Transcript Highlights:

• an institution was to go from, say, producing 61,000 credits down to 59,000 credits, they had a reduction
• an institution was to go from, say, producing 61,000 credits down to 59,000 credits, they had a reduction
• They had a reduction in completed credits, but they might see an increase in funding because they went
• And then at 2,000, we also made a slight reduction from...

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then item seven is reduction of overtime and getting paid, so all those things the governor asked
• So, I mean, do you think that the reduction in the workforce over there is contributing to your need?
• And, you know, perhaps I will benefit from a slight reduction... ...toward child care, and, you know,
• perhaps I will benefit from a slight reduction or a slight reimbursement from that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then item seven is reduction of overtime and getting paid.
• So, I mean, do you think that the reduction in the workforce over there is contributing to your need?
• And, you know, perhaps I will benefit from a slight reduction... ...toward child care, and, you know,
• perhaps I will benefit from a slight reduction or a slight reimbursement from that.

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical Arizona tax conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would conform state tax law to the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, with some provisions applied retroactively to tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills exclude the federal senior deduction for those 65 and older, the higher state and local tax deduction, and the new car loan interest deduction, while including a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. The JLBC fiscal note estimated a $441.3 million general fund revenue loss in FY 2026, and members discussed that this was roughly the same as full conformity because the bill’s adjustments offset some of the federal changes. Bill sponsors and supporters argued the measure should be enacted early to give taxpayers and tax preparers certainty before filing season, noting that the Department of Revenue had already issued forms assuming conformity and that delay could force amended returns. They said the bill reflects a negotiated package that preserves most of the federal tax relief while tailoring it for Arizona, especially by lowering the senior deduction age to 60 and replacing the auto loan deduction with family-focused provisions such as the higher child credit and child care deduction. The Arizona Society of CPAs and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing the need for early conformity and fewer filing complications. Opponents, including Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, argued the package would reduce state revenue, worsen the structural deficit, and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Some witnesses criticized the inclusion of federal school-choice-related provisions and warned about uncertainty around future federal guidance, while others said the bill should not move ahead before the budget process. Members also debated whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the state later diverged from the Department of Revenue forms, and whether the senior and child care provisions were targeted or equitable. The transcript ends during public testimony, with no final committee vote or action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We connect patients with community providers and provide harm reduction services and supports through
• We've got contracts for harm reduction as well.
• I know that there has been a reduction in the Medicaid population this year for various reasons.
• going to provide us an opportunity at the agency such that we would recognize a surplus related to a reduction

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, the harm reduction and substance use disorder programs. Okay.
• And then of course the harm reduction<00:34:00.320><c> and</c><00:34:00.640><c> substance</c><00:34:01.039
• ><c> use</c><00:34:01.279><c> disorder</c> reduction and substance use disorder reduction and substance

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Human Services met to review budget items carved out in the prior session budget, including long-term care surveyor contracts, funding for local health departments, and expansion of the central laboratory. The committee approved the June 4 minutes and then heard an update from the Office of Inspector General’s Division of Health Care on long-term care certification surveys and complaint investigations. Officials said the $1 million annual appropriation for contracted survey work, along with salary increases and other resources, helped the state reduce its backlog. They reported that Kentucky completed 101 long-term care certification surveys in fiscal year 2024, up from 28 in fiscal year 2023, and had completed 186 surveys by July 7, 2025, with a goal of 40 to 50 more before the end of fiscal year 2025. Outstanding complaints fell from 1,565 at the end of fiscal year 2024 to 695 by July 7, 2025, and outstanding priority-one or immediate-jeopardy complaints were reduced to zero. Members asked about the definition of priority-one cases, survey timing, the number of facilities still overdue, vacancy rates, federal funding reliance, and the use of contract surveyors. Officials said priority-one cases involve serious harm or high risk of harm, that surveys are required within a 12- to 15.7-month window, and that the agency now has 40 contract surveyors and an outside team option. Several members praised the progress but warned that delays in surveys can endanger residents and urged continued funding and monitoring. The committee then began hearing from Mike Tuggle of the Department of Public Health on the Public Health Transformation Initiative, with Tuggle noting the legislation’s importance to public health financing. The transcript cuts off as he began his remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 52% from 2005 levels compared with only a 38% reduction
• 2005 levels compared with only 30<00:07:38.639><c> a</c><00:07:39.080><c> 38%</c><00:07:40.080><c> reduction
• </c> 30 a 38% reduction nationally. 30 a 38% reduction nationally.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We standardized the fee reductions as fixed percentages.
• We standardize<01:39:13.600><c> the</c><01:39:13.920><c> fee</c><01:39:14.239><c> reductions</c><01:39
• :14.719><c> as</c><01:39:15.040><c> fixed</c> standardize the fee reductions as fixed standardize the
• fee reductions as fixed percentages.<01:39:16.400><c> These</c><01:39:16.719><c> were</c><01:39:16.880

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually, we did bring it in at $132.5 million, an $11 million reduction.
• 46.480><c> million,</c><00:08:47.279><c> an</c><00:08:47.680><c> $11</c><00:08:48.519><c> million</c> reduction
• 52.800><c> the</c><00:08:53.440><c> eas</c><00:08:54.399><c> things</c><00:08:54.640><c> that</c> reduction
• One of the eas things that reduction.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill would direct the Department of State Health Services to conduct a study on the prevention and reduction
• read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction
• read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction
• read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day. Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously. The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure. The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 88, there's a $10 million reduction to the community stabilization program specifically for single-family
• On line 88 there's a $10 million<00:13:47.200><c> reduction</c><00:13:47.600><c> to</c><00:13:47.760>
• <c> the</c><00:13:47.920><c> community</c> million reduction to the community million reduction to the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it was agreed upon at the committee of conference that we would settle for a severe reduction in this
• settle<00:36:40.800><c> for</c><00:36:41.040><c> a</c><00:36:41.200><c> severe</c><00:36:41.599><c> reduction
• </c><00:36:42.000><c> in</c><00:36:42.240><c> this</c> settle for a severe reduction in this settle for
• a severe reduction in this kind<00:36:42.560><c> of</c><00:36:42.800><c> grant</c><00:36:43.200><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the federal government is considering a massive 18% reduction to the IRS workforce, which
• considering<00:37:36.800><c> a</c><00:37:36.840><c> massive</c><00:37:37.320><c> 18%</c><00:37:38.120><c> reduction
• </c><00:37:38.760><c> to</c> considering a massive 18% reduction to considering a massive 18% reduction

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It appropriates $7.4 million in FY 26 and $4.5 million in FY 27 for fire response and fuels reduction
• :54:52.000><c> response</c><00:54:52.640><c> and</c><00:54:52.799><c> fuels</c><00:54:53.559><c> reduction
• </c><00:54:54.559><c> $3</c> fire response and fuels reduction $3 fire response and fuels reduction $3

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That will allow us to meet our statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, including the goal
• That will allow us to meet our statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
• That will allow us to meet our statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, including the goal
• These are the limited opportunities that the state has in this space in order to seek reductions from

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the involuntary medical treatment panel: we categorically oppose the reduction in the number
• Second, the involuntary medical treatment panel: we categorically oppose the reduction in the number
• Second, the involuntary medical treatment panel: we categorically oppose the reduction in the number
• Second, the involuntary medical treatment panel: we categorically oppose the reduction in the number

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• states, and we are seeing improvements in the quality of life of the residents, and data shows a reduction
• are designed to accomplish outcomes such as functional, adaptive, and social skills, as well as a reduction
• We're seeing improvements in the quality of life of the residents, and data shows a reduction in overall
• are designed to accomplish outcomes such as functional, adaptive, and social skills, as well as a reduction

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So issues and challenges: we do include a chart that shows our reduction in positions over the years
• 06.599><c> our</c> we do include a a chart that shows our we do include a a chart that shows our reduction
• ><c> positions</c><00:45:09.599><c> over</c><00:45:09.920><c> the</c><00:45:10.079><c> years</c> reduction
• in in positions over the years reduction in in positions over the years so<00:45:10.960><c> that</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work. Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states. Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, there would be no reduction in oversight since managers would continue to be subject to

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met with an initial lack of quorum, so the hearing began as a subcommittee. The main item heard was SB 972, authored by Senator Grayson, which would modernize California’s licensing rules for non-bank commercial lenders by creating a streamlined umbrella license for SEC-registered investment advisers and their advised lending vehicles. The author and sponsor, LSTA, said the current California Financing Law can cause duplicative licensing, long delays, and reduced access to capital for middle-market and large California businesses, while the bill would preserve DFPI oversight and increase fee revenue. No one testified in opposition, and no registered opposition appeared. After quorum was established, the committee took up the bill and advanced it on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also later took up the consent calendar, which was adopted on a 6-0 vote after the meeting reconvened. When the committee reconvened with a quorum, it formally adopted the consent calendar and then approved SB 972 on a 6-0 vote with a do pass recommendation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you vote for an income tax reduction, you're voting for yourself anyway, if that makes sense.

Summary: The Committee on Pensions met with a quorum and considered several retirement-related bills. Members first discussed House Bill 2095, which concerns cost-of-living increases on certain retirement allowances. Several representatives raised concerns about the fiscal impact and potential conflicts of interest because family members receive the pension benefits; some said they would vote present for that reason. The committee then moved to a substitute for the bill, and the sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the increase would be a one-time, non-cumulative COLA “13th check” triggered only when investment returns exceed the target by more than 2%, and that it would not permanently raise benefits. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 295 was passed out on a 9-0 vote with three present. The committee then skipped House Bill 2144 and took up House Bill 2205, another pension-related measure described as similar to an earlier bill but with an unlimited deduction rather than capped provisions. Supporters framed it as a fairness issue, while opponents cited the fiscal note and state budget constraints. After brief discussion comparing it to related bills and noting the fiscal impact, the committee voted the bill out 7-3 with two present. Throughout the meeting, members also discussed whether voting on pension bills created conflicts of interest when legislators or their spouses are beneficiaries. Some members chose to vote present on that basis, while others said they would vote according to conscience because the measures would not affect them immediately or directly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that it is my duty to be able to contribute to a policy that will lead to a reduction in the
• there was a view that it's really hard on a lot of interests or businesses or people to make the reductions

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a referral item. It first acted on appointments not required to appear, including Michael Gunning to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, Eric Hines to the Gambling Control Commission, several nominees to the Civil Rights Council, nominees to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and Omar Passens to the Contractors’ State License Board. The committee also took up a reference of bills to committees. Most of these items were initially left open for absent members, then later approved on add-on votes, with some passing unanimously and others on split votes. The committee then heard testimony from two nominees to the California State University Board of Trustees, Kelly Dermody and Andrea Evans. Both emphasized access, student basic needs, housing affordability, enrollment balance across campuses, and the need to use artificial intelligence responsibly while preserving critical thinking and data privacy. Senators asked about intersegmental cooperation, CSU bachelor’s degree authority, tuition increases, and how the trustees would evaluate affordability and student outcomes. No public opposition was heard, and both nominees were advanced to the full Senate after committee votes. Finally, the committee heard from Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, nominated to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. He described his background as a pulmonologist and said he would bring a public health and science-based perspective to air quality policy, especially regarding pollution’s effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Senators focused on goods movement, warehouse growth, AB 617 communities, environmental justice, refinery and trucking impacts, and balancing emissions reductions with economic realities. After public comment, the committee voted to advance his nomination to the Senate floor, and the meeting concluded after add-on votes and a brief recess/closed session.