Transcript Highlights:

• But we are cognizant that city councils and county government need time to figure this out.
• We do not dictate what designs or what type of development any city or county will approve.
• The author mentioned there was nothing. There's nobody on the record.
• Ward: I just want to thank the author for reintroducing this bill.
• I'd be happy to be a co-author if you'll have me, and happy to move the bill, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Kazowski being the author. Kazowski being the author.
• Louis County.
• Louis County. And if you could from St. Louis County.
• Louis County.
• </c> next, even with work authorization. next, even with work authorization.

Bills: HF3403, HF3410, HF3424

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, eviction, rent, redemption

Transcript Highlights:

• in Yuba County.
• Members, this is for co-authors. All members vote who desire to vote.
• Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes, there are 66 co-authors.
• I had a question for the author.
• counties. the state, one of them for many years.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County Rural Assistance Program and $20 million for the Small County Outreach Program.
• Is that for all 67 counties, or do some of the counties have it now and some of the counties do not?
• , and rural counties.
• But when it says in a county where the Seminole Tribe operates two or more casinos in the same county
• county was telling the tax collector, no, you don't have any authority to do that.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, last week we lost longtime Lee County Judge and Members, last week we lost longtime Lee County
• Let me just say, I'm from Orange County.
• In Palm Beach County, every piece of property is owned by the School Board of Palm Beach County, the
• They can be under Charlotte County School District, School District of Charlotte County, multiple, multiple
• One such bill authorized the Board of Public Instruction, akin to the modern-day county school board,

Keywords: 998, house, all

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• </c> Facilities Bonding Authority, favorable. Facilities Bonding Authority, favorable.
• Bill is on second authority to prohibit.
• I believe he's left from Glen Burnie and Howard County.
• Sorry we didn't get a and Howard County.
• </c> Yes, uh Prince George's County Yes, uh Prince George's County delegation.<00:15:21.040><c> Uh</c

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The water authority is ABC at this point.
• Where is your authority to give such a waiver?
• I'm the Executive Director of the New Mexico Bioscience Authority.
• We were there until the Santa Fe County.
• I just have to give one last plug for Sandoval County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yakima County.
• I represent the 32nd District, which is North King County and South Snohomish County.
• Many issues that you heard from Yakima County are shared by Benton County.
• Many issues that you heard from Yakima County are shared by Benton County.
• Are shared by Benton County.

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5837, SB5855

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making

Transcript Highlights:

• of courthouse projects in Stanislaus County in the amount of $23,512,000 and in Riverside County for
• I think the question was: did you have the authority, and did the Legislature give you the authority
• County have lost Medi-Cal coverage.
• County have lost Medi-Cal coverage.
• Ryan Moore, with the California State Association of Counties, representing all 58 counties.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of that funding ends up in King County, and King County ends up being a support for and kind of
• Snohomish County supports this bill, 5872. Thank you. Snohomish County supports this bill, 5872.
• Snohomish County is a child care desert.
• Snowhomish County supports this bill, 5872.
• Stamish County is a child care desert.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out Senate Bill 905 and recognizes its author.
• Bend County.
• I am a resident of Texas in Tarrant County, and I am currently the Tarrant County Sheriff and the adopted
• This bill, the House author is Representative Lacey.
• Author Senator Hughes to explain the bill.

Bills: HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001, HB136

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorizes cities to ban certain classes of vehicles from using the toll roads.
• I'm proudly serving as the Travis County Judge.
• So, Travis County and Bear County and that kind of region today have something like 5 million people
• Uh, specifically, uh, in Cameron County and Hidalgo Counties, a $10 increase resulted in about 6.5 $billion
• I serve as the county engineer and director of public works for Bear County, and I'm here to speak in

