Transcript Highlights:

• </c> balance of my time. balance of my time.
• I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Gentleman reserves the balance of his time.
• I reserve the balance of my time. games. I reserve the balance of my time.
• Gentleman reserves the balance of Mr. Gentleman reserves the balance of his<02:36:34.560><c> time.
• </c> back the balance of my time. back the balance of my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I uh reserve the balance of my time. I uh reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> and I yield the balance of my time. Mr. and I yield the balance of my time. Mr.
• </c> balance of my time. Gentleman reserves. balance of my time. Gentleman reserves.
• Roy. and balance in all programs. There's a and balance in all programs.
• I balance my time. Let's keep ourselves do no harm. I balance my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:11.440><c> But</c> the to help balance the budget. But the to help balance the budget.
• One of the ways we balance the budget is One of the ways we balance the budget is by<01:09:23.759><c>
• </c> and balanced, right? and balanced, right?
• an ending balance.
• , and there's an ending beginning balance, and there's an ending balance.<03:31:28.160><c> Right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got really low balances if you... I think the first 10 to 12 off this list.
• They've got really low balances.
• If you look right next to the column, just to the left of jobs created, that's our balance of what's
• They've got really low balances.
• If you look right next to the column, just to the left of jobs created, that's our balance of what's

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Program. After approving the March 9, 2026 minutes, the committee heard from Commissioner Andrew Kilshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce on two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a building addition and waterfront industrial improvements project, and a Workforce Training Center redevelopment project. He said both met program criteria and projected substantial state benefits, jobs, and high benefit-cost ratios. Committee members asked about the projected jobs, the unusually high benefit-cost ratio, and the status of other port projects. Kilshaw and DOTD’s Molly Bergoin said the program has a backlog of more than $200 million, but the department is working through it, with some projects nearing closeout. They also said the annual request cap has been increased and that a tiered funding approach is being considered to help projects compete for federal dollars. Members expressed support for expanding investment in ports and for a statewide strategic plan. Chairman Boriak moved to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 program. There was no objection, and the committee accepted the projects. The meeting then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> utilities commission on how to balance utilities commission on how to balance opposing<00:23:55.440
• </c> employed and then it's balancing employed and then it's balancing uh<00:40:55.760><c> prices,</c
• </c> certainly can is part of that balancing certainly can is part of that balancing equation. equation
• </c><01:04:16.720><c> between</c> 37837, it strikes a good balance between 37837, it strikes a good balance
• ,</c><01:04:28.480><c> take</c> HP504 would unravel this balance, take HP504 would unravel this balance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there were some new revenues passed in the 2025 session and some fund balances that help make
• and capital programs. in the 25 session and some fund balances that help make up another piece.
• The green columns, green heading, shows what the fund balances look like.
• And then the governor’s budget did balance over the six-year time horizon through 2029–31.
• It has been in a negative balance.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the documentation we've been provided stands at that balance.
• It's 100% balance is just... ...they failed to ever make that payment, it automatically defaults in.
• It's 100% balance is due within 12 months.
• Bank reconciliations were not properly prepared for all accounts, and balances remaining in the bank
• Under the district court clerk, balances remaining in the bank account and the bank were not identified

Summary: The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection. The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the documentation we've been provided stands at that balance.
• It's 100% balance is due within 12 months.
• It's 100% balance is due within 12 months. that well, at that point, y'all have the authority to then
• Bank reconciliations were not properly prepared for all accounts, and balances remaining in the bank
• Balances remaining in the bank account and the bank were not identified with receipts issued for cases

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need a balanced approach to this, right?
• This is a good step forward, but I want to make sure that there's balance.
• That's what Californians are asking for: balance.
• Californians are asking for is balance I'd love to help in in finding a balanced approach to this where
• Just some checks and balance. So would you be willing to speak to that a little bit?

