Transcript Highlights:

• be able to additionally draw down the Title IV funds from FFPSA Part 1 prevention services once a claiming
• in Congress threaten to undo these vital resources and restrict future updates to only inflation adjustments

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance raised, we do ensure that when we provide that award to an applicant, they have the ability to claim
• national board standards report making specific changes to their instructional practice, including adjusting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen other states adjust policies to reflect today's needs and their consumers' needs, and we're
• our most remote and rural parts of the state, but also in our denser urban areas that need to have a claim

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you have a small estate, currently, in the code, it's not in excess of $25,000, and such adjustments
• make that process simplified, both the process of distributing a small estate and the process of claiming

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you just filed a claim against all of them.
• It cuts across private claims for damage to immovable property.
• will ever make such a claim.
• can't bring that claim in this state.
• So you could still bring that claim.

Bills: SB480 , HB621 , HB637 , HB804 , HB841 , HB1056

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim. The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the extent necessary to reach the average recommended average claims caseload of 141 claims per claims
• This amendment is to allow L&I to hire additional claims managers.
• managers shouldn't have more than 141 claims each.
• This amendment would also ask that those claims managers, as we increase the number of claims managers
• You know, L&I tries really hard to take care of the medical claims.

Bills: HB2188 , HB2218 , HB2524 , HB2563

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, workers' compensation, medical care, healthcare access, employee rights, insurance coverage, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards, industry board, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing

Transcript Highlights:

• These errors include miscalculated miles, claiming ineligible meals, and math errors.
• for seven Retroactive pay adjustments for seven employees.
• seven employees who made some kind of mistake in their timesheet and received a retroactive pay adjustment
• </c> received a retroactive pay adjustment. received a retroactive pay adjustment.
• Um so these are leave adjustments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite not assisting with those claims, veterans aren't filing claims to get rich.
• claim, but they decided to do the claim on their own because they kind of saw the process.
• But the original claim cannot be, there cannot be a charge for the original claim. Thank you.
• , you cannot charge for that initial claim.
• But the original claim cannot be, there cannot be a charge for the original claim. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking, and heard six bills. AB 81 by Assemblymember Ta would require CalVet to study the mental health needs of women veterans; supporters from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, and behavioral health groups said women veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and suicide, while no opposition appeared. The bill was later passed 7-0 and re-referred to Appropriations. AB 826 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims, impose a civil penalty, and direct penalty revenue to veterans services and district attorneys. Supporters argued the bill would curb predatory “claim sharks” and protect veterans from exploitation, while opponents from private claims consulting firms and several veterans said the measure could restrict access to legitimate help and should be narrowed to target bad actors instead of banning paid assistance broadly. After extensive testimony and discussion about federal law, accreditation, and possible amendments, the committee passed the bill 8-0 and re-referred it to Judiciary. AB 556 by Assemblymember Patterson would clarify that campus-level mandatory fees are covered under the CalVet fee waiver for dependents of certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients. Supporters said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to veterans’ families, while concerns were raised about fiscal impacts on CSU campuses and the need for more precise cost estimates. The bill was passed 6-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its rules 7-0 and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 264, AB 1508, and AB 1509, all re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also talked about bringing on an external claims vendor to help...
• Bringing on an external claims vendor to help process claims was an important piece to help us get through
• the backlog of claims, and so that took a little bit of time.
• Resubmitted and then the claims are getting paid, right?
• of the different portals that they have to submit claims through.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why did the department not either pay their claim outright instead of litigating the claims for years
• /c><00:19:21.919><c> claims</c><00:19:22.240><c> for</c> instead of litigating the claims for instead
• of litigating the claims for years?
• claims, the Jardine<00:20:30.159><c> claim,</c><00:20:30.559><c> for</c><00:20:31.280><c> significantly
• </c><00:20:32.000><c> less</c> Jardine claim, for significantly less Jardine claim, for significantly

