Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why he actually provided us data two years ago, indicating that this would probably fail,
• They filed subpoenas for the taxpayer's bank. "Give us the financing documents."
• The end-use increment creates a shockwave for taxpayers when a penny of taxation is banked as levied.
• Speaking on behalf of my own county and the County Judges and Commissioners Association, I failed to
• If we need to reform it, maybe you shouldn't take all three banked years in one year.

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just have a little trouble thinking that we're failing kids because we're not doing this more.
• That's what it feels like to me is that we're failing in all these areas, and I could go through and
• I certainly don't think that we're failing our kids.
• So you know, we both feel we're failing in a lot of ways, but that's not my main motivation or my main
• The bank robber Willie Sutton said way back in the 1930s that when he was asked why he robbed banks,

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Alvarado, Bateman, Banke, Braun, Chapman, Chapman, Chapman, Christian, Cleveland.
• all be financial literacy, you could say, with some of it, because there are other factors there, failed
• Banke. Braun. Chapman. Chapman. Christian. Cleveland.
• Alvarado, Bateman, aye, Banke, Braun, Chapman, Chapman, Chapman, Chapman, Christian, Cleveland, Conway
• certain direction, they have to temper that aluminum, and it's consistently checked, and if it even fails

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several bills, many of them after moving substitutes and suspending the rules to advance them directly to final passage. Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, was described as a civic engagement measure that would require county auditors and the Secretary of State to work with federally recognized tribes and explore a secure voting portal. Supporters emphasized outreach, access, and helping overseas and disabled voters; opponents raised concerns about online voting security, paper ballot integrity, and emerging technologies. The bill passed 38-19. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, which statutorily establishes the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs, passed unanimously 49-0 after supporters said it would formally anchor an office that has existed for decades and better reflect the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6247, on school district financial management and training, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was adopted to delay implementation and clarify funding for training. Supporters said the bill would help school boards, superintendents, and ESDs identify districts sliding toward financial distress and improve fiscal oversight. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 5922, giving school districts more flexibility to transfer unused school bus depreciation funds when declining enrollment means replacement buses may not be needed, and Senate Bill 6278, requiring ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs so training better matches classroom needs; both passed with broad support. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6246, concerning emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act, drew the most extended debate and passed 27-22 after a striking amendment was adopted and a proposed reporting amendment was rejected. Supporters said it creates a framework for future emissions allowance reductions while protecting jobs and competitiveness; opponents warned it would drive mills and other industrial employers out of Washington. The Senate also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5906, the SAFE Act limiting ICE access to non-public areas of schools, colleges, health care facilities, daycares, and similar sites without a warrant, after adopting amendments related to model policies and union notification; supporters framed it as a safety and due process measure, while opponents called it an attempt to obstruct federal law enforcement. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5905, addressing PERS membership for certain port workers in federal railroad retirement plans, passed 49-0 as a technical pension fix.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it purely up to each bank to decide?
• </c> what the bank has discovered. what the bank has discovered.
• Miss Rice, the bank sets it up.
• Some banks are how they want to do it.
• </c> time they can put the money in the bank time they can put the money in the bank for<01:09:48.719

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Visa and MasterCard fix interchange fee rates on behalf of the banks, so the banks don't have to compete
• is community banks and state charter banks who have decided. to call California their home, who would
• banks.
• banking card.
• Access to banking is crucial.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Banks. Bear. Brady. Braggins. Brown, Gary. Brown, Landon. Byron. Campbell, Alyssa. Campbell, Kevin.
• Alamand Alamand Alamand Andrew Andrew Andrew Angelos Angelos Angelos Banks Banks Banks Bear Bear Bear
• </c> Allemand Allemand Allemand Andrew Andrew Andrew Angelos Angelos Angelos Banks Banks Banks Bear Bear
• Banks, I know further changes. Strack? I know further changes. Weber? Weber? Weber?
• Banks?<01:56:10.400><c> I</c><01:56:10.920><c> to</c><01:56:11.080><c> know</c> Banks?

Transcript Highlights:

• We go to major banks, insurance companies, and other groups that have tax liability here in the state
• accounts, or... ...investment management, use of suspense accounts, or, sorry, suspense accounts, bank
• treasurer is: they're the bank for... ...explain as a bank examiner, because that's what a county treasurer
• is: they're the bank for all these special taxing districts, school districts, the county itself.
• failing: because we haven't invested in them.

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> over to Dalton Banks, my co-chairman. over to Dalton Banks, my co-chairman.
• </c> Representative Banks Representative Banks &gt;&gt; here?
• :18:12.480><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Chairman Banks, members of the &gt;&gt; Chairman Banks, members of the
• They did not fail here.
• They did not fail here.

Bills: SF0069 , SF0070 , SF0016 , HB0078 , HJ0002 , HB0085 , HB0086

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• flavored tobacco products imposes civil fines and retail license consequences for businesses that fail
• Even though we are detained, our bills, banks, and taxes do not wait for us.
• Even though we are detained, our bills, banks, and taxes do not wait for us.
• Even though we are detained, our bills, banks, and taxes do not wait for us.
• Kay Buck said that exploitation only thrives when systems fail.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills and one resolution, with testimony largely focused on public safety, criminal justice, and victim/survivor protections. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sale of larger nitrous oxide canisters to curb youth misuse and impaired driving; supporters included prosecutors, local officials, cities, counties, and environmental groups, while the ACLU opposed the bill unless amended to rely on regulation rather than criminal penalties. Members raised concerns about overbreadth and possible amendments, but the author said the bill would be narrowed and emphasized it would not create jail time, only escalating fines. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would cap commissary markups in private federal immigration detention facilities, mirroring a prior prison commissary law; it drew strong support from immigrant justice advocates and civil rights groups, with no opposition heard, and members expressed support for the measure. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and greater transparency for survivors. The author and CAST testified in support, emphasizing survivor trauma and accountability; one committee member voiced concern that the resolution could imply facts not yet established and said he would likely abstain, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile hall and would favor less restrictive alternatives; supporters included youth defenders, former system-involved youth, and many advocacy organizations, while probation and district attorneys opposed it, arguing it would limit judicial discretion, strain resources, and could jeopardize public safety. Members were split, with some emphasizing the harms of detention and others warning about home-environment risks and implementation challenges. AB 46 by Assembly Member Nguyen would revise mental health diversion law to give judges clearer authority to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Support came from prosecutors, probation, and crime survivors who described cases where diverted defendants later committed serious violence; opposition from public defenders and civil rights groups argued that judges already have discretion, diversion is rarely granted, and the bill would reduce access to treatment and worsen outcomes. The author said the bill was a balanced compromise developed with stakeholders. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegean would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days; supporters from Brady and youth gun-violence prevention groups cited accidental shootings and child deaths, and the author noted possible future amendments on timing for new residents. Throughout the hearing, the chair repeatedly noted the committee lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• MTRS failed to do this for its members, and this is our opportunity to fix it once and for all.
• So when my first paycheck landed in my inbox, I walked to a bank and did as he said.
• In the last 11 years, I have twice visited the West Bank with a Boston nonprofit and have...
• When these means fail, the machine gun can always be utilized as a last resort.
• It's repeated, Of the people living in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs. The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Deborah Banks.
• Many failed to establish required policies or had none at all.
• Many failed to establish required policies or had none at all.
• I mean, when I call my own bank, if you get through to a bank, you go through several steps to identify
• If you get through to a bank, you go through several steps to identify yourself, which I trust the bank

