Transcript Highlights:

• AB 722, Avila Farías, reentry housing and workforce development: hold in committee.
• AB 1448, Hart, oil and gas development: do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 1448, Hart, oil and gas development: do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 1454, Revis, literacy instruction professional development: do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1454, Revis, literacy instruction professional development: do pass out on an A roll call. Mr.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would apply the tourist development taxes as well as local option sales taxes.
• As you know, I feel very passionately about the need to reform the use of tourist development taxes.
• That would be a drastic overhaul of tdt. >> And our towards developing councils.
• And there are certainly active discussions right now on how tourist development taxes should be used.
• I have very strong opinions as as you know about how tourism development tax should be used to create

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're encouraging jobs and economic development, we should be okay with receiving a lower rate of
• If we want economic development and job creation in New Mexico, we have to work with top-tier venture
• We also work hand-in-hand with the Economic Development Department on many of these projects.
• So, the key development here is, you know, we already talked about decentralization.
• So, it is in everybody's interest that they develop quantum proofing capabilities.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• My favorite CDE, which is a career development event, was the meat evaluation CDE.
• My favorite career development event throughout high school was competing in agricultural sales.
• First off, our CDEs stand for career development events.
• For our LDEs, these are our leadership development events.
• So a big priority for us is to focus on leadership development in all of our members.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard first from the Idaho School Board Association, whose chair Jason Sevy gave a personal account of how public schools, local governance, and school-based supports shaped his life and his family. He argued that school board training and state support for local control are important, citing the value of ISBA training funds and examples of districts using grants and partnerships to improve early literacy, mental health supports, and student outcomes. Members asked how urban districts could build stronger parent/community ties, and Sevy said community engagement should begin at the elementary level. The committee then received a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers, who described FFA’s three-circle model of classroom instruction, career and leadership development events, and supervised agricultural experiences. The officers highlighted their own agricultural and education pathways, the statewide reach of FFA chapters, leadership camps and conferences, community service hours, and the economic impact of SAE projects. They emphasized that FFA builds public speaking, parliamentary procedure, job interview, and leadership skills in addition to agricultural knowledge, and invited legislators to the state convention in Twin Falls in April. Members responded positively to both presentations. Representative Pickett asked about strengthening community engagement in larger districts and how FFA can attract students beyond agriculture; officers said the program’s broader leadership and workplace skills are a major draw. Other members praised the students’ confidence and articulation, and one suggested FFA should be considered as a minimum high school offering. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if the person is from a foreign country of concern and they are developing the software and it's
• software company that is headquartered outside a country of concern if some of its software developers
• Now, if the person is from a foreign country of concern and they are developing the software and it's
• their software, country of concern and they are developing the software and it's their software, this
• So we have been working with states across the country to develop foreign agent registration acts that

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act. Senator Grohl explained that the bill expands state restrictions and disclosure requirements related to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including foreign-agent registration, gift bans for public officials, ethics training, procurement limits for IT and critical infrastructure, restrictions on sister-city/sister-state affiliations, changes to linkage institutes and in-state tuition provisions, and new criminal penalties for certain offenses committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Senator Polsky raised questions about higher education, election technology, federal FARA overlap, and whether the bill would affect candidates or events involving CARE; the sponsor responded that the bill focuses on foreign countries of concern, ownership/control, and gifts, and does not prohibit speaking at events. An amendment clarifying definitions, willful violations, and ethics-training content was adopted, and after supportive testimony from Kelly Curry and Robert Pierce, the committee reported CS for SB 1178 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure if the filing is made before the maximum fine accrues and the filer has not previously received such a waiver or accrued the maximum fine in prior years. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified that the bill supports transparency and makes the fine and appeals process more efficient, noting it was a commission recommendation. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee held confirmation hearings on appointments in Tabs 3 through 26. No senator requested separate votes on any appointee, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointments was approved and recommended favorably to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• million in transportation this year and 227 million in water projects, 135 million in economic development
• of follow up on both what the chairman talked about and the vice chair with regard to economic development
• We talk about the other programs that have been developed.
• We talk about the innovations and you've already heard so much when we talk about economic development
• when it comes to higher Education, we're prepared in order to go ahead and continue to invest, to develop

