Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it's clean energy programs or decarbonization programs or public transportation and so forth.
• It's for only the largest companies for the extreme events, not for small—like a small flood or a small
• fire—for large events. ...small, like a small flood or a small fire—for large events.
• The oil companies in California are a small portion... ...of that.
• Julian Voris, on behalf of the League of California Cities, in support.

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's the city I represent.
• We're having a fiscal crisis in my city, so I look at fiscal things all the time for the city. Rep.
• I really don't know anything about the city plan of New Orleans.
• I really don't know anything about the city plan of New Orleans.
• , school boards, small businesses.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar Garden Program.
• Program.
• Program.
• So the program is exceeding statutory goals.
• RENAMING THIS PROGRAM ISN'T SYMBOLIC.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Dolan: Because of small cities, we have limited income.
• We rely on city engineers and other city attorneys and other people, but being Brian Dolan: As small
• With us being a very small city, when Brian Dolan: I take it to my city engineer who also has 25 other
• We are a small city that has grown very rapidly.
• Small cities cannot possibly get plats approved in 30 days.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program that was a 40 credit program. program that was a 40 credit program.
• , the Hub Center has We have one program, the Hub Center has a<00:36:34.560><c> program.
• </c> a program. a program.
• </c> Cities broadly. Cities broadly.
• </c> programs just as one example. programs just as one example.

Bills: HF4698 , HF4608

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; I'm the domestic violence program &gt;&gt; I'm the domestic violence program manager<00
• </c> city council. city council. &gt;&gt; I<01:14:03.679><c> see.</c><01:14:03.920><c> Okay.
• There was a small over 30 years.
• </c> part of that program. part of that program. That's<04:32:05.920><c> interesting.
• </c> three different programs on the 287G. three different programs on the 287G.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just don't want cities to discriminate against having modular and manufactured homes in their cities
• It prevents cities from banning them.
• requirements, but there's a lot of room for a city to impose the kinds of rules it needs for the city
• I tell the mayors and city councilmen in my district, I didn't run for city council.
• city of Farmington.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Joint Resolution 173 and 174, which would put a tax-reform proposal before voters. Members debated a failed amendment to change the ballot language, with supporters saying it would more honestly describe the measure as a tax replacement that could expand sales taxes, and opponents saying it would be misleading and overly restrictive. The committee then adopted a House committee substitute that clarified the proposal, including a phased reduction in the individual income tax tied to revenue growth, and voted the substitute do pass by a 7-3 roll call. The committee next took up House Bills 321 and 2531 under a new committee substitute. The substitute made a series of technical and policy changes involving redevelopment, tax increment financing, public safety funding, Missouri Opportunity Zones, baseline revenue calculations, and local property tax diversion, including reducing one diversion requirement from 50% to 25%. Members and the sponsor described the changes as clarifying agency roles and addressing constitutional and administrative concerns. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the combined bill do pass by a 9-0-1 vote. In public hearing, House Bill 3230 by Rep. Hardwick would bar cities and counties from outright banning modular or qualified manufactured homes in areas where single-family homes are allowed, while still allowing reasonable safety, zoning, and compatibility standards. The sponsor and supporters from the Missouri Manufactured Housing Association argued the bill would expand affordable housing and prevent discriminatory local restrictions; the Missouri Municipal League said it supported the goal but wanted more work on language to preserve local flexibility. The committee also heard House Bill 2888 by Rep. Deal, which would limit standalone medical-monitoring claims without present physical injury. The sponsor and a civil justice coalition supporter said the bill would align Missouri law with court precedent and require an actual injury, while opponents and affected residents argued it would block needed monitoring for exposure to PFAS and other contaminants and could leave exposed communities without a remedy.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a small, carefully designed pilot program so Washington can learn what works using
• DSHS, which administers this program, is to request a waiver... ...food.
• I mean, is it changing the program or why would there be a cost?
• Currently, I'm asking to support programs like the Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program, more specifically
• I am a current student in Seattle University's Master of Social Work Program.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on three bills. SB 6212, sponsored by Sen. Nobles, would create a Department of Commerce pilot program providing monthly cash benefits to families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, with a control group and a final report to the Legislature on whether to expand the program statewide. Supporters said the pilot could reduce child poverty, improve family stability, and provide evidence on the effects of direct cash assistance; the sponsor acknowledged the bill would be expensive and said funding would need to be worked out. No vote was taken. SB 6186, sponsored by Sen. Warnick, would direct DSHS to seek a federal waiver to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to buy candy and sweetened beverages, with annual reapplication if needed. The bill’s preliminary fiscal note was described as significant, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments, including possibly limiting the proposal to Sun Bucks. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed from anti-hunger advocates, public health experts, economists, SNAP educators, and individuals with lived experience, who argued the restrictions would be costly, hard to administer, stigmatizing, and unlikely to improve nutrition; one supporter said the measure would promote healthier choices and reduce long-term health costs. No action was taken. SB 6707, also by Sen. Warnick, would have WSIPP study DCYF’s screening tools and risk assessment processes for child welfare referrals and their effects on outcomes such as services, removals, re-referrals, and fatalities. DCYF said it supports evaluating its risk assessment tool but is already working with Chapin Hall on a similar redesign and pilot of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale, and asked how the bill would avoid duplicating that work. Sen. Warnick said the bill was intended to examine child welfare outcomes more broadly. The committee heard testimony but took no vote, and the chair announced amendments for Wednesday’s executive session are due by noon the next day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• after city in the state of We see city after city in the state of Minnesota<02:46:06.319><c> understanding
• </c> small nuclear. small nuclear.
• to a very small region.
• to a very small region.
• </c> small region. small region.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT IN TERMS OF A ROADMAP FOR TODAY'S PRESENTATION I HAVE A VERY SMALL OVERVIEW OF THE COMMISSION ITSELF
• EVEN SMALL ONES WE HAVE SEEN IT MAKE UPWARDS OF $300,000 A WEEK. WHERE DO THEY PUT THE MONEY?
• SMALL GIRL PLAYING AN ILLEGAL SLOT MACHINE AT AN ILLEGAL CASINO IN OUR STATE RIGHT NOW.
• AND IT IS AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT YOU USE TO MOVE THE MACHINES AROUND SO THEY CAN BE PROGRAMMED.
• AND THERE IS A CLOSE UP OF THE HUB BEING USED TO PROGRAM AND DISTRIBUTE THESE MACHINES. HARMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state is home to over 4 million small businesses.
• small businesses and the jobs they create across California.
• The impact of small businesses in California cannot be overstated.
• businesses and small businesses feel this most strongly.
• Let's support our small businesses and make them want to stay.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, programs like we have the Fame program in our area for Gaston State.
• Really good program. >> What is a Fame program?
• </c> programs are about excellence. programs are about excellence.
• </c> city schools. city schools.
• </c> &gt;&gt; And this isn't the city. &gt;&gt; And this isn't the city.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this program, annual or biennial? this program, annual or biennial?
• , to extend this program.
• </c> programs like Medicaid. programs like Medicaid.
• </c> to right-size the program. to right-size the program.
• of these small counties.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ridgefield's one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.
• Ridgefield's one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.
• James Carroll continued: ...do away with a DTC, or direct-to-consumer, program.
• It allows small businesses to share infrastructure, manage costs, and grow responsibly.
• I know your children are small. So in that theater, would that be affected by this?