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from Crawford County will record his vote. Stafford County will record his vote.
• Does the gentleman from Johnson County yield an inquiry from the gentleman from St. Louis County?
• We will now traverse over to the county of Jackson County for recognition. Lady from Jackson.
• Louis County yield to an inquiry from the gentleman from Boone County? I proceed, representatives.
• Louis County yield to an inquiry from the gentleman from Boone County? I proceed, representatives.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not seeking additional General Fund authority for those additional positions.
• We don't have any concerns on the position authority request before you.
• We don't have any concerns on the position authority request before you.
• “Historically, you used a fraction of authorized administrative allowance.
• Ryan Moore, Muni, with the California State Association of Counties, representing all 58 counties.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the Board of State and Community Corrections on its budget change proposal for 11 additional permanent positions, which BSCC said are needed to manage a rapidly expanded grant workload, increase technical assistance, and strengthen oversight and audits. BSCC also updated members on its new In Custody Death Review Division, created under SB 519, reporting that it has begun collecting and reviewing local jail death investigations, has hired about one-third of its staff, and has received access to medical records and related documents. Members raised concerns about family notification practices, local jail deaths, and whether BSCC’s increased administrative use would reduce grant dollars; BSCC said the change is intended to be permanent but should not substantially affect local assistance. The LAO supported the position authority request but flagged a methodological issue in the administration’s Proposition 47 savings estimate, and Finance said it would update the estimate by May Revision. The committee then reviewed CDCR’s overall budget, population, and facility issues. The Secretary said the incarcerated population is holding around 90,000, parole around 33,000, and described major cost pressures from retirements, workers’ compensation, medical transport, violence, and aging infrastructure lacking air conditioning and ADA features. He defended prison closures as creating overcrowding and reducing programming capacity, while also highlighting successes such as declining recidivism, expanded college and reentry programming, and the completion of the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Members pressed CDCR on fiscal discipline, the effect of closures on savings, community impacts from prison shutdowns, vacancy and staffing issues, and climate-related facility needs. CDCR said it clusters medically vulnerable and ADA-needing populations at more suitable facilities, uses heat plans and temperature monitoring, and is developing a 20-year infrastructure plan. A separate item addressed CDCR’s request for $91 million ongoing for lump-sum leave payouts for correctional officers and nurses. CDCR said these costs have historically been covered by vacancy savings, but declining vacancies and facility closures have reduced that source. The LAO said the funding is reasonable in the near term but recommended limited-term approval with reporting, and urged the Legislature to scrutinize unallocated savings assumptions and the ongoing Boston Consulting Group efficiency contract. Finance argued the lump-sum request should be ongoing because the costs are recurring and vacancy savings are less reliable. Members questioned whether CDCR is doing enough to reduce leave liability and whether the department will actually achieve the budgeted savings from the consultant work. Finally, CDCR presented updated population projections through June 2030, estimating a 6.5 percent decline in the institution population and a 10.4 percent decline in parole, while revising its Proposition 36 methodology based on actual admissions data. CDCR said Prop. 36 admissions are increasing but at a lower level than previously projected, and that the law’s long-term effects remain uncertain. On the California Rehabilitation Center closure, CDCR projected about $99.6 million in net General Fund savings next year and roughly $150 million ongoing, with 522 positions eliminated. The LAO said the state could close another prison within a few years and identified the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad as a strong candidate, recommending against approving new capital projects there unless another closure is identified. Finance said the administration has not proposed any additional closure at this time.

Transcript Highlights:

• than just monitor and put pressure on the local counties to do something?
• County Department of Public Health or the county? Or is it for community members, organizations?
• County and Riverside County LEAs are struggling to address the current subsurface elevated temperature
• County Department of Public Health, they need to do a better job.
• County Department of Public Health, has not been responding.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator McLean, I have one of the largest counties in the state, Broward, and our county administrator
• counties as well?
• I have one of the largest counties in the state, which is Broward, and our county administrator had expressed
• counties as well?
• This includes boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities of counties, municipalities, corporations

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized bipartisan work on education, health care, the environment, and family issues. The chamber also recognized military leaders, an intern, and guests connected to later bills. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start of the session. The Senate then took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion substitutions and technical amendments. Major measures included the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which passed 36-0; a local government land regulation bill that was amended after questions about quasi-judicial hearings, impact fees, and county costs, then passed 26-8; a vessels/boating bill that incorporated related legislation and passed 35-0; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which passed 36-0; a fleeing or eluding law enforcement bill, amended to remove vehicle impoundment in the House version, which passed 36-0; a concealed carry/firearms bill for certain law enforcement and military personnel, which passed 33-3; and a timeshare management bill, which passed 36-0. The chamber also passed a disability history and awareness instruction bill, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, after extensive debate about language and the meaning of disability versus “unique abilities”; it received 35 co-sponsors and passed 35-0. Other bills passed included manufacturing and related fee legislation, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, mammogram coverage, Parkinson’s disease, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County draw their drinking water from.
• But I actually have a message to my Taney County commissioners because this is in their county, just
• I actually have a message to my Taney County commissioners because this is in their county, just to kind
• That's why I reached out to my county county commissioner. I was like, what's going on with this?
• Shelby County sits in our solid waste region. They have a total county population of 6,100 people.

