Transcript Highlights:

• Accounting Standards Board, or GASB, reporting requirements.
• But what we do have today is the accounting valuation, and what we can do is look at the accounting metrics
• I just have one slide for you today on the accounting results.
• the accounting metrics.
• I just have one slide for you today on the accounting results.

Committee: Joint Pension Funding Council

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on June 23, 2026, for a work session that began with an overview of the Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and a 2025 accounting valuation of that plan. Staff explained that the SRP is a closed defined benefit supplement for higher education employees hired before the 2011 closure, with employer contributions currently pre-funding benefits in institution-specific trusts while institutions still pay benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The State Actuary’s office reported that the plan’s accounting position has improved, with combined market assets of about $245 million against $377 million in accrued liability, and that strong market performance since 2022 has increased the asset-to-liability ratio. The office emphasized that this was an educational accounting valuation, not a funding valuation for rate-setting. The council then received the 2025 actuarial valuation report for the state retirement systems. Actuaries reviewed the recent demographic experience study, noting updated assumptions for mortality, retirement, termination, and salary growth, and said the net impact on most plans was small. They reported that most plans’ funded ratios improved, with all plans at least 94% funded and several at or above 100%, and that contribution rates for the 2027–2029 biennium are generally lower than current rates. They also noted that future rates could be affected by market volatility as deferred gains are recognized over the next few years. During public comment, a representative of the Association of Washington Cities urged the council to consider rate reductions to help local governments facing budget pressures. In executive session, the council first approved a motion directing the Office of the State Actuary to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution’s Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan, including institution-specific contribution rates, asset sufficiency, and funding policy options, due by July 1, 2028. The council then adopted the 2027–2029 pension contribution rates based on the 2025 actuarial valuation report. Both motions passed 5-0, with one member excused. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those things are also taken into account in Section C. Thank you.
• So right now, how are they accessing the funds in the account?
• the extension agent now with that local account?
• So you said the extension agent is over the local account?
• ...account. Do you know yet who would then be over it instead?

Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee met and adopted PCS working drafts for several bills before hearing them. House Bill 2210, by Representative Lay, would modernize Oklahoma’s youth apprenticeship system by allowing earlier entry, expanding eligibility to ages 16-25, assigning implementation to CareerTech, and adding paid-work protections and statewide ROI reporting; it passed 9-0. House Bill 4363, by Pro Tem Moore, would update outdated statutory references to reflect current operations and governance; it also passed 9-0. House Bill 2398, by Representative Hill, would create a “credential of value” framework to align higher education, CareerTech, and workforce systems, with safeguards for high-need fields and regional wage considerations. Supporters said it would help students understand the earning value of programs before enrolling, while concerns were raised about possible effects on humanities and other lower-paying fields; the bill passed 8-1. House Bill 3557, by Representative Danny Williams, would clarify that 4-H and county extension fundraising money remains locally controlled and protected rather than being swept into a state-level account. Members discussed how the funds are currently handled and who would control them under the proposal; the bill passed 6-2. House Bill 3701, by Representative Caldwell, would codify the State Regents’ existing process for reviewing and potentially consolidating low-producing higher education programs, including mandatory action after repeated low-producing status while preserving exemption authority. Questions focused on whether the bill merely formalized current practice and whether reporting back to the legislature should be added; the chair offered to include a reporting requirement if desired. The bill passed 6-2, and the chair announced this was the committee’s last House bill meeting for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Account, Ed Legacy, and also the Fair Start for Kids Account.
• matter—federal accounts, whether there are specific higher ed accounts, specific accounts in the natural
• This slide shows the NGFO, so the accounts that James mentioned earlier, fall into the NGFO accounts,
• There's also transfers between NGFO accounts and other accounts that may be directed in the budget or
• , but you have to account for it as you're making decisions for the other NGFO accounts.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection Restitution Account.
• <00:58:39.640><c> and</c><00:58:40.480><c> um</c><00:58:41.480><c> the</c> account and um the account
• </c> information for uh for the um account information for uh for the um account and<01:02:17.520><c>
• </c> in the house um how the how the account in the house um how the how the account is<01:03:47.000>
• or administration of the account.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Accounting procedures for municipalities are set forth in municipal accounting law in Arkansas Code Annotated
• Continuing on page 30, accounting procedures for municipalities are set forth in the municipal accounting
• These are accounting majors.
• of accounts and accounting purposes.
• Of that money, you know, there's two accounts there: the restitution account, and the Of that money,

