Transcript Highlights:

• They are essential infrastructure for operating in the modern economy.
• funding with their actual operational needs.
• Just to note, this proposal's fiscal effect mostly operates, or entirely operates, through the research
• So some of this was intended as technical cleanup to match today's practice.
• But the goal is cleanup. Because I just talked in a very complicated way.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• throughout many other federal and state laws, rules and regulations, as well as through practical operational
• And then once the project commences, the project operator will then report to.
• This, uh, bill is a, a cleanup bill to, uh, have a consistent definition for the, uh, rural political
• Uh, it's a cleanup from last session for unintended consequences, and I close.
• That are currently operating in the state of Texas that do conservation easements with landowners.

Bills: HB 937, HB 2078, HB 2080, HB 3322, HB 3350, HB 4212, HB 4630, HB 4896, HB 4951, HB 5348, HB 5675, SB 565, SB 971, SB 1662, SB 2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• That fund already exists and is in operation.
• Uh, this bill is a cleanup to that. So that's why I mention that.
• The committee substitute to House Bill 5248 is a cleanup bill to Senate Bill 2173 from last session,
• Government efficiency, it streamlines operations at the agency, reduces burdens for staff and backlog
• Uh, pretty simple bill, just a cleanup bill, and uh I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That fund already exists and is in operation.
• This bill is a cleanup to that, so that's why I'm... I wanted to give you a little background.
• The committee substitute to House Bill 5248 is a cleanup bill to Senate Bill 2170 from last session,
• The bill promotes government efficiency by streamlining operations at the agency, reducing burdens for
• It's really just a cleanup bill that was requested. by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Bills: SB670, SB1388, SB627, SB912, SB269, SB528, HB2711, HB4819, HB5248, HB4175

Keywords: SB 670, investigational sun protection products, sun protection, sunscreen, FDA approval, clinical trial, phase one trial, patient access, informed consent, physician prescription, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Medical Board, compassionate use, experimental treatment, medical freedom, patient autonomy, healthcare regulation, dietitian, dietitians, licensed dietitian

Transcript Highlights:

• oversubscribed cleanup grants from CalRecycle.
• oversubscribed cleanup grants from Cal Recite. and we're constantly applying for oversubscribed cleanup
• They apply to active undercover operations instead of just undercover operations, with no clarification
• They apply to tactical operations, not just regular operations, and there's a distinction and a difference
• operations in the same manner.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just, you know, a little bit of cleanup language based on what some governor or some judges had requested
• We just, you know, a little bit of cleanup language based on what some governor or some judges had requested
• money, and they have some leeway with money that's not necessarily set aside to run day-to-day operations
• And we want, and, but they're kind of... ...set aside to run day-to-day operations that they can't invest
• So I think if you look across the state, there are governmental hospitals operating facilities outside

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an operating agreement between the university and American Campus Communities that states the
• How long is that operating agreement in place, Mr. Chair? Mr.
• The only two of that 10 that are operated by American Campus Communities were assessed in 2020, and we
• There's definitely some cleanup that probably needs to be done entirely on the statute. cleanup that
• gotten to talk about now this statute in extensive ways, I also feel that this statute needs a real cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• You wanted to adopt the technical corrections and the catch up, cleanup. Mr.
• The other important reason to leave it in the operating reserve as opposed to pre-funding a separate
• It was to reduce the operational piece by that chunk, which just took out the third year.
• That's for operations of the African American Art Performing Arts Center.
• That's the main source of their operating budget. Okay, thank you. That one cleared up.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you remind us as a group, what is the base for operation intern?
• Can you remind us as a group, what is the base for operation intern?
• Operation intern, we've agreed there. Keep it with the Senate amount at $2 million.
• So I just want to make sure that we're writing that so we're operating.
• Chair, trying to get on a best practice type operation.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, all the maintenance, administration, and operation funding that we spend goes to
• gas tax slightly, diesel tax, and instituted fees on hybrid and electric vehicles so that those operators
• So this week we've dubbed spring cleanup week, and tomorrow is spring cleanup day at ARDOT.
• So every one of our operations team, over 2,500 people, will be out on the highways picking up litter