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 22, established a quorum, and adopted its 2023-24 committee rules. The hearing then considered five bills focused on aging, long-term care, immigrant seniors, nutrition, and emergency preparedness. AB 450 would create a task force to study the needs of undocumented Californians age 55 and older; supporters from CHIRLA and other advocates described barriers to housing, health care, retirement, and digital access, while members raised questions about eligibility and process. The bill was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. AB 508 would require residential care facilities for the elderly to disclose staffing information upon request at admission and when rates increase. The author and supporters argued that staffing levels are closely tied to quality of care and that families need transparency to make informed choices; a witness described her father’s death in an understaffed facility. Assisted living industry representatives opposed the bill as burdensome but said they were continuing discussions with the author. The committee adopted amendments and passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1476 would allow senior congregate meal programs to continue offering to-go meals, a practice expanded during the pandemic. Supporters said the option improved access for homebound and food-insecure seniors and helped bring people into senior centers; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1068 would create a working group on evacuation and sheltering needs for older adults and people with disabilities in long-term care during disasters, and AB 1069 would ensure area agencies on aging and aging/disability resource programs have access to emergency shelters to provide services. Both measures drew broad support from aging, disability, and advocacy groups, with testimony citing recent fires and evacuations, and both were approved and re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. The committee also left rolls open for additional members to add votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It balances a narrow set of urgent and prioritized needs with ideas on how we can reach a balanced budget
• It balances a narrow set of urgent and prioritized needs with ideas on how we can reach a balanced budget
• </c><00:38:15.599><c> that</c><00:38:15.760><c> fund</c><00:38:16.000><c> balance</c> um in a fund balance
• that fund balance um in a fund balance that fund balance was<00:38:16.560><c> created</c><00:38:16.880
• is trying to provide a balanced session is trying to provide a balanced budget.<00:44:03.119><c> Um,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's harder to find the proper balance.
• And we're trying for a balance.
• It's harder harder harder find proper<00:07:44.880><c> balance.</c> proper balance. proper balance.
• </c> that balance that balance with<00:07:52.360><c> the</c><00:07:52.480><c> regulation</c><00:07:53.880
• I hope we're we're trying for a balance.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 March, 2026; 11:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's the balance, right, for the industries?
• So I think everything is a balance, but your point is very well taken.
• That's the balance, right? That's the difficulty that we're facing right now.
• This balance is...
• So again, how do you balance our goals for recycling versus climate goals?

Bills: SB6013, SB6291

Keywords: ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we're, on this side of it, trying to figure out that balance, right?
• We're trying to help you and everyone involved strike that balance.
• And so I guess on that note, is there anything that... ...involved, strike that balance.
• Trying to balance the conditions. ...trying to balance the consumer protections and strengthening the
• And I think I probably more than most understand the delicate balance you're trying to strike here.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we're, on this side of it, trying to figure out that balance, right?
• We're trying to help you and everyone involved strike that balance.
• And so I guess on that note, is there anything that... ...involved strike that balance.
• And what are your ideas on how we would best balance addressing these real constituent needs without
• Trying to balance the conditions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will tell you that we're not going to balance our budget and the national debt on cutting food
• We're not going to balance the budget and our national debt on cutting Head Start childcare programs.
• the budget on the backs of the poor, and we're definitely not going to balance the budget if we give
• These temporary regulations that are in place are the first time that we have ever had balance.
• Make sure that you keep that balance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about balance and it's about. No change to the emission standards.
• So we're trying to balance this all out. Senator Menjivar. Thank you.
• So that's why, to me, this did seem like it struck the right balance.
• I understand the balance you're trying to strike.
• We just want to do it with a balanced approach that is not so broad.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to environmental quality, housing, transportation, and waste policy. SB 1375, by Senator Cortese, would create a narrow CEQA exemption category for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review. Supporters, including VTA, the City of San Jose, BART, Caltrain, MTC, and Climate Reality Silicon Valley, said it would reduce duplicative review and speed projects like the Diridon Station modernization. Committee members emphasized added amendments requiring displacement, construction-impact, and natural resources plans, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Transportation. The committee then took up SB 1031 on compostable plastics labeling. The author and supporters such as Californians Against Waste and the California Compost Coalition argued the bill would reduce consumer confusion, curb contamination in compost and recycling streams, and direct OEHHA to study health and environmental impacts. Opponents including manufacturers, BPI, retailers, and other industry groups said the bill would effectively ban compostable products in California, harm businesses, and fail to fix the underlying National Organics Program issue. After extensive discussion about labeling, composting capacity, and costs, the bill passed 2-2 on call to Appropriations. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented next; supporters said it would help move forward a large housing and mixed-use project on city-owned land after years of review and voter approval, and it passed 3-0 on call to Local Government. SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, drew the most extensive debate. The bill would strengthen implementation and enforcement of AB 617 community emissions reduction plans and local plans in overburdened communities. Environmental justice advocates and youth supporters backed the measure, while local governments, business groups, air district representatives, and industry groups warned it would create uncertainty, add land-use constraints, and act as a housing and cost driver. The author accepted several committee amendments and said the bill was still being worked on, but the motion to pass it to Local Government resulted in a 2-2 tie and the bill remained on call. SB 1064, by Senator Dahle, would reduce clean truck check testing frequency for low-use heavy-duty vehicles and equipment from twice a year to once a year. Agricultural and trucking witnesses supported it as a practical, cost-saving change, while air quality advocates opposed weakening a program they said prevents excess emissions and protects public health. The bill passed 4-0 on call to Transportation. Finally, SB 1258 was presented as a revised measure on remediation of hazardous waste sites on the Cortese list. The author said the committee amendments replaced the bill’s original approach, but he continued to argue that remediation should be aligned with housing development so contaminated infill sites can be cleaned up and built on more efficiently. Developers and environmental consultants supported the concept, saying current timing rules create risk and leave sites idle, while the committee continued to hear testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that really is the right venue to take a look at those balances.
• right venue to take a look at those balances.
• In this context, the fund balance is not excess. It's essential.
• I also want to highlight the realities of this as well: this is a fund balance.
• We all consider this unrestricted fund balance.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills. SB 1154 would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. The author and community college supporters argued it would give colleges flexibility similar to K-12, UC, and CSU and help avoid delays and costly change orders. Contractors and electrical subcontractors opposed the bill, saying its skilled-and-trained workforce requirement and safety provisions would narrow competition and disadvantage small and nonunion firms. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass vote and was placed on call. SB 1347 would clarify that stock albuterol may be stocked in all public schools, including preschool programs. The author and a physician testified that the bill would remove confusion in existing law and improve access to emergency asthma medication for students. School nurses, respiratory care advocates, and small school districts supported the measure, and there was no opposition. The bill passed unanimously on a due-pass to the floor vote and was placed on call. SB 1222 would create a pilot program to designate a lead county office to help regions struggling with career technical education implementation. Supporters said many students remain disconnected from school and work and that the bill would spread proven regional CTE practices. Some committee members questioned whether another pilot was needed, arguing existing CTE programs need more funding and fewer new structures, while the author and sponsor said the bill would build regional capacity and share successful models. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1378 would create a California Excellence in Service Learning Designation Program to recognize schools and districts with strong service-learning programs. Supporters said it would validate existing work and encourage civic engagement, while one member raised concerns about adding more designations and workload for schools. The bill passed as amended to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1048 would create a Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students demonstrating climate science knowledge through coursework and hands-on learning. Supporters, including the Department of Education and climate education groups, said it would align students with growing clean-energy careers; some members cautioned against adding more curriculum-related seals and noted equity and implementation concerns. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, SB 1101, the Higher Education Data Sharing Transparency Act, was presented. It would require CSU, community colleges, independent colleges, and request UC to notify students, faculty, and staff when their personal information is shared with federal agencies such as the Office for Civil Rights, and to limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters said recent federal investigations and subpoenas have created fear and a lack of transparency on campuses. Committee discussion focused on subpoena authority, constitutional limits, and whether notice should be required; one member said she would abstain because of legal concerns, while another said the bill would continue to be examined in the next committee. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1101 before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, access to the balance, the cash balance for the special fund is currently like $22 million.
• So, just being able to access more of that balance, in order to address the needs of the community is
• to the balance, the cash balance<00:49:48.160><c> for</c><00:49:48.319><c> the</c><00:49:48.400><c>
• special</c><00:49:48.640><c> fund</c><00:49:48.800><c> is</c> balance for the special fund is balance
• </c><00:51:09.040><c> So,</c> Cash balance, you know. >> Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 411 contains the balance of the contingent contract with the dental administrator delay.
• This proposal uses that money to pay for the balance of the new language.
• Line 340 is the balance of the Program.
• </c><00:10:36.079><c> Turning</c><00:10:36.480><c> to</c> balance of the new language.
• Turning to balance of the new language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the balance of my time." the balance of my time."
• </c> and I reserve the balance of my time. and I reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> Thank you and I yield back the balance Thank you and I yield back the balance of<02:35:20.560><c
• </c><03:01:40.560><c> The</c> Reserve the balance of my time. The Reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> pleases without any checks or balances. pleases without any checks or balances.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 1012, house, all