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• William Thrift, Legislative District 1. Representative Bliss [member_1633].
• They are studying Arizona history and are here to observe the legislative process today.
• process.
• process.
• All of us have the exact same process, and as long as the process is good, the policy will come out good

Keywords: 1182, all

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• And we continue to want to work with you on this legislation.
• Prior to that legislation, we didn't have a licensing program.
• I would view this bill as being clean-up legislation to that.
• That process is underway.
• That process is underway.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, by Senator Jones, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed, and by allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations from other regulators or approved third parties. Supporters from the debt collection industry said the bill would reduce duplicative costs and fix issues with the advisory committee process; an opposition witness from the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition said concerns remained. After discussion about preserving consumer protections while reducing burdens on licensees, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1131 and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water companies by removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information such as consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including environmental justice advocates and Los Angeles County, described problems with access to water quality information, meeting notices, and board accountability in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposed unfunded mandates and one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems. Members discussed the need for transparency while acknowledging concerns about compliance burdens; the committee then voted 7-0 to pass SB 1291 and re-refer it to Environmental Quality.

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• In Texas, this legislation aims to make the eviction process timely, fair, and predictable, balanced.
• We already have a special process that shortens the process.
• The process was a rubber stamp process before COVID.
• They're trying to change the legislation to allow private process servers to start serving evictions
• or process.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

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• This legislation is a smart, market-enabling process that allows affordability in New Mexico and makes
• Just as important, SB 131 streamlines the approval and appeal process.
• And the appeal process needs to be through the elected official.
• And I believe there is legislation to go ahead and do that.
• We stand in strong support of this legislation.

Bills: SB211, SB131, SB183, SB222, SB246, SB254

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

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• It would have exacerbated the process.
• So then that will delay the process even more.
• And we have an agency process if they cannot afford it.
• And we have an agency process if they cannot afford it.
• House Bill 2229 streamlines the expunction process.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

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• intake derived from ultra-processed foods.
• Seventy percent of a child's diet in Texas is ultra-processed.
• It's time we legislate like it.
• Processed meats contain things like butylated hydroxyanisole, a preservative that keeps processed meats
• subsidize ultra-processed food.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

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• Regardless of party democratic process.
• We also Minnesota's democratic process.
• Members, democracy and our process.
• We have an election in 2026. 201 legislators will be up for election.
• in 2026. 201 legislators will be up for um<00:26:09.679> election.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• here today uh I the cedar legislative here today uh I the cedar legislative director<00:02:45.440
• <00:03:09.480> uh in the federal budget process uh in the federal budget process uh followed
• <00:04:59.800> budget uh for the reconciliation process budget uh for the reconciliation process
• process, and, you know, there's $4.6 trillion in tax cuts.
• uh that was associated with legislation uh that was associated with legislation after<01:42:23.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we streamline the process?
• supported through this process to be able to be licensed.
• Anybody in the audience in support of this legislation?
• Anybody in the audience in support of this legislation?
• About the amendment process.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