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• Memorandum and balancing accounts act as... ...and balancing accounts that never expire.
• such accounts or adopt a cost-sharing mechanism for costs recovered above those accounts.
• such accounts or adopt a cost-sharing mechanism for costs recovered above those accounts.
• accounts by outsiders.
• We're trying to create stronger oversight and accountability of use of these accounts.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The request is to open a new ZBA account at... The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• Their request is to close an existing bank account with Regions Bank and open a new bank account with
• So, the escrow account... Thank you.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the September 3, 2025 meeting and then considered a series of banking and account requests from state agencies. Most items involved opening new accounts or transferring existing accounts to different financial institutions to improve payment processing, accessibility, or reduce fees. These included requests from the Department of Conservation and Energy for a new ZBA account at J.P. Morgan Chase and acceptance of a transferred Hancock Whitney account; the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for a new W.R. Irby Trust account at Gulf Coast Bank; and several Department of Health requests for new J.P. Morgan accounts to handle federal wire draws, interpreter registry deposits, and Safe Drinking Water Program credit card payments. Members asked questions on the Department of Health wire-transfer item, and staff explained that the new account was needed because federal same-day wire transfers could not be submitted in a combined Treasury/agency name format and had been rejected under the prior setup. The Department of Justice received approval to close a Regions Bank account and move to LaCap Federal Credit Union because of lower fees. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections was approved to open an operating account for a new motor vehicle field office at Fort Polk, and the Department of Health’s Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center was approved to move a resident funds fiduciary account from J.P. Morgan to Red River Bank due to policy changes affecting debit card use. The committee also approved an escrow account for the Louisiana Evidence Control Unit under Public Safety Services to collect and settle seized evidentiary funds not pending forfeiture, with monthly reconciliation by financial services. After completing the agenda, the committee took no further business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• So this is a request to open a new bank account for the W.R.
• The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• The request is to open a new ZBA account at J.P.
• Their request is to close an existing bank account with Regions Bank and open a new bank account with

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the September 3, 2025 meeting and then considered a series of banking and account requests from state agencies. Most items involved opening new zero-balance or operating accounts, transferring existing accounts, or changing banks to improve payment processing, accessibility, or reduce fees. Agencies included the Department of Conservation and Energy, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Several Department of Health requests were approved, including new accounts for federal wire transfers, the state’s online interpreter registry, and Safe Drinking Water Program application fees. Members also approved a transfer of a resident funds fiduciary account from J.P. Morgan to Red River Bank because of policy changes affecting debit card use. The Department of Justice received approval to close a Regions Bank account and move to LaCap Federal Credit Union due to much lower monthly fees, and Public Safety and Corrections was approved to open an operating account for a new motor vehicle field office at Fort Polk. The committee also approved an escrow account for the Louisiana Evidence Control Unit under Public Safety Services to collect and settle seized evidentiary funds not pending forfeiture. After no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to be taking into account how many transactions will be in that account?
• I have my trust account. I have our trust account there.
• prioritizes IOTA accounts over customer accounts.
• prioritizes IOTA accounts over customer accounts.
• My money market account could be comparable to an IOTA account.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first panel will hear from the LAO about how the current budget stabilization account works.
• and deposits into the account.
• And it stays within the reserve account, or does it go to the General Fund, the interest?
• This is the account you all created last year.
• It's untested, and it's called the Projected Surplus Temporary Holding Account.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The aeronautics account is administered by the Department of Transportation.
• This is really accountability to where we've got to meet the requirements for the FAA.
• Under current law, such revenues are deposited into several dedicated accounts.
• and pollution liability insurance trust account to the aeronautics account in FY 27 and an estimated
• The bill would move an estimated $120,000 from MTCA accounts to the new account in FY 27, an estimated

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have accountability and transparency.
• wrong, and I want to hold them accountable.
• wrong, and I want to hold them accountable.
• wrong, and I want to hold them accountable.
• , account. individuals can snap people away without a name or a face to hold accountable accountability

Bills: HB2165 , HB2173 , HB2203 , HB2293

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: peace officer, false identification, law enforcement, criminal penalties, public safety, face coverings, regulations, civil rights, emergency operations, reckless interference, offense, foreign entities, training, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• Each institution is accounted for and funded separately.
• Accounting Standards Board, or GASB, reporting requirements.
• But what we do have today is the accounting valuation, and what we can do is look at the accounting metrics
• What we do have today is the accounting valuation, and what we can do is look at the accounting metrics
• As I mentioned a couple of slides ago, they are accounted...

Committee: Joint Pension Funding Council

Transcript Highlights:

• AND SO THE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL, AGAIN I COME FROM A BACKGROUND OF EDUCATION WHERE IT IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY
• WE WOULD NOT HIDE AWAY FROM PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
• I WILL JUMP FORWARD TO WHAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL IS APPROVED BY THE STATE MODEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY
• GOING BACK TO ACCOUNTABILITY WE’RE LOOKING AT ACCELERATION.
• THAT IS WHY SWIFT ACCOUNTABILITY CAME INTO PLAY.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are not maturing deposits. accounts, provided that the IRA accounts meet or exceed the same minimum
• balance or other account requirements.
• And that is, these are checking accounts, just like other checking accounts that we have.
• They are checking accounts; they're high volume.
• They have operating accounts, personal accounts, retirement accounts, and generally business working

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, accounts maintained by the state generally fall into three categories: accounts
• known as local accounts.
• The account is not appropriated, but it is subject to allotment procedures, and any funds in the account
• All receipts from gifts, grants, or donations for the account must be deposited into the account, and
• called the Recycling Refund Program account.