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not simply a technical cleanup bill. It expands government authority. Thank you, Mr.
• This is not simply a technical cleanup bill. It expands government authority. Submissions.
• This is not simply a technical cleanup bill.
• Businesses are already facing record legal lawsuits, record taxes, record operating costs, and record
• As you know, I grew up in Tulare in the heart of California's dairy industry, and my family operated

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not yet have a quorum, so we will operate as a subcommittee so we can begin our bill presentations
• AB 2390 is cleanup legislation to clarify existing law. Thank you.
• My district is home to all three of our county's operating...
• My district is home to all three of our county's operating farm worker housing centers.
• Lodger rents cover about 40% of our operating costs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing met without a quorum at first and operated as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and took up several housing-related bills. Early presentations focused on AB 2390, a cleanup measure to clarify streamlined housing approvals and how modifications are reviewed; AB 1890, which would increase state matching funds for Napa County farmworker housing centers; and AB 956, which would clarify accessory dwelling unit law by allowing more flexibility in how ADUs are built and by clarifying application of ADU protections in common interest developments. Supporters for these bills emphasized predictability, farmworker housing stability, and expanded housing options for multigenerational families, while opponents of AB 956 raised concerns about neighborhood density, infrastructure, and local control. AB 956 drew the most extensive debate. Committee members discussed whether it was a clarification or expansion of ADU law, the potential for triggering density bonus rules, and possible local government costs. The author accepted committee amendments to avoid allowing a third ADU/JADU combination that could trigger density bonus implications. The committee then voted to do pass AB 956 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government, with one no vote recorded and the bill held on call for absent members. The committee also took votes on the consent calendar and on AB 2390 and AB 1890, but those measures were likewise held on call for absent members after favorable motions. The committee also heard AB 939, which would let developers transfer income-restricted ownership units to qualified nonprofit affordable housing organizations without waiting 180 days after certificate of occupancy. Supporters, including Habitat for Humanity and California YIMBY, said the bill would reduce vacancy, carrying costs, and help preserve long-term affordability. The California Association of Realtors opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it could limit buyer choice, codify first-right-of-refusal practices, and reduce wealth-building opportunities for families. After discussion, the bill was moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a do pass motion and held on call. Later bills included AB 1165, which would require state housing agencies to create a fiscal analysis and financial plan for ending homelessness; AB 1184, which would add transparency and open-meeting style requirements for homeowners associations; and AB 2035, a narrowly tailored measure to help Laguna Woods Village update outdated CC&Rs by lowering the vote threshold needed to seek court approval. AB 1165 and AB 2035 both received broad support and were moved forward on do pass motions, while AB 1184 also advanced despite late opposition from the California Association of Realtors. The committee then began hearing AB 1573, which would add survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to local housing element target populations, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony or any vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:47.399> hyperscale members who build and operate hyperscale members who build and operate
• <00:48:47.559> and we can invest in meaningful cleanup and we can invest in meaningful cleanup
• water resources are depleted and cleanup water resources are depleted and cleanup costs<00:49:11.480
• <00:51:31.160> data conversations about how to operate data conversations about how to operate
• <01:26:56.040> and when that's centers are operational and when that's centers are operational

