Transcript Highlights:

• the occupation in our state as well. the occupation in our state as well.
• every requirement of state law. every requirement of state law.
• provide as a state overall. provide as a state overall.
• as well as the state legislature. as well as the state legislature.
• protecting our children in this state. protecting our children in this state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee, this bill is very, very much needed in our state these days.
• , we can include it with the requirements that each athlete has to submit to the state.
• You don't have anything to say about it after the state.
• That's going to be the state. Okay.
• Is this a model bill that's been adopted in other states? Yes. How many states have adopted it? 22.

Summary: The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met on May 18, 2026, and took up Senate Bill 389 by Senator Connick, which would update Louisiana’s athlete-agent law to cover NIL representation for high school and college athletes. The Attorney General’s office said the bill is needed because NIL agents are currently largely unregulated, especially as NIL activity has expanded into high school sports. Assistant Attorney General Olivia Nuss explained that the bill is based on the revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act and would create a state registry, require disclosure and background checks, and help protect student-athletes and families from unqualified or predatory agents. John Curtis, head of school and football coach at John Curtis Christian School, testified in support, saying schools are seeing more agents around practices and recruiting situations, often charging high fees and making misleading promises. He argued the bill would give parents and athletes a way to verify whether an agent is registered and qualified, and said the LHSAA could help distribute information to schools and families. Members asked about how the law would be implemented, whether the LHSAA or the Department of Justice would oversee it, and how the bill would interact with existing NIL disclosure legislation; the witnesses said DOJ would administer the registry while LHSAA would mainly help disseminate information. The committee adopted a technical amendment set, then Representative Edmondson moved to report SB 389 as amended. There was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 525 at the author’s request, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• program and recreational marijuana program, like we have seen in Colorado, California, Washington State
• , and over 30 states in this nation.
• I have been talking to veterans in this state. I created a documentary called "Legalize Texas."
• As Nico mentioned, products from other states pose a significant risk, and guess what?
• So we have pickup locations now that are already spread out across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico State.
• And between Senator Campos and myself, we represent a full one-fourth of the landmass of the state.
• Good morning, I'm State Senator George Munoz.
• Senate District 22 could quite possibly be the economic center of the state right now.
• Hopefully, we can bring those back to the state. It was a phenomenal trip.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and over 30 states in this nation.
• Every product sold must be registered in a DPS database in the event that there is a recall.
• I started along this path a long time ago talking to veterans in this state.
• You've got the state of Colorado charging a 15% tax on recreational cannabis.
• So we have pickup locations now that are already spread out across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are people in areas of the state There are people in areas of the state where<00:33:48.240
• But there are parts of the state where we rely on our state troopers.
• But there are parts of the state where we rely on our state troopers.
• But there are parts of the state where we rely on our state troopers.
• As I stated before, I am...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> state your motion. >> state your motion.
• >> State<00:37:02.400> motion. >> State motion. >> State motion.
• in our state? in our state?
• piece of the state. piece of the state.
• . state. state.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but there was a series of databases that secretaries of state could...
• State.
• the state not owning a car in the state the state not owning a car in the state where<02:29:01.920
• <02:35:00.160> each uh and and because the state each uh and and because the state each state
• <03:00:44.359> Department um state secret U uh State Department um state secret U uh State