Bills: HB2128 , HB2207 , HB1701 , HB2536 , HB2476 , HB2294 , HB2229

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: alcohol service, sports facilities, amusement venues, recreational activities, patron engagement, alcohol warehousing, regulation, liquor distribution, storage standards, state laws, liquor licenses, multiple premises, alcohol distribution, commercial leasing, regulatory reform, winery, restaurant license, alcohol, spirits, beer

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, my city, the city in Santa Clarita, where I'm from, has been having lots of issues.
• You know, my city, the city in Santa Clarita, where I'm from is been having lots of issues.
• So there have been cities that have done 10, as the City of Irvine has noted.
• Ethan Nagler, on behalf of the cities of Foster City, Redwood City, San Mateo, and the town of Hillsborough
• So many of those cities have just begun their programs.

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:

• </c> with the trails program in that reality? with the trails program in that reality?
• Our agency is a small agency.
• We have 24 attorney small agency.
• </c> division, and our Wyoming bred program. division, and our Wyoming bred program.
• </c> program. So, hopefully that helps. program. So, hopefully that helps.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to the trustee programs, one of my favorites is the music incubator program.
• So that happened early in the program.
• our child care programs.
• We're a small agency, 27 FTEs.
• We're a small agency, 27 FTEs.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• > or</c><00:15:56.360><c> vice</c> grant program to other programs or vice grant program to other programs
• Ideally, it's reducing many awards by a small amount to bring program spending in line with appropriations
• </c><00:24:22.799><c> spending</c> small amount to bring program spending small amount to bring program
• ><c> we</c> this program receiving the program we this program receiving the program we have have have
• Promise program.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So both of those programs are right around 90% funded in 2024.
• OSA also plays a role in supporting these programs and even risk management.
• These programs and even risk management.
• So it could be a small sliver. It could be making up most of the pie.
• because it's such a small proportion of the CTF.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states. The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans. Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting. Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Linda Trujillo, Senate District 24 in the beautiful Santa Fe, uh, city, city different, but
• , and then the city of Almogordo keeps on stealing officers from the county.
• Um, I know when I was in the city council we passed a memorial recognizing.
• The city or the county pays the the settlement.
• the whole country, usually in the top 10, safest cities.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee