Transcript Highlights:

• 10% of students with disabilities were classified as Class D, meaning their IEP requires the most extensive
• Most extensive services.
• But the actual range of the requirements is so extensive and so disconnected that, despite the positive
• So, we were able to get a one-year extension for one of our coaches, but looking forward into next year
• Importantly, this extension funding allows New Mexico legislators to carefully study the real impact

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• replaced with actual language, the Hennepin County ballpark language, the Hennepin County ballpark um, extension
• replaced with actual language, the Hennepin County ballpark language, the Hennepin County ballpark um, extension
• language, the Henipin County ballpark language, the Henipin County ballpark um,<00:09:15.839> extension
• <00:09:18.000> Um,<00:09:18.399> to<00:09:18.640> me um, extension repurposing
• Um, to me um, extension repurposing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Optometry Board has an extensive review process before doctors of optometry could expand scope
• The State Optometry Board has an extensive review process before doctors of optometry could expand scope
• The State Optometry Board has an extensive review process before doctors of optometry could expand scope
• The State Optometry Board has an extensive review process before doctors of optometry could expand scope
• The State Optometry Board has an extensive review process before doctors of optometry could expand scope

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The other source of forecasting uncertainty is the tax payment extensions in Los Angeles County.
• And in contrast to some previous budgets, nearly all of these proposals are extensions, In contrast to
• some previous budgets, nearly all of these proposals are extensions or additional funding for programs
• In contrast to some previous budgets, nearly all of these proposals are extensions or additional funding
• some unique features that make that more of a concern: our reliance on the stock market, the tax extension

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• to put an additional request for next year, because it is a program that obviously, through our extension
• So I will certainly communicate back to our extension offices that we might have to implement this program
• This is where the extension offices came out of, including the 4-H.
• Because I think, initially, and you can see it from where the Extension offices are currently located
• Our Extension Associate Dean now participates in our enrollment management meetings as well, so we are

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, County Connection has only had to seek an extension for one individual.
• So I have extensive years in doing this.
• I'm here to support the CCW extension to four years.
• Lackey many years ago to get the first version of this bill through, and this is just a natural extension
• Lackey many years ago to get the first version of this bill through, and this is just a natural extension

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• assessments, more detailed agreements, mandatory reporting, progress reports, investment in oversight, and extensive
• assessments, more detailed agreements, mandatory reporting, progress reports, investment in oversight, and extensive
• assessments, more detailed agreements, mandatory reporting, progress reports, investment in oversight, and extensive
• 00:25:55.279> in<00:25:55.600> oversight,<00:25:56.559> and<00:25:56.960> extensive
• investment in oversight, and extensive investment in oversight, and extensive grant<00:25:58.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, constructing this trail extension would have a huge impact on our small rural area.
• Um, constructing this trail extension would have a huge impact on our small rural area.
• Um constructing this<00:21:41.760> trail<00:21:42.000> extension<00:21:42.400> would
• would have a a huge this trail extension would have a a huge impact<00:21:43.919> on<00:21:44.720
• into the neighborhood known as extension into the neighborhood known as Little<00:27:04.279> Norway

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are actually in the process of getting that extension passed in both branches, so that will obviously
• Right now, we're trying to get the extension until July 31st.
• We devoted the last year of 2024 to extensive final testing and limited data production.
• We devoted last year of 2024 to extensive final testing and limited data production.
• A second part of that is there's extensive warning and indication systems built into the smart gun itself