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . within the state.
• accounting across the state. accounting across the state.
• all the shelters in the state. all the shelters in the state.
• state.
• other states? other states?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for a state fund.
• I work for a state fund.
• I've worked for the state for 24 years. I've been working for the state for 24 years.
• payroll cuts for state workers in the May Revision of the state budget.
• I am a state worker who can already barely afford to live in this state.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update on the state’s generative AI implementation and related oversight. Administration officials said several proof-of-concept projects have moved into minimum viable product phases, including work at CDTFA and Caltrans, and that CDPH has a May Revision request for up to $8 million to scale up its healthcare facilities inspections project. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the administration to publish a report on lessons learned from each POC and recommended limiting the new generative AI approval process to a pilot through the first two rounds of projects, with continued monthly meetings and stronger legislative oversight. Members pressed for more transparency and questioned why the CDPH request was not included in January; the administration said the cost estimate was not available then and that only one project is seeking additional resources beyond existing departmental budgets. The committee then reviewed a proposed $400 million loan from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund to the General Fund. Finance and the Labor Agency said the fund has grown because civil penalty revenues have risen sharply, and the loan would be repaid in 2029-30 with provisional language allowing earlier repayment if needed. The LAO agreed the fund could support the loan but warned that recent PAGA reforms may reduce future revenues. Public commenters, including labor and community groups, argued the money should instead support labor-law enforcement and outreach programs such as CWOP, and urged rejection of the loan. Members also heard a Department of Industrial Relations request for $19.1 million for phase two of Public Works Information Technology System Enhancements, which officials said will support labor-law enforcement and apprenticeship registration. The department said the project was delayed because a prior procurement did not result in a contract award and that completion is now expected in October 2026. The committee then took up an EDD Next reappropriation technical adjustment to extend UI fund spending authority through June 30, 2026; the LAO said the request was fine but again raised concerns about oversight of the larger modernization effort, which EDD said now totals more than $660 million and is expected to continue through 2029. Finally, the committee discussed DGS’s request for new parking facilities near the May Lee Building and a trailer bill shifting statewide telework policy language from DGS to CalHR while also expanding NDI eligibility for certain CEA employees. The LAO said the telework trailer bill should likely go through the policy committee process instead of budget, and union and employee witnesses strongly opposed it, arguing it would undermine bargaining rights and could be used to narrow telework. In a separate item on the governor’s return-to-office order, administration officials said departments are being directed to move to a four-day in-office expectation starting July 1, 2025, but they had no statewide cost estimate yet because departments are still assessing vacancies, exemptions, and space needs. Members criticized the lack of analysis and said the state should have clearer numbers before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• make the state run. make the state run.
• State funded capital construction. An act related to state funded capital construction. Mr.
• , state, state, >> Representative<01:16:33.440> Lean.
• I have a state lease that state lands.
• in the middle of the state on I80. in the middle of the state on I80.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me state, first of all, that I love this state and I am committed to its success.
• So the success of this state is very important. So the success of this state is very important.
• I have stated that one of the concerns of our state is that we don't have what I call a true economic
• I have stated that one of the concerns of our state is that we don't have what I call a true economic
• The state, the state...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard informational updates and budget requests from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), and the California Film Commission. Go-Biz Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First strategy, including regional economic planning, sector working groups, and investments in priority industries such as ag-tech, space and defense, life sciences, semiconductors, and microelectronics. She also outlined budget proposals for a five-year extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional staffing for the film tax credit program, innovation and emerging technologies work, and the new California brand campaign. Senators questioned the campaign’s purpose, its relationship to tourism promotion, and whether it could obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns; Myers said it was intended to counter misinformation, promote California’s economic strengths, and support business attraction and retention, not to shut down debate about policy challenges. CalOSBA Deputy Director Claire Whitmer and program partners reported on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and technical assistance/capital infusion programs. CalOSBA said RISE’s first cohort awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively expanded operations and employment for people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with updated services and a new grant administrator. The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund fully distributed $11.6 million to 100 recipients, but witnesses said demand far exceeded available funding and that the sector remains fragile after the pandemic and AB 5-related cost increases. The technical assistance and capital programs were described as serving more than 112,000 businesses in the last year, helping start 3,780 new businesses and leverage significant loan and equity capital, with emphasis on outreach to women-, minority-, veteran-, rural-, and low-wealth-owned firms. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach underserved communities. One senator asked for longitudinal data on employment social enterprises and whether jobs created through incentives persist over time; CalOSBA said it would provide prior studies and future tracking. Another senator pressed for more outreach and support for small businesses at different stages of development, especially those in disadvantaged communities that may struggle to access capital. The California Film Commission then presented a request for three permanent positions and ongoing funding to administer the expanded film and television tax credit program. Commissioners said the program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with about 90% of productions opting into new diversity provisions and reporting due to the Legislature in 2027. The LAO supported the film commission staffing request given the larger program size and expanded applicant pool. No votes were taken; the items were informational or budget requests under review.

Transcript Highlights:

• is in the culture in this state is in the culture in this state government,<00:01:07.520> it's
• <00:01:13.040> welfare of how we manage the state welfare of how we manage the state welfare
• have no more fraud than any other state. have no more fraud than any other state.
• I was in state scuttle the bill.
• state attorney general's office? state attorney general's office?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• start off with State start off with State libraries<00:11:06.680> thank<00:11:07.120>
• <00:26:57.520> of funds for schools across the state of funds for schools across the state
• state.
• <02:24:42.760> and but you represent 2% of the state and but you represent 2% of the state
• plans<02:31:53.520> is<02:31:53.640> how State offices State office plans is how State

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we cover a pretty broad scope of the state.
• The state is not a party in local election cases.
• They're representing the interests of the state of Texas.
• Who happens to be my state rep.
• Uh, the answers we're covering state ID, state, uh, voter ID, uh, and driver's licenses.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been done for decades in the United States since 1998.
• I'm a deputy chief with the New Mexico State Police.
• I'm Matt Brum, Deputy Chief of the New Mexico State Police.
• We got elected to make our state a better state.
• states.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state match they're requesting at this meeting is 10,958,091.
• They're just requesting their state match which is 2,841,142.
• The state match being requested is 456,000.
• The state match being requested is 5,469,979.
• State Tribal Summit.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are approximately 95 of them in the state of Minnesota today.
• There are approximately 95 of them in the state of Minnesota today.
• It's through way through several<01:05:11.520> states. several states. several states.
• And so, it could be a model for other states to replicate.
• And so, it could be a model for other states to replicate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are now on the record in the matter of Tara Simmons, the respondent in this matter, in Washington State
• Would you please once again state your name for the record? Sure, it's Kimberly Gordon.
• Powers, would you please state your name once more for the record?
• Powers, would you please state your name once more for the record?
• People do stuff that was all the way, like, out of pocket, and, you know, state covering up for the state

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance. Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns. Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the state agency, we follow the compensation packages and benefit packages of the state.
• Not other state?
• Which other states do that? Excuse me, which other states do that?
• Which other states do that? Excuse me, which other states do that? Which other states do that?
• There are a number of other states that have a state veterinarian dedicated.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.