Transcript Highlights:

• So in the 27 budget of the governor, he has tax conformity built in there.
• So we've seen the revenue projection that the governor had...
• Up next, we have another vote, a gubernatorial appointment on...
• the appointment be confirmed by the Senate.
• I move that we send the gubernatorial appointment of Dr.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• for appointment to the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
• for appointment to the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
• appointment position for the same role on March 25.
• I would like to thank Governor Newsom for the appointment to the position.
• We're going to return to governor appointees required to appear, and that is item 1B, the appointment

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair also appoints the following committee.
• The Chair also appoints the following committee to notify Governor Sanders that the House is in session
• Madam Lieutenant Governor, you are recognized. Madam Lieutenant Governor, you are recognized.
• The Speaker appoints the following representatives as the committee to escort Governor Sarah Huckabee
• Speaker appoints the following representatives as the Committee from the House to Escort Governor Sarah

Summary: The transcript covers the opening of the Arkansas House and a joint session of the 95th General Assembly’s fiscal session. The House first established a quorum, granted leave for absent members, recognized guests, and adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session with the Senate for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address. Several bills and resolutions were read for the record, including House Resolution 1002 and House Bills 1001, 102, and 103, before the House recessed to await the Senate and then the governor. In the joint session, leaders recognized the late Representative Stan Barry with a moment of silence, introduced constitutional officers, judges, and other guests, and appointed committees to escort the governor. Governor Sanders then delivered a lengthy fiscal-session address focused on her budget priorities and policy agenda. She emphasized continued funding for education under LEARNS, teacher pay and literacy gains, public safety and law enforcement funding, government efficiency and tax cuts, and the 1033 initiative aimed at helping vulnerable Arkansans move from crisis to self-sufficiency. She also urged lawmakers to avoid new Medicaid mandates or ongoing spending and said she would call a special session to cut income taxes further if the budget is passed. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session adjourned. The House then reconvened briefly, adopted a motion to adjourn until the next day, and announced that the Joint Budget Committee would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start with tab number one, the confirmation hearing for appointments.
• Take up tab one: appointment of Rodney Barreto, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• I was originally appointed by Governor Bush, reappointed by Governor Chris, twice appointed by Governor
• It's the governor giving patronage. I'm not talking about Democrats or Republicans.
• Thirdly, his repeated appointments highlight a troubling pattern of political favoritism.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to consider confirmation appointments, beginning with Rodney Barreto’s reappointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Barreto described his background and defended his record, saying the commission has expanded public access, conserved land, supported youth conservation programs, and maintained strong law enforcement and wildlife management. Senators questioned him about public opposition to his confirmation, his role in supporting Amendment 2, a proposed use of submerged land near Singer Island, the Split Oak land swap, and whether FWC may reopen a bear hunt. Barreto said he saw no conflict in his Amendment 2 involvement, denied that any condo application existed for the Singer Island property, defended the Split Oak deal as a conservation and land-acquisition tradeoff, and said bear-hunt options would be presented later by staff and biologists. Several members of the public spoke against Barreto’s reconfirmation, arguing that FWC needs reform, term limits, and more scientific leadership, and criticizing his real estate and lobbying ties as conflicts of interest. Speakers also objected to his positions on development, habitat protection, trap use, herbicide spraying, and the handling of bear management and public notice at FWC meetings. Senator Avila spoke in strong support of Barreto, citing FWC’s role in Biscayne Bay restoration, juvenile redfish releases, invasive species control, and community involvement. The committee then voted to recommend Barreto’s confirmation favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next considered tabs 2 and 3, the reappointments of Kathy Chapman and Michael Kennedy to the Florida Inland Navigation District. With no separate vote requested and no public opposition, the committee recommended both confirmations favorably by voice roll call. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:42.439><c> walls</c> government Democrats and Governor walls government Democrats and Governor
• The governor came out with his budget yesterday.
• </c><00:25:55.880><c> Wall's</c> anything else referen Governor Wall's anything else referen Governor
• governor came out with his idea so I'm governor came out with his idea so I'm I'm<00:26:49.480><c> wondering
• just</c> I'm wondering if the governor just I'm wondering if the governor just decided<00:26:50.840><

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint committee has gone before the Senate Governor.
• Thank you to the former governors who are joining us here tonight, Governor Weld and Governor Michael
• And that's why I'm so proud to be your governor.
• Last year, I was the first governor here to cap Here in Massachusetts, last year, I was the first governor
• I have a portrait of a former governor, Samuel Adams.

Summary: The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker. Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media. The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:23.600><c> on</c> executive officers from the governor on executive officers from the governor
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.