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its fourth hearing on emerging firearm technology, focused on personalized firearms and related privacy issues. Co-chairs noted the commission’s charge to study personalized firearm incentives, risks from digital manufacturing codes and AI, and the costs of requiring personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, and said the report deadline is being extended to July 31. They also announced the next public hearing for April 17 at 11:00 a.m., limited to Massachusetts residents. The first witness, Kai Kloepfer of Biofire, described the company’s personalized 9mm smart gun and argued it is designed to prevent unauthorized use through biometric authentication, local encrypted data storage, no wireless connectivity, and automatic disarming when released. He said Biofire opposes any mandate requiring personalized firearms, calling such mandates a de facto gun ban that would stifle innovation, limit consumer choice, and burden a still-developing market. He said the company has a patent portfolio, has received thousands of pre-orders, is shipping in all 50 states, and is approved for sale in Massachusetts; he also said the gun costs about $1,500, is currently sold online, and is intended mainly for home defense. Members questioned him about sales, manufacturing, battery life, repairability, transfer of ownership, possible expansion to other firearms, and whether microstamping could be incorporated. A Massachusetts firearms roster official, Michaela Dunn, explained the state’s testing and approval process for handguns and confirmed that the Biofire firearm is now on the Massachusetts roster and commercially available for retail sale in the state. Kate Crockford of the ACLU of Massachusetts testified only on facial recognition, warning that commercially available systems show significant demographic bias and that Massachusetts lacks comprehensive biometric privacy protections. She urged passage of pending data privacy and biometric privacy bills, including the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and related measures, before any broader use of biometric verification in firearm laws. Commissioners discussed privacy concerns, and Biofire said its system is zero-knowledge and would likely comply with stronger biometric privacy laws. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported beyond the scheduling announcement and the extension effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2422, Colosa, financial aid extensions, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1847, Harabedian, mortgage forbearance extension, do pass as amended to add an urgency clause.
• AB 1668, Pellerin, welfare exemption extension, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 2772, Committee on Business and Professions, interior designers sunset extension, do pass.
• AB 2772, Committee on Business and Professions, interior designers sunset extension, do pass.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The media covered this extensively when a Republican did it.
• The media covered this extensively when a Republican did it.
• 00:03:35.159> this insensitive the media covered this insensitive the media covered this extensively
• 37.519> a<00:03:37.760> republican<00:03:38.200> did<00:03:38.480> it extensively
• when a republican did it extensively when a republican did it Republicans<00:03:40.000> have<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This coordinated system involves an extensive network of entities that plan coordinate and deliver transportation
• Extensive measures not excessive.
• Extensive extensive measures to ensure the safety of our residents and riders positive train control
• And we're very excited that this past year as the final section extension to DeLand was becoming a reality

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is an extension beyond the original one.
• ,<00:28:22.400> this<00:28:22.600> is<00:28:22.720> an<00:28:22.840> extension
• So, this is an extension prohibition.
• So, this is an extension beyond beyond beyond um<00:28:25.720> the<00:28:25.840> original

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Conference Committee on House Bill 244 met to resolve remaining drafting issues in the bill updating and recodifying municipal enforcement of building and fire codes. The chair explained that the measure is largely a technical recodification, moving statutory references and correcting broken cross-references after review by the subcommittee, the Senate, AI-assisted checking, and the Building Code Review Board. Members emphasized that Amendment 2026-1923H contains no policy changes, only reference updates and language cleanup to ensure the bill points to the correct current RSA sections. The committee then discussed a few specific drafting questions, including a reference on page one and language on page two concerning the phrase “remove the prohibition on a building permit.” Some members questioned whether that wording should instead describe a variance or exception, but the chair and Representative Darji explained that the language is intended to allow an applicant to return to the zoning board to remove a prohibition attached to a specific building permit, not to broadly eliminate the underlying rule. The committee also noted a corrected reference to current statutory language because the underlying law had changed since the bill was introduced. After the explanation, the House receded from its position of non-concurrence and concurred with the Senate amendment as further amended by 2026-1923H. Members agreed to place the measure on the House consent calendar, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's all businesses in that extension. There's no R-1 there. But will there ever be?
• know that our government has shutdowns, federal government has shutdowns, and the last one was so extensive
• And the last one was so extensive that we could see where TSA agents were really just struggling financially
• my city to do and to implement for our TSA workers if we were to ever have a shutdown that is as extensive

