Transcript Highlights:

• this was the subject of legislative directive in Assembly Bill 379 last year, which I was the lead author
• However, DOJ currently lacks appropriation authority to distribute these funds to victims.
• However, DOJ currently lacks appropriation authority to distribute these funds to victims.
• To address this, you could approve provisional language that would allow the appropriation authority
• These guards should be—CDCR should be grateful right now that nobody is suing for failure to protect.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It turned out that the Senate secretary was the most knowledgeable authority on the rules, procedures
• Can the honor guard please reassemble?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out House Bill 2638 and recognizes the author, Representative Schaffer. Thank you.
• He served for eight years in the Panola County Sheriff's Office and the Army National Guard.

Bills: HCR114, HB137, HB283, HB1398, HB1960, HB2153, HB2431, HB2638, HB2699, HB2999, HB3208, HB3389, HB3413, HB3510, HB3642, HB3859, HB3974, HB3986, HB4142, HB4173, HB4174, HB4542, HB4605, HB4663, HB4731, HB5064, HB5216, HB5218, HB5332, HB5453, HB5577, HB137, HB283

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't mean to catch you off guard here, but from what I understand, the state would actually have a
• or or extended the SALT cap authorized or or extended the SALT cap limitation,<00:03:04.480><c> that
• </c><00:05:00.080><c> here,</c><00:05:00.240><c> but</c> mean to catch you off guard here, but mean to
• catch you off guard here, but from<00:05:01.360><c> what</c><00:05:01.480><c> I</c><00:05:01.520><c>
• uh</c><01:03:50.680><c> Senator</c> Your uh Senate author uh Senator Your uh Senate author uh Senator

Bills: HF3127, HF3524, HF3525, HF3754

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, overtime compensation, tax deduction, income tax, federal regulations, tax reform, tip income, federal tax deduction, Minnesota Statutes, individual income, employer contributions, Trump accounts, federal law, gross income exclusion, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:48.560><c> civil</c> was a critic edit scholar author civil was a critic edit scholar author
• </c> authors from generations to the present. authors from generations to the present.
• ><c> civil</c><00:38:12.240><c> rights</c> Author, poet, act, actress, civil rights Author, poet, act
• It takes some authority away from that Sunset Committee.
• It takes some authority away from that Sunset Committee.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lori authoring this bill.
• They acknowledge<00:16:03.440><c> that</c><00:16:03.600><c> the</c><00:16:03.839><c> authorization</c
• ><00:16:04.480><c> of</c> acknowledge that the authorization of acknowledge that the authorization of
• </c> remaining phalates authorized for use. remaining phalates authorized for use.
• :39.600><c> resource</c><01:32:40.639><c> uh</c> guard that trout stream resource uh guard that trout

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rail Authority.
• They've given that authority to move this forward.
• But we would, as a legislature, have to give you that authority.
• And I think we heard about that from the authority.
• This is the fourth annual report of the authority I have reviewed.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, loss of federal funds, renewed interest in private financing and value capture, and proposed adjustments to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. He also raised concerns about statutory compliance, transparency, and whether the draft plan fully reflects required elements and true costs and timelines. Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project has made substantial construction progress in the Central Valley and is moving toward track installation, with the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding providing a stable base. He argued the plan uses design optimization, direct procurement of materials, and revised sequencing to reduce costs and support an early operating segment by about 2032-33. He also promoted broader commercialization of the corridor through real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and public-private partnerships, saying private sector interest is now real. Several senators pressed him on station locations, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, permitting delays, transparency, and whether the project can realistically reach Los Angeles and San Francisco on the current timeline and budget. The LAO and Inspector General were more skeptical. LAO analyst Helen Kirstine said the draft plan assumes major scope changes, including a shorter segment, a Merced station outside downtown, more single-tracking, and several statutory changes that have not yet been enacted. She warned that the plan may not comply with recent legislative requirements, that funding may still be insufficient even for the reduced segment, and that borrowing against future cap-and-invest revenues is risky because those revenues are uncertain and volatile. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan fails to comply with newer statutory requirements, especially regarding the Merced-to-Bakersfield scope, the funding plan, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the presentation obscures cost increases and schedule delays and limits the Legislature’s ability to compare current estimates with prior reports. Committee members generally supported continued oversight and some form of project delivery reform, but several expressed concern that the plan relies on legislative changes that have not been approved and on private financing that may not materialize. Chaudhry said the authority would address the Inspector General’s findings in the final business plan and continue to pursue federal grants, private capital, and corridor commercialization. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows authorization of continued treatment for workers with closed permanent partial disability claims
• Finally, the bill does not include the previously adopted amendment authorizing L&I to hire additional
• At this time, I'm authorized to speak on behalf of all of the chapters.
• I'm authorized to speak on behalf of all of them.
• Contractors will have to guard against this uncertainty in bids, and some contractors, particularly small

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5874, staff and Senator McEwen described a proposal to let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor quarterly reporting errors by employers, especially inadvertent electronic filing issues involving occupational codes and job titles. No one testified in opposition, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical providers, allow medically appropriate departures from L&I treatment rules, prohibit employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and set timelines for utilization review. Supporters, including workers’ advocates and union representatives, said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and raised concerns about costs and claim duration. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that the fiscal note was still being updated. A previously adopted claims-manager staffing amendment was discussed but not included in the version heard. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, the committee heard testimony on requiring public works contracts to update prevailing wage rates annually rather than freezing them at bid time. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting workers from wage erosion on long projects, while contractor groups opposed it unless amended to allow change orders for wage increases above 5 percent, citing unpredictable jumps in prevailing wage rates and added risk for small contractors. L&I requested a delayed effective date to July 1, 2028 because of IT changes. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 5944, which would make missed or canceled appointment payments bargained economic compensation for language access providers, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population. Labor groups supported both bills; counties and a city representative opposed 5972 over cost concerns and asked for fiscal safeguards. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, which would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors are used for the same type of finishing work on a public works project. Labor and contractor groups both supported the amended version, saying it targets misclassification without banning legitimate independent contractors. The hearing ended after testimony, with no votes or final committee actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• GUARDS ARE JOINING, I SOUGHT CYBER AS MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY.
• AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, WE ENCOURAGE LAWMAKERS TO LEVERAGE EXISTING AUTHORITIES UNDER STATE LAW THAT ALREADY
• ONLY INTRODUCING NEW AUTHORITY SPECIFIC TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WHEN THERE IS A CLEAR AI SPECIFIC
• WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO MORE, THAT WOULD BE UP TO YOU ALL AS LEGISLATORS. >> Rep
• TO REQUIRE CURRENTLY, IT'S NOT THAT THE DEPARTMENT ALREADY HAS SUFFICIENT REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill outlines a process for state and local law enforcement authorities to coordinate on military
• If there are no questions for the bill, the author bill will be left pending. Chair hears none.
• Members, any questions for the bill author? Thank you, Chair.
• Members, any questions for the bill author? Thank you, sir.
• Members, are there any questions for the author? Hearing none, there's no...