Committee: House State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2020 by Governor DeSantis and then reappointed in August
• And thanks to Governor DeSantis for making that happen.
• And thanks to Governor DeSantis for making that happen.
• that was given to me in 2023 by Governor DeSantis.
• I've been appointed by four governors. This is my seventh appointment.

Bills: S0720 , S1246

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record. The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the governor gets to pick whomever they want.
• So we really like the idea of a nominating commission that allows the governor, whichever governor it
• , it's a handful of people making the appointments.
• Governors, majority leaders, and pro tems make a handful of people making the appointments, and governors
• What if the governor does not like either of the names?

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306 , HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• I was appointed by Governor Scott to be sheriff from Marion County when they had a problem down there
• In 2023, Governor DeSantis appointed me to be sheriff there to fix some problems at that organization
• I was appointed by the Board of Governors in 2019 and confirmed by the Senate then and have served since
• I was appointed by the Board of Governors in 2019 and confirmed by the Senate then, and have served since
• In public service, I was twice appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve as a commissioner of the Health

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would like to open the hearing on Senate Gubernatorial Appointment 9291.
• that the appointment be confirmed.
• that the appointment be confirmed as the Secretary of Health.
• that the appointment be confirmed as the Secretary of Health.
• The proposed substitute adds the chair of the exchange, who is appointed by the governor, as a voting

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held confirmation hearings for Ryan Moran to lead the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham to serve as Secretary of Health. Moran emphasized his personal background, experience in Maryland Medicaid, and priorities of protecting coverage amid federal changes, addressing health disparities, strengthening tribal partnerships, and improving agency operations. Worsham described his long public health career in Washington, his statewide listening tour, and his focus on collaboration, science-based decision-making, accountability, workforce support, and rebuilding public trust. Senators raised questions about behavioral health, social determinants of health, communication, misinformation, and the impact of federal policy changes; both nominees said Washington should continue leading on coverage, prevention, and public health resilience. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed SB 5899, allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on animals; SB 6292, creating a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing with a substitute; SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program, after rejecting several Christian-sponsored amendments and adopting a Bateman amendment limiting eligible organizations to DOH-contracted abortion providers or funds; SB 5947, creating the Washington Health Care Board; SJR 8206, proposing a constitutional right to affordable health care; and SB 5933, on overdose mapping information sharing, with a substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of both gubernatorial appointments. In a second group of bills, the committee passed SB 5823 on patient advocates with a substitute requiring at least one person physically present daily in acute care settings and expanding exemptions for certain hospitals; SB 6210 on the health plan certification process with a substitute; SB 5921 on psilocybin; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy with a substitute; and SB 5924 expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority with a substitute. Members discussed access, affordability, rural workforce shortages, and patient safety, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a limitation on the appointments? I don't know.
• but I haven't put one appointment on this phone since I had it. appointment on this phone since I had
• So, this would come out the general appointments to a to a general appointments to a institution.
• her. or the governor would not have reappointed her.
• relative to the... um, relative to the appointment.