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee heard and advanced a series of local and statewide measures. SB 430 would renew, every 12 years by voter approval, the Shreveport-Bossier hotel occupancy tax that supports tourism and sports-related entities; SB 286 updates the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond-election boundaries; SB 198 requires government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district guidelines for new construction; and SB 172 expands a planning-commission provision so smaller municipalities can waive certain subdivision formalities and costly studies in limited family land-split situations. Each of these bills was described as largely technical or permissive, with supporters emphasizing efficiency, local control, or reduced costs. The committee also advanced SB 439 to add pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s esophageal cancer for firefighters and fire service employees, with firefighters’ representatives explaining the test can detect pre-cancerous cells and prevent later, more serious cancer. SB 458 would allow a local tax for a proposed St. Tammany Parish Inspector General/ethics entity to be allocated and, if excess remains, transferred to the district attorney’s office; members discussed the parish-wide referendum process and the connection to state-required funding obligations. SB 447 changes Bossier City Police Department promotional seniority and civil service classification from competitive seniority to promotional seniority, and SB 281 expands the Baker Economic Development District boundary to include additional commercial areas near the airport and support blight removal and growth. Additional measures moved favorably included SB 385, which changes appointments to the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association board and allows City Park to opt out of certain state insurance coverage because it carries private insurance; HR 84, which urges Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA agents at the regional airport during federal shutdowns; and SB 417, which adds two members to the St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A board. In each case, the committee heard brief testimony from sponsors and local officials or advocates, asked clarifying questions, and then approved the bills without objection. One member, Representative Murray, recused himself from the City Park bill because of his board membership. The committee then took a short recess, noting a few remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not appear.

Transcript Highlights:

• And needs extensive care. Uh, and this can happen. It does not happen, thankfully, very often.
• life.<00:09:59.440> And<00:10:00.120> and<00:10:01.240> needs<00:10:01.640> extensive
• And and needs extensive care. Uh life. And and needs extensive care.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence and handled several bill referrals and procedural matters. House Bill 957, relating to amendments to the charter of the town of Williston, received first reading and was referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Senate Bill 255, establishing a pilot law enforcement government’s council in Windham County, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because it materially affects municipal revenue. The House also noted that Senate Bill 198, on regulation of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, had been reported favorably with amendment by Commerce and Economic Development. The chamber then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 198 and committed it to the Committee on Human Services pending its entry on the notice calendar. The House also adopted in concurrence Joint Senate Resolution 49, setting weekend adjournment so that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, April 17, 2026, they must reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 21, 2026. During consideration of Senate Bill 218, relating to reducing chloride contamination of state waters, Representative Boutin offered a floor amendment aimed at strengthening municipal liability protections for towns participating in salt-reduction efforts. Supporters said the existing affirmative defense was too weak and could leave municipalities exposed to negligence claims despite their efforts to reduce salt use. Opponents, including members speaking for Judiciary and House Environment, argued the issue was legally complex, involved tort and insurance questions, and needed more vetting than a floor amendment; they also said the current bill already supports municipalities through certification and best-management-practices provisions. Both committees reported the amendment unfavorable, with Judiciary citing a 7-3-1 vote and House Environment a 10-1-0 vote. The session ended with announcements recognizing guests in the gallery and a notice that House Democrats would caucus in Room 11, while Republicans and Progressives would not, followed by a recess until the gavel fell again.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've realized this now, and they're requesting ratification of these payments as well as an extension
• This is the extension and amendment of the contract.
• That means there was no increase or no time extension.
• That means there was no increase or no time extension.

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to agriculture, the establishment of the Kona Cooperative Extension.
• I understand that you would prefer an extension agent instead of an education support associate.
• Extension agent instead of an education support associate. Is that correct? I see you saying. Okay.
• If we give you, we elevate it to an extension agent instead of an educational support associate position

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A few years ago, there was an outbreak of Fusarium wilt 4, and by happenstance, our county extension
• It will be administered by AgriLife Extension in order to study agricultural plant disease and pest prevention
• Last session, I was able to work with the Article 3 chairman to put in a bee specialist in AgriLife Extension
• Extension who started some of this work and has been phenomenal in addressing some of these things.

Bills: HB147

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the zones one and two, essentially the extension to the north, the new build portion of the project
• one and two 2026 and the zones one and two essentially<00:08:26.479> the<00:08:26.639> extension
• <00:08:27.080> to<00:08:27.240> the<00:08:27.400> north essentially the extension
• to the north essentially the extension to the north uh<00:08:28.159> the<00:08:28.280> new

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 635, House File 2187, represents a no-cost item for the Care Carlton grant extension.
• Carlton grant extension. Carlton grant extension.
• of a flat rate for F FRS to 11 extension of a flat rate for F FRS to 11 128. 128. 128.
• On page 10, line 6, it says Carlton grant extensions.
• On page 10, line 6, it says Carlton grant extensions.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house