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is<00:04:39.360> is<00:04:39.680> truly<00:04:39.919> a<00:04:40.080> cleanup
• <00:04:40.479> bill<00:04:40.720> for believe is is truly a cleanup bill for believe
• is is truly a cleanup bill for getting<00:04:41.600> and<00:04:41.840> aligning<00:04:
• In all seriousness, would this operate similar to a survivorship deed?
• this operate similar to a survivorship deed?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 17, a cleanup bill updating Kentucky CASA statutes. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill would reduce the required board size from 15 to 12 to better fit rural and regional programs, remove the ban on certain CHFS employees serving as CASA volunteers while preserving DCBS independence, and update statutory references from the National CASA Association to the Kentucky CASA Network and current national standards language. Members expressed support for the program’s child advocacy role. A committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and SB 17 passed 8-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard Senate Bill 34, which would authorize transfer-on-death deeds for a primary residence or primary vehicle. The sponsor and Uniform Law Commission witnesses said the measure is intended to let owners name a beneficiary to receive property at death without probate, while retaining full ownership and revocation rights during life. They said the bill is designed to be simple, affordable, and protective of creditors, Medicaid recovery, and surviving spouse rights, and that it has been adopted in 30 states. Questions focused on how the deed would interact with wills, revocation, and possible fraud or family disputes; witnesses said a will would not revoke a TOD deed, only a recorded revocation or later deed would, and that challenges to capacity could be brought within two years. The county clerk association requested a future floor amendment on details, and title companies and bankers were described as neutral. SB 34 passed 8-0 and was reported favorably, with some members noting they would want to review the forthcoming amendment before final floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the new folks that are sitting in, Senator Gonzalez and I proposed a bill last year that was a cleanup
• So this is really a cleanup bill.
• So anyway, it just seems like a cleanup bill, but I thought sometimes you can clean up too much, and
• All right, we are voting to endorse the cleanup PERA cleanup bill that we heard at our last meeting and
• So, you also look at their boards or how they administer the funds, their operations, whether they've

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one dam that is owned and operated by ISC.
• It's owned and operated by the Interstate Stream Commission.
• to operate their system over the years.
• It was operated for almost 50 years, from 1973 to 2022.
• The plant operated under three discharge permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• So 100% of the fees would go to the Bureau's operations, and 50% would go to the actual endowment program
• With that, I have to help me here batting cleanup.
• Options and facilitate the takeover of failed private cemeteries to other private operators.
• Dealing with baseline standards around removal of debris and cleanup and also protecting folks against
• And the changes in this bill aim to improve the overall operations of the board.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said this is Amendment 2 to House Bill 1006, a cleanup bill for DFNA.
• It's a cleanup bill for Bill 10.06, it's a cleanup bill for DFNA.
• Colleagues, this House Bill 1053, which is the University of Little Rock operation budget.
• We could do something similar with net operating losses, which were one of the most uncompetitive in
• I've seen how this operates, and even our small businesses benefit.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 651 provides an operational cleanup by allowing these officers...
• SB 651 provides an operational cleanup by allowing these offices to report either to Commissioners Court
• This change supports streamlined internal management and aligns veteran services with other county operations
• MetroCare, in operation since 1967, is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas.
• Since 2016, MetroCare has partnered with Cohen Veterans Network to operate the Stephen A.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard a briefing from the Texas Veterans Commission on its major programs and outreach efforts. TVC described its claims assistance, health care advocacy, education oversight, employment services, entrepreneurship support, mental health and suicide prevention work, women veterans services, grant funding for nonprofits and local governments, and support for veteran treatment courts. The agency also highlighted its communications strategy, including media outreach, events, newsletters, social media, and the Texas Veterans State Benefits Booklet, and noted that less than 58% of veterans were aware of TVC in the latest needs assessment. A committee member asked about performance metrics, and TVC said each appropriation has associated measures and that it could provide recent results. The committee then took up Senate Bill 651, which would allow a county veterans service office in a large county to report either directly to commissioners court or to a designated county executive official. Senator West explained the bill as a cleanup of current practice, and Dallas County testified in support, saying the change would streamline internal management. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 897 would reduce the non-state matching requirement for the Texas Veterans and Family Alliance grant program in larger counties from 100 percent to 75 percent in the committee substitute, rather than the 50 percent reduction in the filed version. Supporters from MetroCare and Emergence Health Network said the lower match would help sustain and expand veteran mental health services, citing increased demand and program growth. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also adopted its rules. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1814, which would create an interagency database to collect and coordinate contact information for transitioning veterans so agencies could proactively connect them with services. Senator Hancock said the goal was to better use information already being collected, though he noted the bill had a significant fiscal note. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1818, which would create a temporary six-month licensing and certification process for military members and spouses assigned to Texas while they wait for letters of good standing from other states. VFW testified in support, emphasizing the importance of employment for military families. Both bills were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• operations plan to local first responders.
• So there's emergency operation plans, but not citing requirements.
• It could be design, manufacturing, and then the ongoing operation. ...from an operator or from the software
• We don't operate a risk pool, as many of you know.
• This gets into the real cleanup aspects of this.

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer