Transcript Highlights:

• Procurement process and do a request for proposals based on the criteria that's written in the legislation
• The proposed legislation was worded as notifying recipients that have these age-appropriate children,
• The witness said that the proposed legislation specifically said to notify households with age-appropriate
• </c><00:54:55.240><c> and</c> supported by legislation and supported by legislation and Appropriations
• You know, if you propose legislation and you have other mechanisms that you feel would be appropriate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll entertain a motion at the appropriate time. Thank you very much.
• Many of you supported this legislation.
• I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you. Thank you so much.
• Name and affiliation at the appropriate time.
• Appropriations? You want to just repeat the current vote?

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire, disaster recovery, and behavioral health bills. AB 1960 would allow Cal Fire wildfire prevention grants to fund community-level home hardening projects, and AB 1964 would require the State Fire Marshal to survey the number of homes needing upgrades to very high fire-hardening standards and estimate the cost. Supporters for both bills included Fire Aside, Megafire Action, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the Nature Conservancy; there was no opposition. Committee members praised the community-focused approach and the need to better measure progress on home hardening. The committee also heard AB 2385, which would clarify state law so local governments can create local reconstruction agencies and plan disaster recovery in advance, with model ordinances and technical assistance from state agencies. The League of California Cities supported the bill, saying it would help cities and counties recover more quickly and orderly after disasters; members cited the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations and urged preserving the bill’s authorities. No opposition was heard. AB 2093, a cleanup and governance bill for California’s 988 crisis response system, would address implementation problems from AB 988, including unclear leadership, coordination gaps between 988 and 911, and funding structure issues. The Steinberg Institute and several behavioral health and advocacy organizations supported the measure, while the County Behavioral Health Directors Association opposed unless amended. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the consent calendar and all four bills—AB 1960, AB 1964, AB 2093, and AB 2385—to the Appropriations Committee, with each measure ultimately reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice partner access request.
• On line 36, they had a request for a jury pay deficit. This money is also available for four years.
• Starting at line one, this section is not in appropriation.
• Data requests if the data requester does not show up to collect or inspect the requested data that has
• Our organization has been buoyed by the significant investments from the legislator in years past.

Bills: HF2300

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that this is a piece of legislation that will address that issue.
• We are signed in as other on this legislation today. As Mr. Vick and as Mr.
• And would they all agree that this is an appropriate use of that account?
• And would they all agree that this is an appropriate use of that account?
• And would they all agree that this is an appropriate use of that account?

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners, including notices when policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or premiums are adversely affected, plus insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and rate filing transparency. Supporters, including the OIC, AARP, the mayor of Medical Lake, and a fire chief, said the bill would improve transparency, help homeowners understand and reduce wildfire risk, and protect consumers facing cancellations and rising premiums. Industry witnesses said they supported the goal but warned the bill could add regulatory cost and complexity, and some urged narrower, simpler disclosure language and a delayed implementation date. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would expand the insurance fraud program and create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, the OIC and AARP supported the bill as a tool against organized fraud and restitution for victims. A criminal defense representative raised concerns that the new felony language overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance fraud law and could create conflicting statutes and harsher penalties for the same conduct. The committee also heard testimony that the bill had already incorporated amendments limiting criminal investigators’ role in regulatory investigations and focusing them on complex schemes. The committee then heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, described as largely mirroring a House bill already passed by the committee. Testimony from the travel insurance industry said agreed-upon amendments had been incorporated, including changes addressing conflict-of-interest concerns, and urged the bill’s advancement. Finally, the committee heard substitute Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes grant program to fund wildfire home-hardening and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying factor for homes meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. The OIC, fire commissioners, AARP, and the prime sponsor supported the bill as a way to reduce nonrenewals and improve insurability, while insurers opposed Section 7, arguing it could interfere with underwriting and should be removed if the bill is to remain a grant program. The committee also began hearing engrossed Senate Bill 5280 on virtual currency kiosks, with staff and the Department of Financial Institutions describing daily transaction caps, fee limits, disclosures, and receipts to curb fraud; consumer protection and law enforcement witnesses supported the bill, while industry witnesses raised concerns about burdens on compliant businesses and passive retail hosts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:04.360><c> it</c> community so with this uh legislation it community so with this uh legislation
• </c> in alignment with the last legislation in alignment with the last legislation we<00:31:12.600><c
• </c> allocation of $600 million appropriated allocation of $600 million appropriated by<00:38:54.440>
• If you want that, we should give you a direct appropriation so at least you can appropriate all those
• Well, I mean, this was a DHHL bill, so it wasn't our request. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please bless our hearts that they might be expanded, that we might have the appropriate feelings toward
• Please bless our hearts that they might be expanded, that we might have the appropriate feelings toward
• And whereas, without appropriate intervention by speech, language, and hearing professionals, people
• The legislation listed below made the following recommendation: HB 2003 do pass as amended.
• Another area where it was not requested, and it kind of leaves the department in limbo.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It actually feels appropriate to me that we're having this hearing at this time.
• area. appropriate area.
• Our remaining slides will cover this request.
• folks who have really been following and tracking that legislation.
• So that is my request. And now we'll go on to Representative Elkins. Thank you.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we only had $33 million of appropriation we only had $33 million of appropriation and<01:01:05.240
• Before I forget, you mentioned legislation affects something, so please let me know what that legislation
• </c> dependent on um what is appropriated dependent on um what is appropriated versus<01:18:09.480><c
• </c> as far as this account and appropriating as far as this account and appropriating additional<01:
• of fiscal year the appropriation number of charter<01:50:11.719><c> schools</c><01:50:12.040><c> requesting

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• A28 is basically a technical change to the House language regarding the conditions in which the legislative
• </c> President, legislative auditor policy. President, legislative auditor policy.
• </c> conditions in which the legislative conditions in which the legislative auditor<00:01:56.560><c>
• The state demographer and the legislative task force on aging provides a clear directive.
• It's only triggered when funding is not appropriated for agencies to provide this oversight.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so to me, that feels like an appropriate place to put this notice.
• appropriation?
• appropriation?
• I'm afraid for the fate of your bill if it goes to Appropriations.
• Are you trying to put together model legislation?

Bills: HB471 , HB798 , HB947 , HB1140 , HB1186 , HB1195 , HB1222

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll provide information if requested in support. Ronald Maves, Mains?
• I don't think that's a big request.
• You want your name on some legislation. So this is no different than what Rep.
• Passed at the end of last legislative session.
• But it was voluntary; it was my request.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and heard a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. Early bills included HB 745, extending special permits for tandem/container loads serving port facilities; HB 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; HB 1050, which revises commercial driver’s license rules and allows certain 18-year-olds to drive intrastate with a Class A license; and HB 1172, designating a portion of US 165 in Oberlin as the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1000 adopted with amendments. The committee then took up HB 896 on toll facilities, prompted by concerns about Belle Chasse toll charges and customer service access. The bill would require local toll customer service centers, toll dispute procedures, and limits on certain fees; amendments were adopted to refine those provisions, including in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, and limits on additional charges. The bill was reported with amendments. HB 493, which would have prohibited expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony and debate over reservoir planning and local flood-control authority, but was ultimately voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 1173 was approved to give people in the OMV reinstatement relief program up to three months without a late fee on installment agreements, while keeping the payment due and moving it to the end of the plan. HB 1024 created a Louisiana Democratic Party special prestige license plate and was reported favorably. The committee also approved HCR 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to secure backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and HB 1159, concerning automated speed enforcement in Jefferson Parish municipalities, was ultimately voluntarily deferred after discussion of local control, public input, and prior legislation on speed cameras. The final major item was HB 679, as substituted, creating a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and directing law enforcement training on interactions with those individuals. The sponsor and several witnesses described personal experiences with traumatic brain injury and argued the designation would improve safety and communication during traffic stops. The substitute bill was adopted and the measure was reported favorably. The committee concluded by reporting HB 1207 favorably; that bill would limit unduly restrictive contractor qualification requirements in public bidding and require such requirements to be reasonably related to the project and justified in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement to put the person out, but it just says request.
• </c><00:14:35.040><c> law</c> says that the owner can request law says that the owner can request law
• </c><00:14:40.320><c> M</c> it just says request. M it just says request.
• I like, as just as my style as a legislator, I like to do what we can do.
• not a piece of legislation comes not a piece of legislation comes forward,<00:31:47.840><c> what</c><

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Darya Farivar, State Representative from the 46th Legislative District in Northeast Seattle.
• A fiscal note has been requested, but is not yet available.
• So this is a direct piece of legislation to deal with... ...is a direct piece of legislation to deal
• A fiscal note has been requested, but is not yet available.
• This is agency request legislation from the Office of the Secretary of State and the State Uniform Law

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposed legislation does two things. This proposed legislation does two things.
• And so with that, I would respectfully request you print this RS.
• I would request to change my vote. Thank you. It's up to the chair.
• How would I be able to opt my son into an age-appropriate...
• How would I be able to opt to my son into an age appropriate?

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Members were reminded that RS introductions are not the place for broad bill debate, though technical questions could be discussed. Representative Chris Matthias presented RS 33033, which would require schools to notify parents when a student is involved in a serious bullying incident, including incidents resulting in suspension, and would eliminate the current requirement for schools to compile and send bullying incident counts to the Idaho Department of Education. After a brief procedural issue over whether members had access to the RS, a motion to introduce the RS was made and approved. Chairman Dale Hawkins then presented RS 32917, a cleanup measure related to K-12 instruction on sexual orientation. He said the proposal was intended to remove confusing leftover language from an earlier version of the bill that had already been enacted. Representative Matthias raised a technical question about how the change would interact with existing opt-in provisions for human sexuality instruction, and Representative Garner asked for statistics on how often the issue arises in classrooms. Hawkins said he would bring data back later. The committee then voted to introduce RS 32917, and the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ashley Lennertz, and I serve as the Legislative Director for Texas.
• You brought up points that are already in the legislation. I'm sorry, go ahead.
• I request that we keep the fee-for-service model.
• We want to thank Senator Sparks for this important work. ...piece of legislation, and we request your
• The TMA feels that SB 1318 strikes an appropriate balance.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• So haven’t we already done that with legislative intent?
• So then we'd be ready for legislative session for any legislative action items that would need to happen
• The question I have for you is, do you need any additional legislative legislation in order to accomplish
• I'd say there's a combination of policy... ...additional legislative legislation in order to accomplish
• And then all of a sudden you're legislated dollars to fix.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation requires that we get three approvals.
• Thank you for your Leadership and for considering this piece of legislation.
• Chairman, no more than ninety-two million is described in the legislation. Okay.
• We're not asking for any more appropriation.
• But the school districts, you can request that as a parent.

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• That just became available to us six months ago, and then the $50 million special appropriation that
• These are new requests, and we do not currently have enough funding to be able to fund all of those requests
• The next slide goes into our legislative request, which is the $135 million request for the Housing Trust
• But I do have a piece of legislation this year, and several others are going to join me on this: the
• And that's the point of the bonds and the appropriations that we're seeking this session.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Co-sponsorship request, Mr.
• ><c> all</c><00:23:31.120><c> on</c> requests and your requests are all on requests and your requests
• >> Co-sponsor request, Mr.
• >> Co-sponsor request, Mr.
• >> Co-sponsorship request, Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also triggered by an appropriation allotment.
• But that's an appropriations conversation, which I sit on appropriations.
• Motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all