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward. The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments. HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• In preparing for my presentation this morning, I took a look at the claims and I talked to the Claims
• civil claims, Tort Claims Act, or Civil Rights Act claims.
• 1983 federal claims, Civil Rights Act claims, or any other type of claim that's brought against somebody
• On such a claim.
• The Federal Tort Claims Act and/or Section 1983 claims that you could bring against that person.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to the extent necessary to reach the average recommended average claims caseload of 141 claims per claims
• This amendment is to allow L&I to hire additional claims managers.
• managers shouldn't have more than 141 claims each.
• This amendment would also ask that those claims managers, as we increase the number of claims managers
• You know, L&I tries really hard to take care of the medical claims.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met to consider four bills, though House Bill 2563 was removed from consideration before action. HB 2188 would require L&I to publish more information about workers’ compensation premium rates and actuarial rate-setting. Members described it as a transparency measure, and it passed the committee 8-0 with one excused. The committee then took up HB 2218, dealing with access to medical care in the workers’ compensation system. The proposed substitute made several changes to provider-network rules, rural access standards, utilization review timelines, and continued treatment after claim closure. Representative Schmidt’s amendment to add more claims managers was adopted, while earlier amendments on inducement and treatment language were withdrawn. The substitute bill passed 6-2 with one excused, with supporters emphasizing rural access and faster care, and opponents raising concerns about the fiscal note and some inducement-related language. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board to set minimum employment standards for security guards and allow enforcement by L&I and, in the original bill, a private right of action. Amendment 236, making technical changes and delaying the board’s first meeting, was adopted, while Amendment 237 to remove the private right of action failed. The amended substitute passed 5-3 with one excused. Supporters said it would improve training, stability, and worker protections, while opponents cited cost concerns and argued it could interfere with existing compensation and bargaining arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• a potential claimant, filing claims, or having them file their own claims on their own behalf.
• a potential claim, by filing claims or having them file their own claims on their own behalf.
• , can really mess up the future of that claim.
• We can file a claim with a laptop right here.
• of dollars because the claim wasn't done properly.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• there's another claim that may go back to that they have not been improperly cashed and then claimed
• to verify claims, legitimize the claims, make sure they are legitimate. but then process them more expeditiously
• , the claims themselves are fairly recent.
• DGS and reserved for the next claims bill.
• That limits the number of claims that need to wait for the next claims bill.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the claims.
• It depends on the claims.
• It depends on the claims.
• It depends on the claims.
• It depends on the claims.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• and public nuisance claims.
• You could claim it under that as well.
• He said there were many other unlawful activities and claims, including DTPA claims and defective products
• “I believe she can bring a private nuisance claim.
• Claims. Is that what that section states?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• The claims process for the joint subcommittee on claims is a process for people to file claims against
• So what we see in the claims commission is typically people who it might be an exoneration claim, where
• There's one person, or we might see property claims or an injury claim, someone who's in a vocational
• for 6,500, or sorry, the exoneration claim was 65,000 and then the personal injury claim was 6,500.
• </c> the uh personal injury claim was 6500. the uh personal injury claim was 6500.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when you age-adjust it, it is the leading cause of updated or this part this piece of the updated
• So, when you age-adjust it, it is the leading cause of...
• The bill's passage would adjust licensure requirements in a manner consistent with empirical evidence
• to be a pro even if it's not claiming to be a licensed<05:35:58.400><c> professional</c><05:35:58.798
• Um so adjustment to that as well.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:30:18.159><c> to</c> bienium and so it they're hard to to bienium and so it they're hard to to adjust
• ><c> because</c><00:30:20.640><c> because</c><00:30:21.039><c> they</c><00:30:21.279><c> have</c> adjust
• Adjust the microphone. There you go. That's my uh philosophy.
• </c> A corresponding adjustment is made to the tax revenues that are directed to the education trust
• The counties have made a claim on it, saying that was really our money, even though there was no legal

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:23:58.120><c> they</c> geothermal explanation in fact they geothermal explanation in fact they claimed
• 23:59.360><c> by</c><00:23:59.520><c> speaking</c><00:23:59.840><c> to</c><00:24:00.080><c> 15</c> claimed
• that aoni by speaking to 15 claimed that aoni by speaking to 15 people<00:24:01.240><c> no</c><00:24
• In maintaining the statewide wildfire hazard map, the department shall make technical adjustments as
• as needed and update the map adjustments as needed and update the map consistent<03:22:42.199><c> with

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.