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Mike Grissom waving in support, representing the Florida Rural Economic Development Association
• Under current development patterns, Florida loses about 100 acres of agricultural land a day, while the
• alternative scenario—less sprawl, more compact development—can reduce those losses by about half.
• Under current development patterns, Florida loses about 100 acres of agricultural land a day, while the
• alternative scenario—less sprawl, more compact development—can reduce those losses by about half.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development. Development.
• And the ACCD, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, initially develops the application process
• </c> Committee on Economic Development. Committee on Economic Development.
• </c> here here in Senate Economic Development here here in Senate Economic Development Housing<00:35:
• </c> the committee on economic development. the committee on economic development.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:09.679><c> and</c> battery energy storage developer and battery energy storage developer and
• It included beyond developers.
• </c><00:46:02.880><c> administration,</c> and economic development administration, and economic development
• </c><00:46:13.839><c> framework</c> developed such a comprehensive framework developed such a comprehensive
• :56:41.280><c> and</c> then further developing metrics and then further developing metrics and targets

Bills: HF3556

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> emphasize Latino Heritage by developing emphasize Latino Heritage by developing program<00:05:16.479
• </c> the Mary to welcome Child Development the Mary to welcome Child Development Center<00:10:12.760>
• Welcome Child Development Center.
• Welcome Child Development Center.
• Development Development Committee<01:46:50.280><c> um</c><01:46:50.840><c> before</c><01:46:51.119><

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> there are several economic development there are several economic development uh<00:04:24.639><c
• </c><00:08:36.719><c> next</c> industry leaders to develop next industry leaders to develop next generation
• </c> assist the coast in economic development assist the coast in economic development because<00:20:
• What happens is we condition the battle space through product development, through workforce development
• </c> directly to childcare development funds. directly to childcare development funds.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:45.200><c> by</c> services and benefits developers by services and benefits developers by
• Jurisdictions with well-defined standards attract quality development precisely because developers know
• Jurisdictions with well-defined standards attract quality development precisely because developers know
• Jurisdictions with well-defined standards attract quality development precisely because developers know
• It ensures disruptive development.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• establish a Massachusetts Children's Cabinet within the Governor's office to ensure that policy developed
• The language specifies the Cabinet would be required to develop a shared vision of integrated services
• The language specifies the Cabinet would require to develop a shared vision of integrated services to
• Tarr, required DESE to develop statewide truancy and engagement standards. Senator Tarr. Mr.
• To develop statewide truancy and engagement standards. Senator Tarr. Mr.

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, right now the interstate was going to be commercial development for them, and we've got a bunch
• of the land at one of the major exits that they can't develop commercially. >> Senator, is that the
• because there's not a cleared developed because there's not a cleared up<00:11:23.519><c> who</c><00
• for them and and we've got a development for them and and we've got a bunch<00:11:44.399><c> of</c><
• </c> exit that they can't develop exit that they can't develop commercially. commercially. commercially

Bills: SB337 , HB520 , HB75 , SB337 , HB520 , HB75

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• Chitten Southeast District, Senator Rahm Hinsdale, for the report of the committee on economic development
• </c><00:09:52.240><c> which</c> committee on economic development which committee on economic development
• </c> on economic development. on economic development.
• The question is, shall the resolution be amended as recommended by the Committee on Economic Development
• Are you ready on Economic Development?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The micro is something I think we need to develop a whole lot more, right?
• And as we talk to housing developers, as we talk to clean energy developers, and frankly, as I talked
• And as we talk to housing developers, as we talk to clean energy developers, and frankly, as I talked
• to the department, the... clean energy developers.
• How did you develop the timeline? That’s what I’d like to do.

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and maintenance of our developed communities.
• and maintenance of our developed communities.
• We developed reports in several years.
• </c> neurological development of the fetus. neurological development of the fetus.
• </c><01:10:07.440><c> and</c><01:10:07.679><c> most</c> economic development and most economic development

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's always possible concerns could develop in the future.
• I'm the Admin Deputy Director for the Employment Development Department.
• Employment Development Department.
• Joelle Ball, I'm the chief deputy for the California Workforce Development Board.
• The budget change proposal ...with the education and economic development systems.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ground particularly with uh developers ground particularly with uh developers uh<00:30:23.360><c
• </c> housing and new business developments housing and new business developments across<00:31:33.360>
• Projects led by cities, economic development, or housing authorities.
• Projects led by cities, economic development, or housing authorities.
• Brooklyn Center's Economic Development Authority and High Development coordinated the site renewal.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill directs the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy to develop a statewide written protocol regarding
• So I think this is just urging support for developers to build houses outside of the designated areas
• relating to municipal development fees.
• requirements relating to municipal development fees.
• And so we have development, and we have this constant battle between a shortage of home.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.