Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Here. A quorum of the House and Senate Finance is present. Thank you.
• I'll show you a little bit of where to find the information, and then we'll walk through the JFAC proposed
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking.
• Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee opened the session with roll call, confirmed a quorum, and introduced new members, staff, and pages. Co-chairs and staff then reviewed JFAC’s role as the legislature’s main budget committee, the committee’s daily schedule, and the resources available through legislative staff, the impact team, and the newly released 2026 Legislative Budget Book and related budget tools. The committee received a detailed briefing from the Division of Financial Management on the JFAC calendar and then from Governor’s Budget Director Lori Wolf on the governor’s FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget recommendations. Wolf said the budget is balanced but tight, relying on a mix of ongoing reductions and one-time actions rather than reserve fund transfers. Major budget actions included a 3% ongoing reduction across most state agencies, reversions of certain one-time balances to the general fund, no recommended pay increase for state employees or teachers, and higher employee health insurance costs. The budget also proposed reductions or policy changes in Medicaid, virtual school funding, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, and some transportation and water-related funds, while preserving funding for public safety, education, water, and transportation priorities. Members questioned the assumptions behind the budget, especially the projected ending balances, the use of one-time transfers, the impact of rising health insurance costs on employees, the effect of Medicaid cuts on services and cost shifts, and the rationale for reductions to online education and IDLA. Several members also asked about the proposed federal tax conformity changes, including the timing of implementation and the treatment of Idaho’s existing R&E tax credit. Wolf said the conformity estimate was based on Tax Commission analysis and that the administration was not recommending use of the budget stabilization fund. No votes or formal actions were taken; the committee concluded by noting that the Economic Outlook Committee would meet later in the week and that JFAC would continue budget hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep Ward Johnson Rep Davis and rep chopper Show of ice, Chair Howard, is present. Thank you.
• Rep Leilani, Rep Perez, Rep Ward-Johnson, Rep Davis, and Rep. They're being levinized.
• The chair lays out House Bill 4361 and recognizes Representative Ward Johnson to explain the bill.
• But, again, as proposed, I don't think this bill would affect my practices, assuming the application.
• Representative Ward-Johnson. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman.

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• So the $2 billion proposal was before the aldermen.
• Because there's one that was approved, the aldermen heard one proposal for $306 million.
• So the $2 billion proposal was before the aldermen.
• </c> went this the school building proposals went this the school building proposals the<00:16:46.399
• So if I change that to any city ward or town... ...ward or town. Sure.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1588 is a measured proposal that provides law enforcement with clearer tools to address conduct that
• The bill clarifies that voters may propose and approve a local transactions and use tax of up to 0.5%
• With me today to speak in support of AB-2560 is Jeannie Ward Waller with the climate plan, and at the
• Jeannie Ward Waller, on behalf of PeopleForBikes, in support if amended.
• Jeannie Ward Waller, on behalf of PeopleForBikes, in support if amended.

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:

• On that note, what savings will result from the governor's proposal or from your proposal? Yeah.
• Now, your proposal also, so, um, Now, your proposal also, um, okay, let me, let me reframe this.
• The budget change proposal that was included in the governor's proposed budget specific to this SIBTF
• Under the current proposed reforms and the subsequent budget change proposal as proposed, we expect that
• Support the governor's proposal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Weber Pierson, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• That is AB 1684 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.
• Assembly Bill 1684 by Assembly Member Ward and others.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you, Assembly Member Ward. All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• File item 212, AB 368 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.
• Assembly Member Ward, you were recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 825 proposes a suite of policies that will address rising electric utility bills.
• This is in the same misguided vein as all of those proposals.
• The element of this proposal...
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you Assembly Member Ward. ...work that the author will do over in that House.

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:

• Ward and Mr. Carrillo.
• Ward now. Thank you. Before Mr.
• We rubber stamp this proposal that apparently is coming from the governor's office.
• This proposal is coming from leadership from our four diversity caucuses. Mr.
• Patel's concern that there is not any proposal for a disability prevention coordinator.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Chief of Police, I went, I've gone to, of course, numerous community meetings and ward meetings and
• Likewise, I've been to a few ward meetings since I've become the interim sheriff.
• As Chief of Police, I went, I've gone to, of course, numerous community meetings and ward meetings and
• Likewise, if I've been to a few ward meetings, since I've become the interim sheriff.
• Ryan Mills, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, and we support the bill as proposed. Great.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we have here is a proposal and Dr.
• And so that was a primary contributor to the proposed rate increase and the concern I had at the time
• Chair Carls Ward Tisdale.
• Show you registered as Ward Tisdale National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
• Hi Ward, showing uh Wart Tisdale National Association of Multiple or Mutual Insurance Companies.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• </c> bit harder is it my husband is the ward bit harder is it my husband is the ward counselor<01:03:
• Okay, Senator, would you like to speak to the proposed amendment or the bill?
• Yeah, the proposed amendment. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.
• </c> yes Senator inis is excuse Senator Ward yes Senator inis is excuse Senator Ward yes<01:53:02.599

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Ward, just one more.
• </c> standard, uh, um, that this proposes. standard, uh, um, that this proposes.
• &gt;&gt; so Senator Ward I'm going to move in &gt;&gt; so Senator Ward I'm going to move in study<01:
• . proposed. proposed.
• Senator Ward, have a second?