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• So with that, we're in the process of integrating the Louisiana Geological Survey.
• Like, will we use legislative space?
• Like, will we use legislator?
• I, to talk about how we create a process to achieve what you're talking about.
• It's just as President's legislative support for his U.S. Senate migratory flyway with ducks.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, environmental, and infrastructure measures. HCR 79 by Chairman Butler, which memorializes Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow dog hunting in Kisatchie National Forest, drew testimony in support from hunters and a former NRCS official describing it as a rural Louisiana tradition, and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which said it supported hunting with dogs generally but opposed the deer/hog hunting portions while favoring the recovery-of-wounded-deer component. The committee reported HCR 79 favorable. It also reported favorable on SB 419, allowing pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer during primitive firearms season, and on SCR 29, creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality and sediment impacts, and SB 111, setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would monitor the effects through sampling and creel data. Several resolutions and bills focused on environmental management and state property. SB 174 authorized transfer of certain state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board and was reported favorable. SB 189, a preemptive ban on intentional release or dispersion of fuels or chemicals to affect temperatures, was also reported favorable after discussion of geoengineering-related additives. SB 99, which updates DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices for permits and public notifications, was supported by DEQ and reported favorable. HCR 104, from Rep. Coates, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and recommend improvements to subsurface data collection and access; testimony described efforts to modernize core and well-log records and build a statewide 3D subsurface model, and the resolution was reported favorable. The committee also considered river, boating, and wildlife-related measures. SB 331 would temporarily remove portions of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River, including dredging and channel realignment, while prohibiting commercial development and reservoir construction; environmental groups opposed it as a bad precedent and urged a shorter sunset, but the bill was reported favorable. HCR 54 urged a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior and was reported favorable after support from the Flyway Federation and Louisiana Wildlife Federation. HCR 94 would require annual Wildlife and Fisheries reports on boating safety data, and HCR 87 expressed support for a U.S. senator’s correspondence on migratory flyways; both were reported favorable. SB 505, dealing with the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund, was reported favorable after testimony that it would expand grant capacity, create a two-cycle application process, and address LLC-related issues. The committee also advanced several measures on public policy and cleanup issues. HCR 85 created a task force on illegal dumping; after amendments added Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Louisiana Police Jury Association, members discussed statewide tire dumping problems, DEQ staffing, and cleanup funding, and the resolution was reported favorable as amended. HR 216, as substituted, was changed from a repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan to a resolution authorizing the committee to hold a hearing and receive input from agencies and stakeholders on the plan; after reconsideration and adoption of the substitute amendment, it was reported favorable. One item, SB 243, was voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• > vehicles The legislation also requires vehicles The legislation also requires vehicles to<00
• MDOT and the council undertook a process to prepare for future legislative discussions on this topic.
• The permitting process should also include specifying a detailed enforcement plan and process that empowers
• And so it's a process. Um, and we're very happy that we're part of this process.
• And so it's a process. Um, and we're very happy that we're part of this process.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 5313, a bipartisan bill to create a statewide framework for autonomous vehicles in Minnesota. The author said the bill is intended to improve safety, provide regulatory clarity, avoid a patchwork of local rules, and support economic development and mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. The bill was described as a work in progress, and the committee adopted three author amendments: A12, a technical correction; A15, which states MDOT and Public Safety can absorb the bill’s incidental costs within existing resources; and A14, which added clarifying airport-related language requested by the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport/MAC. The Minnesota Department of Transportation testified in support of continued discussion but said the bill needs more work in several areas, including an annual MDOT permitting process for AV operators, defining operational design domains, adding stronger enforcement authority, clarifying remote assistance roles, and requiring fully automated vehicles to be registered with Public Safety. MDOT said it has worked with the governor’s connected and automated vehicles council and more than 70 stakeholders on recommendations. Industry and transit witnesses strongly supported the bill, citing existing AV deployments and safety benefits. Southwest Transit’s CEO said its Eden Prairie AV service has carried 27,000 riders over 112,000 miles with no accidents, strong customer satisfaction, and increased ridership. A Whimo representative said the bill would create regulatory certainty and help expand AV deployment. Several public witnesses emphasized accessibility and safety. A disability advocate described how autonomous vehicles could improve independence for people who cannot drive, including those with epilepsy and other disabilities, and urged passage of the bill. A former 911 dispatcher and state patrol employee said AVs could reduce crashes and protect drivers, pedestrians, and officers, contrasting a dangerous human ride-share experience with a safer autonomous ride. Another disability advocate and blind Minnesotan testified that AVs could help address transportation barriers, though he also noted ongoing discrimination problems with ride-hailing services for blind riders with guide dogs. After the amendments were adopted, the bill was moved to the Commerce Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I'll start there with: would you unpack what the thought process is there and do you share any
• And I think that's our goal in general is to make sure that folks go through this process, serve time
• And I think that's our goal in general is to make sure that folks go through this process, serve time
• or the legislation specifically decided or the legislation really<00:36:18.119> utilizes<00:36
• Legislatively directed grants would be at 5%.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons. Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill. Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it just got kind of separated out unintentionally in the process.
• Legislative Analyst's Office, please. Thank you, Chair and members.
• The state is in the process of ramping up implementation of the program.
• Legislative Analyst's Office, please. Good afternoon.
• Natalie Gonzales. with the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• from the initial charter application process?
• And I think this particular legislation is standing the test of time.
• Instead, this legislation would do the opposite.
• He urged the committee to oppose this legislation. Thank you.
• Or what about all the migrants who followed the process, the legal process, to come here legally?

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I was wondering if you could just email us where that exactly is in the legislative process.
• process?
• is in the legislative process. is in the legislative process.
• I want to be clear on where that is in the legislative process. Um, and that passed the House.
• . process. process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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• I rise on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of HR 16.
• On behalf of the California Legislative Latino Caucus.
• Takes a lot to run pumps, to run processing facilities that bring that food.
• This is not how we should be legislating.
• This bill sets this precedence of allowing legislators to override water board decisions through legislation

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• What this legislation will do is draw attention to any bad actors.
• And this, this legislation was based on eyewitness accounts.
• I know from doing that work, Jennifer Berger: that the process is secure.
• to process one curbside voter.
• the legislation goes into effect.

