Transcript Highlights:

• That makes us the 11th most regulated state, up with New York and California.
• on Human Trafficking. of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
• the state. So there is not a lack of services in that aspect.
• and proposed agency action by those state agencies.
• It's at no cost to the state agencies.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go ahead and state your name.”
• produce enough tomatoes to feed the United States.
• It’s kind of like the state water planning process.
• That is not the case all the way across the state.
• That is not the case all the way across the state.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Peace.
• Sharp Collins, Aaron Carruthers of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• Veronica Bravo here for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• Hello, Veronica Bravo here for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
• The State Council supports options that promote access to quality support for the IDD community, and

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is historic levels in this state.
• are up to code and everything?
• That could be. state employees.
• You know, the cost of living varies from state to state.
• So we'll take a state, we'll compare us with a state that we all know, and some of us dearly love and

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The code is going to be 516.
• The next P code is going to be conservation.
• I'll go now to P780 as it relates to this particular P code.
• There were no differences on language in this particular P code.
• projects across the state.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state?
• My name is Carissa Larson, deputy director for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
• The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
• House Bill 2481 is a top priority for us at the State Labor Council, and we strongly support it.
• On behalf of the State Labor Council, we urge you to pass this bill. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2325, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program to fund statewide tourism promotion. Staff explained that the bill would let the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority develop and administer an assessment program overseen by a 10-member ratepayer board, subject to a referendum of affected businesses, and would add a public records exemption for business financial and commercial information. The prime sponsor and supporters from State of Washington Tourism, the hospitality industry, the Port of Seattle, breweries, and wine interests argued that Washington is underinvesting in tourism compared with other states and that an industry-led assessment would provide sustainable, competitive funding. Opposition testimony from a taxpayer group objected to new assessments and unelected authority over tax-like charges. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2481, which would prohibit surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for certain retail goods, require clear price posting, and temporarily bar electronic shelf labels in larger grocery stores while Commerce studies their effects. The sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure that customers in the same store pay the same price and to prevent AI-driven pricing based on personal data. Labor, privacy, and consumer advocates supported the bill, citing concerns about hidden price discrimination, worker stress, and consumer harm. Grocery and retail groups, along with an ESL manufacturer and a tech association, opposed the bill as written, warning that the definitions were too broad and could interfere with loyalty programs, discounts, inventory management, and electronic shelf label systems; several said they were working with the sponsor on amendments. The chair indicated amendments were expected and asked stakeholders to submit language soon, but no vote occurred. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2503, which would require developers of generative AI systems to post high-level documentation about training data before public release and make violations a Consumer Protection Act issue. The sponsor described the bill as a transparency measure meant to function like an ingredients label for AI, helping consumers, researchers, and creators understand what goes into a model. Supporters from TechNet and Chamber of Progress said they generally backed the concept but wanted the bill aligned more closely with California’s recent law, especially on enforcement and the private right of action. Members raised questions about trade secrets, applicability to large versus small developers, and whether the bill could affect medical or other specialized AI uses; the sponsor said amendments were anticipated and that the bill was still early in the process. The hearing on HB 2503 then moved to public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the state responsibility area, where Cal Fire is the lead state entity.
• Federal, state, local, state parks, Cal Fire, Forest Service—you can see it all on our dashboard.
• This part of the state relies, and many parts of the state rely, on fire to remain healthy.
• the state of California has to be the lead in keeping the state of California from burning.
• We will have a state-level director in the United States Forest Service.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Code to establish provisions regarding private insurance coverage and claims for state property
• into by state officers or state agencies; amending Section 74-105, Idaho Code, to exempt certain records
• So are we suggesting that we're going to adjudicate the laws of another state in our state?
• that we're going to adjudicate the laws of another state in our state? Is that what this means?
• states, have already proposed ...note that over 30 states, well over 30 states now, almost three-fourths