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Cook here on behalf of the Missouri Bar to go on record in support.
• Ward Cook here on behalf of the Missouri Bar to go on record in support.
• I would like to reiterate this was one of our legislative proposals, and we are strongly in favor of
• I would like to reiterate this was one of our legislative proposals, and we are strongly in favor of

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum, announced that House Bills 3304, 2777, and 3054 would not be heard that day, and then moved into executive session. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 1910, which concerns child maintenance/child support obligations for certain persons convicted of DWIs. Representative Davis offered an amendment changing mandatory language from “shall” to “may” to preserve judicial discretion; the amendment was adopted 5-2 with one present. The committee then adopted a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 1910 do pass 7-0 with one present. The committee next took up House Bill 3116, a civil jurisprudence bill. An amendment was adopted to incorporate provisions from three previously heard bills: HB 1711 (Uniform Deposition Act), HB 1713 (allowing circuit courts to dissolve LLCs), and HB 3072 (workers’ compensation changes). The committee rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3116 do pass 8-0. The committee also considered House Bill 3289 on court operations. An amendment was adopted to add treatment court administrators in certain circuits, subject to appropriations, then rolled into a substitute. The House Committee substitute for HB 3289 was voted do pass 8-0. In public hearing, Representative Dolan presented House Bill 3443, which would raise the court automation fee from $7 to $10 and add a CPI-based annual adjustment. Supporters from the Judicial Conference of Missouri said the fee has not been updated since the 1990s, that court automation costs continue to rise, and that the surcharge covers only a portion of the system’s expenses; they also noted that salaries are generally funded through general revenue rather than fees. Committee members asked about the new fee amount, what the revenue would support, and the collection-rate assumptions in the fiscal note. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Parker then presented House Bill 2865, which would remove the statutory cap of $75 per hour for attorney’s fees in certain agency/licensure proceedings and replace it with “reasonable” fees. He and supporters said the current rate has not been updated since 1989 and is too low to attract attorneys for cases involving licensed professionals defending their licenses. Testimony in favor came from a private attorney who practices in this area, the Missouri Bar, and another supporter who said the bill would improve representation for Missouri licensees. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing on HB 2865 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature shall provide by general law for the removal by suit of any state, district, parochial, ward
• , or municipal official except the governor, lieutenant governor—” “State, district, parochial, ward,
• He had worked with a number of other scholars related to proposals for state regulations.
• We proposed the rules, right?
• So we proposed the laws, right? And the executive branch, we delegate that authority to them.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first deferred Senate Bill 49, which would remove the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education from the list of offices subject to closed party primary elections, after the sponsor said additional amendments were being prepared. It then took up House Bill 1247, which creates a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator within the Department of Justice to improve access, evidence collection, and coordination for sexual assault survivors. Members adopted a committee amendment package that clarified the coordinating structure, geographic response considerations, reimbursement language, and related public records issues, and the bill was reported favorably as amended with support from health care and law enforcement-related groups. House Bill 1245, also dealing with public records, was amended to protect certain personal identifying information in criminal history records of criminal justice agency employees who serve as witnesses in criminal proceedings. The discussion focused on limiting release of Social Security numbers, home addresses, and dates of birth while preserving disclosure required for court proceedings and impeachment-related purposes. The committee adopted a further amendment narrowing the protection to those PII items in records held by the clerk of court, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1011, allowing jurors to donate per diem compensation to CASA, and House Bill 1186, which standardizes construction code and inspector licensing records while protecting inspectors’ personal information, were also reported favorably. Senate Bill 425, which implements the constitutional mandate for removal by suit of certain elected officials for felony conviction, malfeasance, or gross misconduct, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it creates a civil process to address serious misconduct when criminal prosecution is unavailable or incomplete, while opponents warned it could be abused for political targeting, duplicate existing remedies, and rely on vague standards. After amendments clarifying the process and standards, the committee voted 10-5 to report the bill favorably as amended. The committee also adopted amendments and reported favorably House Bill 1057, extending absentee-by-mail eligibility for overseas service members from one year to two years, and began discussion of House Bill 709, which would create a rulemaking notification system, a 10-year sunset for certain rules, and an Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the governor’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• training, House Bill 3376 recognizes the importance of enhancing the existing training to better support wards
• aging, strategies, and resources, and limiting the applicability of this requirement to guardians of wards
• three-hour training requirement to one hour and specified that the training would apply to guardians of wards
• The proposed amendments, again, provide clear guidelines.

Bills: HB368 , HB3311 , HB1734 , HB2495 , HB2716 , HB793 , HB3376 , HB2524 , HB3421 , HB3446 , HB3181

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 60-day timeline this present proposed 60-day timeline this present proposed change<00:16:26.279>
• > on</c><00:18:37.320><c> state</c> proposed proposals are located on state proposed proposals are located
• </c><00:22:41.039><c> and</c> the the viability of their proposal and the the viability of their proposal
• </c> that the dot even with the proposed that the dot even with the proposed transfer<02:00:45.400><c
• </c><02:02:48.840><c> I'm</c> questions yes please Andre Ward I'm questions yes please Andre Ward I'm

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with regard to expansion, this proposal here, the scope of the proposal was for software.
• So now we have, in the Governor's proposed May revision, a proposal to give us a one-time increase in
• A few comments on this proposal.
• So in effect, this proposed money for this proposed fund, I should say, this proposed program would be
• Ward. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The reliability benefits of this proposal are just as common sense.
• The reliability benefits of this proposal are just as common sense.
• Lastly, sustainability is also part of this proposal.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Ward Johnson.
• Every question Every proposed initiative. as well as each investment.
• a healthcare workforce proposed endowment for comprehensive regional universities.
• Thank you, Admirals Ward Johnson. I'm asking everybody the same question, um.
• And so what we have proposed, we are, we are proposed a partnership with South Texas College, which has

Committee: House Higher Education