Bills: HCR92, HB 114, HB561, HB 1171, HB1894, HB2026, HB2143, HB2337, HB2564, HB114

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, to be helpful to the author is the reason why I asked that question, and I'm sure the author will
• We thank the author.
• We'll come back now to the author. Yeah, so we'll come back now to the author in just a moment.
• I don't see any authors. And I...
• So please call the authors. Authors.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a large agenda of transportation-related bills, with several measures discussed before a quorum was established. AB 1588 focused on sideshows and street takeovers, with the author, San Francisco Police Department, and Streets Are for Everyone arguing the bill would modernize enforcement, add motorbikes and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and improve public safety; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2015 would require Caltrans to study the effects of third-party navigation apps on congestion, local streets, infrastructure, and emergency response, and was supported by Streets for All, AAA, and local agencies, with no opposition. AB 2717 would extend a sunset for off-site advertising displays at large sports venues; the Dodgers supported it, the San Jose Sharks and others noted amendments, and no opposition was heard. AB 1608 would strengthen the independence and transparency of the High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General by requiring public reports, adding confidentiality protections for sensitive security information, and granting staffing and purchasing authority; the First Amendment Coalition supported the amended bill, while the Vice Chair raised concerns about transparency and limiting confidential notices to committee chairs. The committee also heard AB 2346 on e-bike safety, which would require speedometers on Class 2 e-bikes, lights, a statewide sidewalk speed limit, local authority over bike-path speeds, and point-of-sale disclosures. Support came from medical, law enforcement, local government, and safety groups citing rising injuries and confusion over e-bike rules; PeopleForBikes remained opposed unless amended, mainly over lighting and disclosure requirements, though Streets for All withdrew its opposition after amendments. Members broadly supported the bill and discussed helmet use, youth safety, and the distinction between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos. AB 1919 would let Santa Cruz Metro place a citizens’ initiative on the ballot to secure transit funding and protect service and jobs; the sponsor, bus operators, and labor supported it, with no opposition testimony. AB 2012 would streamline permits for moving manufactured homes under an annual permit, and AB 2024 would clarify Outdoor Advertising Act permitting and relocation procedures; both drew support from industry and housing groups and no opposition. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the consent calendar, which included items 13, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, and 21, by roll call vote. The committee then heard AB 2484, which would allow San Diego voters to authorize a local transit tax initiative for MTS; the author and MTS argued it would preserve service and allow voters to decide future funding, and the bill advanced on a 5-2 roll call with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard AB 2560, which would codify the state transportation climate principles known as CAPTI; supporters said it would lock in goals for transit, rail, active transportation, equity, and greenhouse gas reduction, while Orange County Transportation Authority opposed. The author closed by asking for aye votes, and the committee proceeded toward roll-call action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• presentation is we have the title and then right underneath that, you know, what section gives... says the authority
• However, I want to bring it to your attention: currently, OCS Labs... lacks the authority to require,
• This graph shows you what happened during an event. period, and it was on the East Coast.
• So, that's everything from a fairly big system at the Water Utility Authority in Albuquerque to systems
• that I have in my house and many others have. systems at the Water Utility Authority in Albuquerque,

Transcript Highlights:

• The author, 30 seconds. The author cites amendments.
• I personally went to the author.
• The author noted, all debate. I encourage the author to speak with Mr. Ramos.
• And I appreciate the author.
• So I commend the author.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor file of bills. Early measures passed with little or no debate, including AB 698 on local transfer taxes and affordable housing analysis, AB 456 on mobile home sales, AB 1129 on reportable infant health conditions, AB 69 on Fair Plan insurance notices and voluntary market searches, AB 357 on expedited student and faculty housing permits, AB 383 on firearms code cleanups, AB 426 on drones interfering with emergency response, AB 825 on energy affordability and transmission financing, and AB 699 on ballot transparency for local tax and bond measures. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan margins, while AB 825 drew the most extended debate over whether it would lower costs or expand state control of energy infrastructure; it ultimately passed 45-5. The most contentious item was AB 84, which would strengthen oversight of non-classroom-based charter schools and tighten accountability for charter spending and operations. Supporters argued it was needed to stop fraud and misuse of public education dollars, citing major scandals and audit findings, while opponents warned it would harm legitimate charter schools, reduce educational options, and disproportionately affect rural and special-needs students. Several members said they supported the bill only to keep negotiations going, and others urged more targeted or delayed action. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the Assembly passed AB 84 on a 41-22 vote. The chamber also took up AB 610, a housing bill that would require cities and counties to disclose planned housing restrictions and limit new constraints for three years after housing element approval. The author framed it as a certainty and transparency measure to help address the state’s housing shortage, while noting continued discussions with local governments and housing advocates. The transcript ends with the bill’s presentation and request for an aye vote, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue funding the State Guard for another year for a total of $30 million.
• Like I said, the department has that authority to do so. So that would be a question for them.
• This conference report provides the statutory authority necessary to implement and execute...
• Authorizes University Board of Trustees subject to BOG approval to establish tuition for graduate and
• We still have the same authorities to hold them accountable.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coordinating multi-jurisdictional and major crime investigations with our local, state, and federal authorities
• As well as everyone being bold enough to allow us to activate the National Guard.
• So a question for you: how are we doing with the National Guard members, if you've got some of those
• stakeholders in the inmate health care arena for guidance, information, ideas like the correctional medical authority
• Medical authority, local universities, health care vendors who serve this population?

