Transcript Highlights:

• for through contracts where we're waiting for the companies to meet their requirements to receive payments
• And the third was the LCF payment for the veterinary teaching hospital in phase one.
• So the LCF payment that was in legislation was phase two, is not in legislation? Yes, yes.
• And so it was not—the LCF payment that we have to make appropriation and payback was not appropriated
• Thank you. us. thank you one more follow up thank you so the LcF payment that was in legislation was

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• of statutes governing<00:03:42.239> Nursing<00:03:42.680> Facility<00:03:43.200> payment
• governing Nursing Facility payment governing Nursing Facility payment rates<00:03:45.879> if<
• Section 37 from House File 973 from Representative Backer specifies that co-payments, co-insurance, and
• :14:57.160> specifies<00:14:57.680> that<00:14:57.839> co-<00:14:58.079> payments
• <00:14:58.600> Co backer specifies that co- payments Co backer specifies that co- payments

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember, the facility fee is the whole payment for the hospital services.
• It's not the payment for the physician professional services.
• My dad, who was a dentist, we received a lot of those for our payment through the years.
• And, you know, when I run a brick and mortar, I run two of them, you know, the payment I get is quite
• That's included in the facility payment. Maury? That's my understanding. well senator.

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• That goes directly into the PG&E system, a payment in the billions.
• for late payments.
• Consistent on-time payments completely change the landscape of the nonprofit space.
• for late payments.
• Late payments also force nonprofits to delay payments to vendors such as landlords and program suppliers

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• People making under $15,000 a year would get an average payment from this plan of 74 pennies.
• If you made a payment, you're the one that's qualified. ...of Wisconsin.
• If you made a payment, you're the one that's qualified for a rebate.
• We get to send direct aid payments to the taxpayers...
• We get to send direct aid payments to the taxpayers to help them with these inflationary times.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , impose require background studies, impose sanctions,<00:05:47.759> stop<00:05:48.080> payment
• /c><00:05:48.720> when<00:05:48.960> there's<00:05:49.199> a Sanctions, stop payment
• It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.
• It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.
• It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• defined what pre-sequestration of timber is, and in 791 we've put in some language in 795 about payments
• defined what pre-sequestration of timber is, and in 791 we've put in some language in 795 about payments
• And the last thing the bill does is it repeals the sections on the commission and the payment in lieu
• bill does or the amendment. sections on the commission and the sections on the commission and the payment
• in le of taxes program when payment in le of taxes program when um<00:09:22.800> on<00:09:23.200

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 42, 43, and 44 are high dollar amounts from the executive: $50 million for a housing down payment
• It's to the Teacher Loan Payment Fund.
• We got federal approval to do the first round of payments late last year.
• Payments late last year, so as long as things go alright, the first set of those payments will go up
• Payments can be made on an ongoing basis, which is necessary for running a state.

Transcript Highlights:

• bringing the state in line with seven neighboring southern states that have already modernized their payment
• 20.319> already<00:02:20.800> modernized<00:02:21.440> their<00:02:21.760> payment
• have already modernized their payment have already modernized their payment structures. structures

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate Medicaid Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2674, which would increase Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement for outpatient vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) procedures used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. Dave Weinberger of LivaNova said current Medicaid rates are far below Medicare and most neighboring southern states, creating financial pressure on hospitals and causing some to stop offering the procedure. He argued the therapy provides durable clinical benefits and long-term savings for Medicaid, and said the bill would align Mississippi’s rates with Medicare’s 2026 outpatient rates and with other states. Weinberger said the bill would set reimbursement at $45,000 for CPT 64568 and $35,000 for CPT 61885, and framed the measure as improving access, hospital stability, and fairness for vulnerable patients. Committee members did not ask questions during this hearing, though the chair noted the bill had been double referred and would go to appropriations, with a more detailed hearing scheduled for the next day. After discussion, a motion was made that the title was sufficient and the bill do pass. The committee approved the motion, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput, relating to agreements and a payment
• gas throughput, relating to a municipal impact grant program and fund, relating to agreements and a payment
• relating to an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput, relating to agreements and a payment
• throughput; relating to a municipal impact grant fund program and fund; relating to agreements and a payment
• throughput relating to a municipal impact grant fund program and fund relating to agreements and a payment

