program, its governance structure, service models, and challenges such as fragmented administration, cost, inconsistent reporting, and rural service limitations. She outlined recommendations including better use of technology, regional partnerships, improved training, and alternative delivery models like microtransit and TNC partnerships. A University of South Florida researcher, Martin Katala, discussed best practices for paratransit and demand-response service, emphasizing route optimization software, dynamic dispatching, service standards, vendor accountability, and the use of TNCs and mobility management to improve efficiency and reduce travel times. A later presentation from UF’s I-Street program focused on emerging technologies for transit, including in-cabin monitoring, automatic restraints, accessible booking and tracking tools, and the need for statewide safety standards and better driver interfaces. Finally, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and District 5 Secretary John Tyler provided an update on the transition of SunRail local entities. They explained the differences among commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail, and said SunRail’s financial transition to local partners was completed on January 1, with operational transition to follow over up to three years. They contrasted that with Tri-Rail, where FDOT still funds operations and discussions about a future transition are ongoing. Members asked about the differences between SunRail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and Brightline, and the presenters explained that commuter rail serves regional daily commuters while intercity rail connects regions. The committee concluded without taking any formal votes or other legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:57:48.360><c> and</c> file 12 is about fairness safety and file 12 is about fairness safety and
• They understand that fairness and competition is not... safety and preserving girls Sports in safety
• safety they deserve members I urge you safety they deserve members I urge you to<02:08:09.800><c> support
• </c> teammates and coaches what safety teammates and coaches what safety problem<02:10:21.119><c> would
• </c> if we want to talk about kids safety if we want to talk about kids safety letting<02:10:41.679><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• By requiring consistent data collection, clear criteria, and evidence-based safety measures, this bill
• By requiring consistent data collection, clear criteria, and evidence-based safety measures, this bill
• </c> criteria, and evidence-based safety criteria, and evidence-based safety measures,<00:03:49.200><
• </c><00:06:49.440><c> as</c><00:06:49.680><c> a</c> agencies to treat bridge safety as a agencies to
• treat bridge safety as a public<00:06:50.080><c> health</c><00:06:50.400><c> issue,</c><00:06:51.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be covering just two parts: Part 7, dealing with traffic safety camera enforcement and revenue
• I will be covering just two parts, part seven, dealing with traffic, safety, camera enforcement, and
• For registered owners to contest traffic safety camera violations.
• Now, for Section 702, dealing with traffic safety camera local traffic safety camera revenue going to
• the Cooper Jones Act of Transportation Safety Account.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as their Senior Director of Engineering and Safety Operations.
• This is a targeted, data-driven safety strategy, not a blanket approach.
• I mean, afford it on a safety perspective, not necessarily financially.
• I mean, afford it on a safety perspective, not necessarily financially.
• And again, understand from your slide deck the importance of safety.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can only do that when you have documented an issue as it relates to safety or evacuation.
• Nuclear safety regulation has been absolutely gutted by the Trump administration.
• And the third thing is safety from outside forces—terrorism, sabotage, whatever it might be.
• it safer than the existing technology, but also safety of the spent fuel and then also safety related
• Such broad removals would come at a high environmental and public safety cost.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• ways possible to provide safety in our schools.
• program this Page 61 was the water safety program.
• Page 292 is our core for our vehicle and driver safety.
• It's a new decision item for fire safety.
• Page 366 is, again, fire safety like Capitol Police.

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.