Summary: The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s experience with contamination near an old landfill in Franklin County and said the bill was intended to give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority to investigate and remediate such sites, create a funding stream by redirecting 10% of solid waste tipping fees, establish an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements for properties with abandoned landfills. He argued the state has 29 such sites, that the issue has been ignored for decades, and that environmental studies are the necessary first step before cleanup and possible grant applications. Support came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Grosoccoe, who said the bill would provide the regulatory framework and stable funding needed to move forward, noting that even about $1 million annually would likely fund only a few studies per year but would reduce uncertainty and help identify cleanup costs and future land use options. She emphasized that studies can unlock additional funding and eventual redevelopment benefits. In opposition, Solid Waste Advisory Board chair Chris Bussin and Mark Solid Waste District program manager Diana Bryant argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste work, that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would significantly reduce local program funding, and that DNR already has authority to address landfill issues. They also questioned the accuracy of the abandoned landfill list and warned that cuts could harm existing services. A county commissioner testifying for information purposes echoed concerns about impacts on small communities and local grant-funded recycling programs. No vote was taken, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• to... ...requires the Parkway's authority to read every plate.
• I think we heard from Parkway Authority that even though this amendment would not require them to look
• Samuel, Chief Financial Officer for the Parkways Authority. Welcome back, Samuel.
• So how do you let the Parkways Authority know you're going to drive your wife's car?
• In addition, the bill authorizes penalties not more than twice those authorized for the applicable offense

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• onboarded into our system, including Bexar County, a large county.
• So I'm speaking on behalf of all counties, not just Hays County.
• And Collin County is a very well-run county.
• county.
• the county.

Summary: The House Committee on Elections met for an interim hearing focused on Charge 3, voter registration, with no legislative action taken. The Secretary of State’s office, represented by Christina Atkins, gave a detailed overview of the new statewide TEAM voter registration and election management system, its July 2025 rollout, and the disruption caused when a third-party vendor serving 24 counties collapsed. She said 11 counties had to be rapidly onboarded into TEAM at a state cost of about $660,000 to keep elections running, and that the office also had to pause development to handle mid-decade congressional redistricting affecting 73 counties. Atkins said the office is now working on reporting improvements, data alignment with offline counties, ballot-by-mail and jury modules, military and overseas ballot delivery, intelligent mail barcoding, and GIS-based redistricting tools. Members pressed Atkins on TEAM’s performance, data discrepancies, and the state’s use of the federal SAVE database to screen voter rolls for possible non-citizens. She said SAVE identified a little over 2,700 potential non-citizen records out of more than 18 million, that counties review and send notices before any cancellation, and that some discrepancies were later checked against DPS records. Several members raised concerns about possible disenfranchisement, the accuracy of the data, and whether counties should be required to report more detail about notices and cancellations. Atkins said the Secretary of State can request more information from counties but does not have authority to act directly on voter registration records. The committee also heard from Jennifer Doynoff of the Texas Association of County Election Officials, who said counties support modernization but continue to face persistent TEAM problems, including delays in processing registrations and difficulty generating required reports. Her group recommended a detailed public timeline for TEAM fixes before the November 2026 election, a freeze on non-critical updates before voting begins, and a technical support dashboard to track tickets and releases. Members also discussed communication gaps between counties, the Secretary of State, and the vendor, with county officials saying clearer timelines and better coordination are needed to reduce confusion and improve confidence in the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, we'd been working with Clay County, and Clay County wanted to be a part of this program
• The next item is additional federal authority. The next item is additional federal authority.
• This is CHIP transfer authority.
• This is authority for the same grant.
• This is authority for, if the claims would be coming in that they needed to pay, this would be authority

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.