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice budget area and then received performance-measure presentations from the Department of Corrections, the Commission on Offender Review, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Staff reviewed the roughly $7.4 billion criminal justice and judiciary budget, noting major funding areas such as corrections, law enforcement, victim services, courts, and due process, along with recent investments in prison health care, security equipment, fentanyl enforcement, court staffing, and juvenile justice salaries and education programs. Secretary Dixon of the Department of Corrections described staffing and population pressures, including growth in inmate population, overtime-driven deficits, and the opening of additional housing units. He emphasized the department’s use of performance measures and highlighted reforms such as incentivized prisons, administrative management units, reentry planning, faith-based programs, and expanded education and vocational training. Members asked about teacher hiring, public defender pay parity, fentanyl funding, staffing capacity, and the role of the National Guard; Dixon said teacher vacancies had improved, public defenders had received comparable pay increases, fentanyl funding would be addressed further by FDLE, and the Guard had helped stabilize staffing. The Commission on Offender Review reported on parole, conditional release, addiction recovery supervision, and revocations, saying its recidivism/success rates had improved over a three-year measurement period. Senator Rouson pressed the commission on clemency and pardons, saying that work was omitted from the presentation and asking for backlog and case data; the commission said it did not have those figures on hand and would follow up. The committee also discussed a conditional medical release pilot study, and members questioned the report’s conclusion that no suitable elderly inmate population could be identified, asking what criteria were used and whether stakeholders were consulted. Secretary Hall of the Department of Juvenile Justice outlined the agency’s prevention-to-residential continuum and its emphasis on education, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based programming. He said salary increases had reduced vacancies, juvenile arrests and residential commitments had fallen sharply over time, and tools such as civil citations, risk assessments, and quality-improvement reviews were being used to guide placements and services. Hall also described the department’s use of dashboards, monthly data check-ins, and the dispositional matrix to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:12.159><c> And</c> license holder or authorized agent.
• And license holder or authorized agent.
• outside a daycare center. we stand guard outside a daycare center.
• </c><01:01:32.880><c> to</c> that they do not have the authority to that they do not have the authority
• It's Representative, uh, Sencer-Mura for bringing this, and I'm proud to co-author.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and the difference between authorized and the difference between authorized and<00:18:47.280><c>
• </c><00:44:43.520><c> in</c> we would like expanded Authority in we would like expanded Authority in
• </c><01:10:16.960><c> rather</c> treatment under this Authority rather treatment under this Authority
• </c> chapter 611 but DCT is not authorized chapter 611 but DCT is not authorized under<01:12:08.719><
• </c> child in the family um to authorize child in the family um to authorize services<01:20:39.760><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue funding the State Guard for another year for a total of $30 million.
• Like I said, the department has that authority to do so. So that would be a question for them.
• This conference report provides the statutory authority necessary to implement and execute the General
• It authorizes university boards of trustees, subject to BOG approval,...
• We still have the same authorities to hold them accountable.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll certainly be happy to referee because I can't guard any of you anymore.
• 4867A, and it is one that would prohibit insurers from imposing a first fail step therapy or prior authorization
• 4867 AND IT IS ONE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT INSURERS FROM IMPOSING A FIRST FAIL STEP THERAPY OR PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.

Transcript Highlights:

• As space is available, DCYF is authorized to enroll additional children in ECAP who do not meet the standard
• And also being home to Camp Murray, which serves our Washington National Guard.
• We thank the author, Joel Ryan, Katie Warren, and all others involved for the great leadership behind

Bills: HB2099, HB2317, HB2318, HB2350

Keywords: military families, early childhood education, access, assistance program, education equity, HB2317, early learning, child care licensing, day care, preschool, Head Start, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Washington State, RCW 43.216, child care center, family home provider, family child care, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care