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, welcomed a substitute member, and received multiple Senate messages and committee reports. Several bills were introduced and referred, including measures on medical advanced healing, insurance/state property claims, stablecoins, solid waste, public assistance definitions, and foreign ownership of single-family homes. The chamber also advanced a number of bills to second or third reading, and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 32 on energy policy, which urged a focus on baseload energy sources, transmission, ratepayer protection, property rights, and aquifer protection; it passed by voice vote. The House passed a series of bills on the floor, including House Bills 838, 721, 817, 752, 680, 860, 875, 876, 877, 795, 826, 832, 843, and 872, along with Senate Bill 1373. The measures covered topics such as requiring draft policy bills with budget recommendations, plan review timelines for public projects, a mobile cigar business permit, restroom and changing-room restrictions, recorded investigative interviews of child abuse allegations, revisions to medical parental rights and emergency care language, vacancy-based budgeting calculations, the State Board of Education budget, vocational rehabilitation rent, a response to litigation over prior law, honey commission governance, CTE teacher recruitment, homeowners exemption proration, and ballot formatting. Most passed with comfortable margins, though House Bill 875 passed narrowly 35-34 and House Bill 752 drew substantial debate before passing 54-50-1. Debate was especially intense on House Bill 752, with supporters framing it as a protection for women’s privacy and safety and opponents arguing it would criminalize bathroom use and target transgender people. House Bill 875 also drew concern that codifying budget-calculation methods could constrain future budgeting flexibility, while supporters said it would improve transparency and prevent funding vacant positions. House Bill 876, the State Board of Education maintenance budget, prompted criticism over a 6.8% base reduction and warnings about layoffs and program cuts at colleges and universities. House Bill 826, 832, 843, and 872 were all considered under suspended rules and passed, and the House also adopted HJM 18 urging action against geoengineering, with members citing concerns about sky streaks and climate intervention. The House recessed and later returned to continue business, with additional Senate bills and House bills referred for committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests, please rise and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of
• Please rise and join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• Sincerely, Vanna Howard, State Representative, 17th Middlesex.
• Representative Francisco Paulino, and State Representative Estela Reyes.
• After July, making any changes to the state tax code becomes prohibitively difficult and will be extremely

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and outside this building.
• As a state that elects leaders that value diversity, equity, and inclusion in the state of California
• building laws of the state include the unlicensed practice of architecture, landscape architecture,
• to the state of California.
• We have a problem in this state with a number of out-of-control state bureaucracies and commissions like

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Council to talk about possible building code modifications or just help with assistance in getting the
• This is something that's above the code standard in those states. >> Okay. Thank you. Good.
• Council um to talk about you possible uh Council um to talk about you possible uh building<00:45:21.280
• :45:22.960><c> help</c> building code modifications or just help building code modifications or just
• </c> code standard in those states. code standard in those states.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:31:38.800><c> Minnesota</c><01:31:39.520><c> are</c> building in the state of Minnesota are building
• And we must realize that we need to build a vision for the state of Minnesota where everyone is included
• And we must realize that we need to build a vision for the state of Minnesota where everyone is included
• And we must realize that we need to build a vision for the state of Minnesota where everyone is included
• And we must realize that we need to build a vision for the state of Minnesota where everyone is included