Bills: SJR 12 , SJR 81 , SB 22 , SB 32 , SB 241 , SB 393 , SB 414 , SB 458 , SB 464 , SB 568 , SB 583 , SB 609 , SB 660 , SB 664 , SB 693 , SB 731 , SB 732 , SB 746 , SB 779 , SB 783 , SB 785 , SB 868 , SB 897 , SB 921 , SB 955 , SB 1008 , SB 1029 , SB 1036 , SB 1057 , SB 1059 , SB 1120 , SB 1122 , SB 1147 , SB 1163 , SB 1188 , SB 1197 , SB 1209 , SB 1245 , SB 1321 , SB 1332 , SB 1365 , SB 1394 , SB 1396 , SB 1470 , SB 1484 , SB 1494 , SB 1537 , SB 1596 , SB 1598 , SB 1637 , SB 1644 , SB 1809 , SB 1814 , SB 1822 , SB 1841 , SB 1948 , SB 2064 , SB 2065 , SB 2112 , SB 2155 , SB 2226 , SB 2320 , SB 2406 , SJR 36 , SJR 81 , SJR 50 , SJR 4 , SJR 40 , SJR 27 , SCR 22 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 38 , SCR 37 , SB 1396 , SB 1209 , SB 765 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 847 , SB 1248 , SB 504 , SB 305 , SB 296 , SB 284 , SB 241 , SB 304 , SB 1023 , SB 204 , SB 609 , SB 670 , SB 850 , SB 854 , SB 413 , SB 1346 , SB 1033 , SB 1220 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1539 , SB 447 , SB 1119 , SB 1505 , SB 1215 , SB 1302 , SB 583 , SB 673 , SB 681 , SB 1172 , SB 955 , SB 957 , SB 541 , SB 266 , SB 1415 , SB 53 , SB 1352 , SB 785 , SB 1450 , SB 1502 , SB 1566 , SB 1062 , SB 711 , SB 746 , SB 1404 , SB 1448 , SB 507 , SB 1026 , SB 1349 , SB 1355 , SB 1433 , SB 1434 , SB 1596 , SB 1403 , SB 667 , SB 1059 , SB 1567 , SB 310 , SB 311 , SB 505 , SB 1210 , SB 1470 , SB 264 , SB 1358 , SB 1364 , SB 1569 , SB 1376 , SB 1228 , SB 519 , SB 1350 , SB 462 , SB 827 , SB 1585 , SB 1484 , SB 1273 , SB 927 , SB 1227 , SB 1229 , SB 1353 , SB 1464 , SB 1709 , SB 1729 , SB 1733 , SB 1744 , SB 1772 , SB 1841 , SB 1147 , SB 1008 , SB 2016 , SB 1173 , SB 1163 , SB 996 , SB 1370 , SB 1321 , SB 1101 , SB 860 , SB 993 , SB 693 , SB 1537 , SB 1332 , SB 1307 , SB 963 , SB 493 , SB 984 , SB 619 , SB 1122 , SB 455 , SB 522 , SB 1057 , SB 1239 , SB 1254 , SB 1255 , SB 1259 , SB 1341 , SB 1877 , SB 1277 , SB 32 , SB 732 , SB 660 , SB 731 , SB 921 , SB 268 , SB 1822 , SB 1589 , SB 397 , SB 1058 , SB 1267 , SB 2112 , SB 1930 , SB 532 , SB 2155 , SB 508 , SB 292 , SB 291 , SB 901 , SB 1333 , SB 1436 , SB 1494 , SB 964 , SB 779 , SB 1378 , SB 2312 , SB 1719 , SB 287 , SB 2143 , SB 1245 , SB 261 , SB 1247 , SB 1948 , SB 2406 , SB 2407 , SB 1882 , SB 1814 , SB 618 , SB 38 , SB 393 , SB 1371 , SB 1394 , SB 1365 , SB 2243 , SB 2226 , SB 2039 , SB 1919 , SB 1895 , SB 1598 , SB 1493 , SB 1810 , SB 1791 , SB 1706 , SB 1644 , SB 1238 , SB 783 , SB 458 , SB 22 , SB 651 , SB 897 , SB 1809 , SB 1080 , SB 745 , SB 826 , SB 989 , SB 1320 , SB 1437 , SB 2320 , SB 2289 , SB 1171 , SB 664 , SB 1637 , SB 2064 , SB 868 , SB 1079 , SB 1243 , SB 1504 , SB 1851 , SB 1879 , SB 2237 , SB 1257 , SB 2034 , SB 1522 , SB 883 , SB 249 , SB 1318 , SB 1151 , SB 596 , SB 1191 , SB 226 , SB 570 , SB 870 , SB 991 , SB 60 , SB 365 , SB 1067 , SB 1786 , SB 326 , SB 1401 , SB 1592 , SB 1728 , SB 1265 , SB 586 , SB 529 , SB 217 , SB 209 , SB 1923 , SB 1559 , SB 1839 , SB 387 , SB 1874 , SB 1872 , SB 1873 , SB 1921 , SB 1883 , SB 1677 , SB 95 , SB 1620 , SB 1838 , SB 2024 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 2166 , SB 871 , SB 510 , SB 33 , SB 2420 , SB 1860 , SB 1541 , SB 1316 , SB 1314 , SB 1313 , SB 1426 , SB 1398 , SB 1869 , SB 1750 , SB 1871 , SB 36 , SB 855 , SB 1233 , SB 760 , SB 2425 , SB 2037 , SB 1758 , SB 1759 , SB 2365 , SB 1924 , SB 762 , SB 1271 , SB 1818 , SB 605 , SB 1405 , SB 1762 , SB 1968 , SB 1977 , SB 2077 , SB 2148 , SB 2321 , SB 1967 , SB 1662 , SB 1663 , SB 2124 , SB 2204 , SB 1855 , SB 863 , SB 37 , SB 241 , SB 1147 , SB 1394 , SB 1814 , SB 1948 , SB 2155 , SB 1209 , SB 1396 , SB 609 , SB 660 , SB 921 , SR 373 , SR 374 , SR 376 , SR 377 , SR 379 , SR 381 , SR 386 , SB 2332 , SB 3040 , SB 3041 , SB 2332 , SB 3040 , SB 3041