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• Thanks for sharing that and some of the process.
• And that is what this entire process is about.
• This constitutes underground regulation, an unlawful practice that circumvents proper legislative processes
• the conversation with you through this process.
• the conversation with you through this process.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing on the California State Board of Pharmacy, with board leadership describing the board’s consumer-protection role and its priorities around access, enforcement, and updating pharmacy law. The board emphasized a proposed shift toward a standard-of-care model for pharmacists, arguing it would reduce rigid protocol requirements and improve access to services such as HIV PrEP/PEP, contraception, and naloxone. Board representatives also discussed pharmacy deserts, possible fee waivers for pharmacies in underserved areas, concerns about payer practices contributing to closures, continuing education audits, and a request to restore more flexibility in licensure decisions and probationary monitoring for applicants with certain criminal histories. A major focus of the hearing was the board’s ongoing compounding regulations, especially the treatment of sterile versus nonsterile compounding and substances such as glutathione and methylcobalamin. The board said the proposal was not a ban on those substances and described the rulemaking as grounded in federal law, USP standards, and public comment, noting the process had gone through multiple modified texts and hearings. Testimony from stakeholders was sharply divided: pharmacists, veterinarians, firefighters, naturopathic doctors, and patient advocates warned the rules were restricting access to compounded medications and harming patients and first responders, while the California Medical Association, psychiatric physicians, and PhRMA raised concerns that the board’s proposals could expand pharmacist authority beyond training, affect physician practice, or create safety risks. Other public comments addressed pharmacy technician ratios, remote processing, flavoring medications, hospital-specific regulation, budget and enforcement transparency, and whether the board should add members with community compounding or pharmacy technician expertise. Committee members also asked about the board’s oversight priorities and the rationale for its standard-of-care proposal. Board staff explained that consumer protection includes education, licensing, policy, and enforcement, with the highest-priority enforcement cases being those posing imminent public harm. After public testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and adjourned the sunset review hearing, announcing an immediate transition to the joint informational hearing on the Department of Cannabis Control.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is in line with past legislative legislation efforts made, made by drivers Education, including
• We've testified on this legislation for about the last 20-25 years. Why?
• Our consumers are very price conscious, so that's why we're opposed to this legislation.
• Does anyone have any questions for TABC regarding this legislation? Seeing none.
• So based purely on that, the 5%, currently, the, the legislation is up to 17%.

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• streamline the voter check-in process. streamline the voter check-in process.
• products and reducing processing errors. products and reducing processing errors.
• <00:13:25.279> for there'll be the processes for there'll be the processes for provisional
• So those are just some of the process.
• So becoming part of that pro process.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:14 Approval of Minutes 00:00:40 State Board of Elections 00:00:56, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met to hear an update from the State Board of Elections on its Bluegrass Books electronic poll book system. Rachel Pointer and Richard House described the project as an in-house modernization effort intended to improve security, customization, integration with the voter registration system, reduce voter wait times, streamline supplemental and provisional ballot processing, and provide year-round local support to county clerks and poll workers. They emphasized that the system is already a working product, not just a concept, and showed a workflow demonstration of voter lookup, signature capture, ballot issuance, manual lookup, and handling voters who have already voted. The agency also outlined the financial rationale for the project, saying the state currently lacks dedicated funding for replacing the iPads used for election-day poll books and that counties now bear vendor maintenance and support costs. Under Bluegrass Books, the state would seek to cover hardware replacement, maintenance, and on-site support through future appropriations, potentially using bulk purchasing to lower costs. When asked about the size of the appropriation request, the presenters said it was not yet finalized but noted roughly 7,000 devices are deployed statewide and replacement would likely be phased rather than done all at once. Members asked about security and whether the e-poll book could affect vote totals. The Board explained that the e-poll book is separate from ballot casting, that voting machines themselves are not connected to the internet, and that the poll book is networked only to update check-ins and prevent double voting. They said the device is locked down to the poll book application and can operate offline until connectivity returns. A member also asked how to recruit more poll workers; the response suggested higher pay is the main incentive, along with outreach to schools, community colleges, and possible pilot programs involving professionals. The meeting concluded without any votes or formal action beyond approval of minutes, and the next meeting was announced for January 29, weather permitting.