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• contract to procure private building code inspection services following states of emergencies.
• contract to procure private building code inspection services following states of emergencies.
• code to pay for construction of a new building for code enforcement.
• A bill to be entitled an act relating to enforcement of the Florida Building Code.
• code to pay for construction of a new building for code enforcement.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• O Street building.
• So the state will come in and inspect the factory building housing as it's being built and after it's
• housing re-inspecting everything that the state has already signed deconstructing the factory build
• By our state inspectors. By our state inspectors. When the home has arrived at the site.
• Jeremy Smith, here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• The amendment is coded A.
• This is also a House File bonding limit for the state armory building commission.
• Armory Building Commission really does set us up for long-term growth.
• Who had a part in the United States' involvement in Vietnam.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, if you're still in the building, you can come out with that.
• If that's the purpose, let's just simply state it as such.
• In the state of New York, for example, similar legislation is making its way through their state legislature
• Oakland Privacy, Public Council, and others.
• The bill doesn't apply to state.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through the states and allowed that." through the states and allowed that."
• Council<01:17:17.440><c> lady,</c> Council lady, Council lady, &gt;&gt; did<01:17:20.000><c> you</c><
• </c> in the state of Wyoming. in the state of Wyoming.
• </c> tribal but state and federal systems. tribal but state and federal systems.
• Um and if you're state.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Leek: ALL THE STAKEHOLDER’S IN THE BUILDING.
• THE CURRENT ROOF TO WALL CONNECTION WOULD BE PART OF THE CURRENT BUILDING CODE.
• BUT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF NOT THE STATE GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT
• Bradley: I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE, THAT'S THE REASON ALL THESE STATES AND A LOT OF US IN THE STATE
• BRIAN SMARR, FLORIDA SPRINGS COUNCIL. IS WITHDRAWN.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All those good things for the state.
• Judy Yee, on behalf of the 450,000 working families in the State Building and Construction Trades Council
• facilities throughout the state.
• Martin Vindioa, on behalf of the California State Pipe Trades Council, in support of Item 2, the Governor's
• The California State Pipe Trades Council supports full funding of this program to ensure development

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Across the state, downtowns are still struggling.
• They're recovering faster here in our state.
• They invest in our state.
• Police, fire, health, buildings, transportation, sanitation, Sanitation, police, fire, health, buildings
• And we reached out to the state to say, how do we ensure that our city and our state is competitive and

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held a hearing titled “Revitalizing California’s Downtowns Through the Nightlife Economy,” focused on how nightlife, arts, entertainment, and late-night transportation can support downtown recovery after the pandemic. Chair Matt Haney framed nightlife as a major economic and cultural sector and said the committee hopes to produce policy, budget, and legislative proposals, building on last year’s downtown recovery bills. The hearing included three panels: nightlife policy experts and a venue owner; representatives from entertainment, tourism, and rideshare; and remote witnesses from London, Philadelphia, and New York discussing how other cities manage 24-hour economies. Witnesses on the first panel emphasized that nightlife is an ecosystem that includes workers, venues, transportation, and public safety. Michael Fishman described the growth of night managers and argued that zoning, licensing, and land costs can either support or choke off creative venues; he also said extending hours can reduce congestion and unsafe spillover if done in a regulated way. Ben Van Houten highlighted San Francisco’s entertainment zones, hospitality zone liquor licenses, Type 90 music venue licenses, and other local reforms, while urging more state coordination and possible tax and licensing changes. Darcy Drolinger of Oasis said independent venues are operating on thin margins, have faced repeated near-closures, and need tools such as extended alcohol service hours to remain viable and preserve community and LGBTQ+ cultural spaces. The second panel focused on tourism, major events, and transportation. Another Planet Entertainment’s Mary Condi said festivals and venues like Outside Lands, the Castro Theatre, and the Fox and Greek theaters draw large numbers of visitors, support hotels and restaurants, and require close coordination with city agencies; she also raised concerns about unexpected possessory interest tax bills and the burden of secondary ticketing and cannabis taxes. Amelia Zamani of Cal Travel said travel and tourism remain a major economic engine and argued that nightlife is central to attracting international visitors, conventions, and major events, especially if California wants to compete with cities that allow later alcohol service. Lyft’s Nicholas Johnson said late-night rides serve workers as well as patrons, reduce DUI risk, and are essential for safe access to downtowns and event venues. In the final panel, officials from London and Philadelphia described their nighttime governance models. London witnesses said the city created a 24-hour city strategy, a night czar, and a nightlife commission, and found that nightlife supports economic activity, workforce retention, and safer, more diverse districts when paired with flexible licensing and better transit. Philadelphia’s Rahim Manning said his city treats the nighttime economy as a major industry, with a $26.2 billion annual impact, and stressed that it includes manufacturing, logistics, health care, transportation, food service, arts, and sports—not just bars and clubs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with committee members asking questions about extended hours, transportation, family-friendly programming, cannabis activation, ticketing, and how California can better support a safe and competitive nighttime economy.