Bills: HB1607 , HB2159 , HB2441 , HB2521 , HB2531 , HB2543

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: recycling, waste reduction, environmental policy, sustainability, municipal regulations, preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, HB 2441, line of duty death, survivor benefits, medical insurance premium reimbursement, surviving spouse, domestic partner, dependent children, public employee death benefits, retirement system, Washington State

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts are not asking for less accountability.
• Is it accountability?
• Transparency, engagement, accountability for increasing and improving services, accountability for closing
• Also, on the Governor's accountability or realignment proposal, we are supportive of drawing clear accountability
• Also, on the Governor's accountability or realignment proposal, we are supportive of drawing clear accountability

Summary: The joint hearing focused on coherence in California’s education planning and reporting systems, especially the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and related grant plans. Committee chairs and members described widespread frustration with duplicative, lengthy, and sometimes conflicting reporting requirements, while emphasizing that the goal was not to reduce accountability but to make planning more useful, stable, and student-centered. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also previewed the Governor’s education budget priorities, including expanded learning, community schools, universal transitional kindergarten, literacy supports, and concerns about the proposed Prop. 98 deferral. Panelists from the State Board of Education, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LCAP was intended to balance local flexibility with statewide transparency, but has become overloaded by repeated revisions and additional requirements. They argued for fewer core reporting elements, more stability over time, better alignment of planning cycles, and integrated systems that reduce duplication. Fresno County staff described a multi-year calendar and support tools that help districts manage timelines, but said these tools only ease the burden rather than solve the underlying problem. The LAO noted that some newer plans, such as expanded learning and transportation plans, are narrative-heavy and often less informative than separate reporting requirements. Local district leaders and county officials described the practical effects of the current system: staff time diverted from instruction, multiple portals and forms, audit risk aversion, and planning documents that can exceed 100 pages. Several superintendents said coherent systems work best when districts have clear priorities, stable governance, and aligned budgets, and when state requirements are predictable and tied to outcomes like literacy, attendance, and student achievement. The California Federation of Teachers added that coherence also depends on meaningful collaboration with educators, classified staff, parents, and communities. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the state should streamline reporting, create a uniform portal, or develop a more unified grant-reporting structure, and Thurmond said the department was piloting a simplified common form and was willing to work with the Legislature and districts on broader solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:38.880><c> um</c> transportation services account um transportation services account um that's
• </c><00:20:45.280><c> Um</c> accounts that I'll mention later. Um accounts that I'll mention later.
• </c> operating account as well. operating account as well.
• ><00:26:48.080><c> account.
• </c> air transportation services account. air transportation services account.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This lack of accountability has real consequences.
• And the last part is accountability.
• It also takes into account the positive impact.
• Holding them accountable. They have to come before us.
• I definitely have a lot of ideas about accountability and how we implement accountability measures, not

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Various restricted funds were deposited in the wrong accounts.
• Accounting procedures from municipalities set forth in state law and other accounting procedures as follows
• show in the accounts.
• It is paramount that you are held accountable to your consumer. that you are held accountable to your
• It's sitting in that Arkansas Natural Resources account.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports for 2022 and 2023, noting continued progress toward compliance and reinstatement of turnback funds for several cities. It also deferred several matters to the June 4 meeting, including Fargo’s municipal accounting noncompliance report, Jericho’s street-fund misuse issue, Biggers and Holly Grove deferred reports, and a group of private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. Members then heard and filed a detailed report on the City of Strong, which involved repeat findings on undeposited receipts, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, late payroll tax payments, accounting control problems, and fund balance issues. Mayor Darrell Howell described corrective steps, including new internal controls, outside CPA assistance, repayment of misapplied funds, budget amendments, and efforts to address the findings; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. The committee also filed reports on Thornton Waterworks, Calhoun County, Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, Camden, Johnson County, and Sparkman, while deferring several private water reports and other unresolved items. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District and other regional solid waste districts. The audit found issues in Pulaski County involving unapproved payroll items, missing credit card documentation, unapproved contracts, vehicle and cell phone documentation problems, lack of competitive bidding, and weak internal controls; members questioned the district’s practices and deferred the report to June while requesting district representatives appear. The committee also reviewed a statewide report on six regional solid waste management districts, with findings in Pulaski, Faulkner, and Benton counties and no findings in three others; that report was likewise deferred for Pulaski County questions. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion with Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting, water quality problems, grant-funded improvements, board notice practices, and the broader challenges facing rural water systems, after which the committee filed the report and adjourned.