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal and the prayer for the record. The clerk read gubernatorial messages calling the legislature into a third special session and describing the call around House Bill 381, a major natural gas project bill addressing property taxes, municipal taxes, AGDC, reporting requirements, contract approval, an alternative volumetric tax, municipal impact grants, and related provisions. Messages from the Senate reported passage of a Senate-amended version of HB 381 and transmission of Senate Concurrent Resolution 203 to suspend certain rules related to the bill. The House introduced HCR 301 and HCR 302. HCR 301, which suspends rules on carryover of bills into a special session, passed 40-0. The House then took up the Senate amendments to HB 381. The Majority Leader outlined the Senate changes, including new school funding provisions, reorganization and oversight of AGDC funds, a public project dashboard, stricter bond approval requirements, a heating fuel assistance fund, changes to the alternative volumetric tax structure and distribution of revenues, a permanent rather than sunsetted tax break, new deadlines tied to final investment decision and construction, and a new graduated income tax on certain pass-through entities. He urged members to vote no on concurrence, and the House rejected concurrence 12-28. Because the House did not concur, the Speaker appointed a conference committee on HB 381 consisting of Representative Schrage, the Majority Leader, Representative Edgmon, and Representative Ruffridge. HCR 302, authorizing the House and Senate to recess for more than three days, passed 40-0 after members stated the recess was intended to allow conference negotiations to continue and that the body would return on a time certain. The House also received two governor-request bills, HB 3001 and HB 3002, both referred to the Finance Committee. The House then excused several members for specified absences and adjourned until July 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are also major security concerns with digital payments that don't exist with cash payments.
• Companies cannot misuse your data after a cash payment.
• > to<02:24:00.720> everybody, payments not accessible to everybody, payments not accessible
• <02:24:09.680> The<02:24:09.920> Payment The Payment Choice Act is rooted in fundamental
• That's not just ironic; it is a glaring contradiction in our payment systems.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If funds do get out, it's normally just a first. payment that gets out.
• My constituent didn't get their first payment.
• TWC. has planned to roll out this new platform for delivering payments.
• So, you know, the delay in payment isn't just... that we're missing payments, you know, this past couple
• We've only received two payments out of the allotted 4.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what is um what is it<00:20:07.159> monthly<00:20:07.679> monthly<00:20:08.080> payment
• monthly payment um whether it's<00:20:09.840> $40<00:20:10.840> uh<00:20:10.960> per
• to continue on to death for the payment to continue on to if<00:28:56.440> you<00:28:56.640><
• The nine point something percent that comes out of that final payment doesn't pay the full bill, so the
• The nine point something percent that comes out of that final payment doesn't pay the full bill, so the

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 00:49 Approval of Minutes: 01:55 CERS Retiree Health Subsidy Proposal: 02:14 SB 58: 24:05 TRS Sick/Annual Leave Proposal: 32:53 Adjournment: 48:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior month’s minutes after a roll call established a quorum. It then heard testimony on a draft proposal from Senator Robbie Mills to increase CERS retiree health subsidies for members retiring on or after July 1, 2003. The bill would raise the non-hazardous subsidy from $14.63 to $40 per month per year of service and the hazardous-duty subsidy from $21.94 to $50, with employee contribution rates adjusted based on the health trust’s funded status. Supporters from sheriffs, firefighters, police chiefs, and the Kentucky League of Cities said the change would improve recruitment and retention, better align the subsidy with the cost of a single health plan, and preserve the system’s financial footing through shared employer-employee costs and funding triggers. Committee members asked about the fiscal impact, the effect of funding levels above 150%, and how the subsidy would work for rehired retirees or employees who later take private-sector jobs. Mills and other witnesses said preliminary actuarial work was still forthcoming, that the bill was intended to be revenue-neutral or close to it, and that the subsidy would continue to be paid monthly; they also noted existing 2008 rules for rehired retirees and said the benefit would still be available even if a retiree later had other insurance. One member suggested looking at stable accounts as an additional option for special-needs planning in a later bill. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58 from Senator Robin Webb, which would allow state employees to designate a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary for retirement benefits. Webb said the measure would help employees provide for disabled dependents without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and that the bill follows federal special-needs trust rules. He said the proposal could be revenue neutral, but actuarial analysis was still pending and KPPA had asked for electronic rather than paper transfer provisions. Members questioned whether the authority already exists, how the trust would work, and whether stable accounts should also be considered; Webb said he would follow up with additional information.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we should be able to coordinate better from the system office on identifying where those pools
• So look for a $75 million deferred maintenance pool that would be administered by the State Board of

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• Management and Budget allocated, uh, took their first round of applications in January for the housing pool
• Management and Budget allocated, uh, took their first round of applications in January for the housing pool

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• without insurance, we should be supporting Representative Holland's bill for a low-cost insurance pool
• for a Representative Holland's bill for a lowcost<00:59:56.400> insurance<00:59:56.880> pool

Bills: HF3131, HF3436, HF3106, HF3241, HF3531

Keywords: cancer, disability, parking certificates, transportation, state law, school bus, schoolchildren, student safety, traffic safety, stop arm, flashing red lights, amber lights, passing a school bus, 20 feet, vehicle stopping distance, driver duties, school transportation, Minnesota traffic law, school bus law, bus stop signal

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that is critical to the administration of justice is that we get a robust jury pool
• One of the things that is critical to the administration of justice is that we get a robust jury pool

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the potential to expand the program to include a catastrophic reinsurance fund and self-insured pool
• and the potential to expand the program to include a catastrophic reinsurance fund and self-insured pool

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized. Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings. The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies. The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• challenges that counties face, particularly in our rural areas where there is a limited or no attorney pool
• challenges that counties face, particularly in our rural areas where there is a limited or no attorney pool

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes. Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so what are those lease payments that, how much have we paid in lease since April of 2025?
• The bulk of the rest of the transfers are our weekly transfers for the nursing home payments.
• It also depends on some quarterly payments that will be made and some end-of-the-year payments.
• And he's going to come correct me where I said something wrong. and some end-of-the-year payments.
• So those payments, in addition to regular expenses, can cause it to be a very expensive quarter.

Keywords: 1204, all