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, that appointment is approved.
• I'd also like to thank Governor Newsom for my appointment and Secretary Maduro for his support throughout
• So we will take public comments on this appointment.
• I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom, and grateful to the committee.
• I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom and grateful to the committee for considering my nomination

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and routine committee actions. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, appointments to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, the appointment of Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, a reference of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Members then heard testimony from Trista Gonzalez, nominee to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, who described her long career in tax administration, efforts to improve taxpayer compliance and service, readiness for the state’s lithium extraction tax, and the department’s work on online sales tax, cannabis, and tobacco enforcement. Senators asked about responsiveness to legislators, small business support, accountability, and enforcement; public commenters from tax and accounting groups supported her nomination. Her appointment advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, nominee to lead the Board of State and Community Corrections. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention-facility inspections, large grant programs for violence intervention and reentry, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audit transparency, statutory authority for in-custody death reviews, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, site visits, audits, and compliance reviews to reduce fraud and ensure grant funds are used appropriately, and that trailer bill language had clarified access to records for death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in some juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with counties and the courts to improve conditions. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. His appointment also advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That appointment is approved, 5 to 0.
• I'd also like to thank Governor Newsom for my appointment and Secretary Maduro for his support throughout
• So we will take public comments on this appointment.
• I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom, and grateful to the committee.
• I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom and grateful to the committee for considering my nomination

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by 5-0 vote, before moving to appointments required to appear. Trista Gonzalez, nominated to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, testified about her 33-year career in tax administration and emphasized taxpayer service, efficiency, and team culture. Members asked about responsiveness to legislators, the lithium extraction tax, online sales tax compliance after Wayfair, and enforcement against illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Gonzalez said the department is ready for the lithium tax, works to register businesses meeting the $500,000 threshold, and coordinates with law enforcement on inspections and seizures. Public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. Aaron McGuire, nominated as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, described his experience at the agency and its expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, major grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Senators questioned him about grant oversight, fraud prevention, public access to audits, implementation of SB 519, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, reporting, site visits, audits, and recovery actions to monitor grants, and that trailer bill language has clarified access to records for in-custody death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with the courts and local officials. Supporters from Amity Foundation, Health Right 360, Westcare, and Giffords testified in favor, and the committee approved his nomination 5-0 to advance to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Business on the President's desk: communications from the Governor, executive nominations.
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment recommendation board: Richard B. Williams.
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment recommendation board: Richard B. Williams.
• Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 transmitted to the Governor. Committee announcements. Mr.
• The Secretary is instructed to notify the Governor and the Secretary of State of the confirmations.

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jamie Green.
• President Kouchi, Speaker Nakamura, Governor Green and First Lady Jaime Green, Lieutenant Governor Luke
• Governor Green, Lieutenant Governor Luke, esteemed colleagues, and honored guests, it is my honor to
• Governor<00:55:25.319><c> green</c><00:55:26.440><c> lieutenant</c><00:55:26.960><c> governor</c><00:
• 55:27.319><c> Luke</c> Governor green lieutenant governor Luke Governor green lieutenant governor Luke

Transcript Highlights:

• So please make lieutenant governor.
• member of the board of governors of the NCAA, Dr.
• member of the board of governors of the NCAA, Dr.
• member of the board of governors of NCAA, Dr.
• </c> the board of governors of NCAA, Dr. the board of governors of NCAA, Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're actually, we go through a nominating commission, and then we go to the governor for appointment
• The Certification Board is appointed by the Governor with... consent of the Senate.
• The Governor makes all the appointments, and it includes a district court judge who chairs the board,
• appoints perhaps four, and, you know, the rest of us appoint the others?
• So I'm like Senator Stewart; I don't understand why the governor has not seen fit to appoint this board

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• appointment of Callie Younger, appointed as the Administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources
• Messages from the Governor. The Senate is at the eighth order. March 2, 2006. Governor.
• These appointments are submitted to confirmation by the Senate, and notice of appointments is hereby
• These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate, and notice of appointments is hereby given
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho.

Transcript Highlights:

• or of a governor-appointed council of defense.
• He said he really does not know who the governor would appoint.
• The governor shall appoint a Wyoming State Council of Defense.
• The senator said he really does not know who the governor would appoint.
• The governor shall appoint a Wyoming State Council of Defense.

Bills: HB0122 , SF0004 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067 , SF0070 , SF0124

Committee: House Appropriations