Summary: The committee heard several AI- and consumer-protection-related bills, with extensive testimony from authors, supporters, and industry opponents. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would create transparency requirements for large AI developers, including disclosure of safety and security protocols, reporting of critical safety incidents, whistleblower protections, and the CalCompute public cloud. Supporters said it is a narrower, transparency-based follow-up to last year’s vetoed AI safety bill, while opponents argued it still relies too much on company size, could expose trade secrets, and should be narrowed further. The committee approved SB 53 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify the FTC’s Cars Rule and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases, along with stronger disclosure rules on pricing, add-ons, and government affiliation claims. Supporters said it would save consumers money and time and help buyers avoid bad deals, while dealer and industry groups said amendments addressed many of their concerns. Several former opponents moved to neutral, and the committee passed SB 766 unanimously as amended to Appropriations. SB 7 by Senator McNerney would regulate automated decision-making systems in employment by requiring notice, human review for discipline and termination, and limits on predictive behavior analysis. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or overly automated workplace decisions, while employer and industry groups raised concerns about scope, notice burdens, and the predictive-analysis ban. The committee passed SB 7 to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote, with the roll held open. SB 833, also by Senator McNerney, would require human oversight of AI used in critical infrastructure, along with training and system assessments; it drew limited opposition focused on scope, and the committee passed it as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote, also holding the roll open. Later, the committee took up SB 11, which would address AI-generated voice, image, and video cloning and deepfakes by clarifying likeness protections, requiring consumer warnings, and addressing misuse and evidence tampering. Supporters framed it as a targeted response to nonconsensual deepfakes, while industry groups said recent amendments improved the bill but still had concerns about penalties and warning language. The committee also heard SB 720, the Safer Streets Act, which would let cities opt into a revised red-light camera system that shifts from driver to owner liability, removes facial identification, makes violations civil rather than criminal, and directs revenue toward transportation safety projects; the author presented the bill, but the transcript ends before any final action on SB 720.

Transcript Highlights:

• Banks excused.
• Banks excused.
• Banks excused.
• Banks.<04:29:04.239><c> Excused</c><04:29:04.800><c> to</c><04:29:05.760><c> I.</c> Banks.
• Banks. Excused to I.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, Dickie Shiner and Carla Banks with the Wyoming Department of Education.
• Sorry. >> Banks. >> Banks. >> Banks. Ms. [laughter] Banks. Apologies. Um, we get a lot of names.
• Banks, just one quick question... Ms. Banks, just one quick question for you.
• Who the heck knows where that would fail.
• Banks, Banks, um, on that.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• Acting on behalf of Senator Townsend, I am calling the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
• I am calling the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee to order as temporary chair
• You may also submit comments in writing to the Banking, Business, Insurance and Technology Committee
• Chairman, Vice Chair, and members of the Banking Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify.
• Chairman, members of the Bank Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

Bills: HB373

Committee: Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology

Summary: The Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee met in hybrid format and heard testimony on several bills. HB 373, as amended, would regulate hemp-derived THC-infused beverages by defining the products, limiting them to 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per container, restricting sales to package stores and licensed marijuana retail stores, requiring testing and labeling, and imposing a 50-cent per container tax; the sponsor said the bill is intended to create guardrails and protect youth, and a wholesaler representative testified in support. HB 398 would allow racinos to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and remove local authority to require earlier closing times; the sponsor and Bally’s representative said it would help Delaware remain competitive and increase revenue, and no opposition was heard. HB 433 would let municipalities and counties extend last call for bars, restaurants, and clubs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; a witness from Connect Delaware supported it as a competitiveness and retention measure, emphasizing that it is permissive rather than mandatory. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 441, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks/crypto ATMs in Delaware and require existing machines to be removed within 90 days. The sponsor and supporters, including AARP, the Delaware Department of Justice, and the League of Women Voters, argued the machines are heavily used in scams, especially against older adults, and that regulation has not been effective. CoinFlip opposed the bill, saying it is a regulated operator, that the fraud statistics are overstated or incomplete, and that Delaware should instead adopt a regulatory framework and amendment. HB 465 would update the criminal code to formally define virtual currency and incorporate it into theft, money laundering, racketeering, and search-and-seizure provisions; the sponsor said it would align Delaware law with modern crypto-related crimes, and no opposition was presented. The committee then heard HB 467, which would prevent landlords from requiring renters to buy insurance from a specific company while still allowing them to require coverage meeting lease terms; the sponsor described it as a consumer-choice bill and there was no public opposition. HB 435 would require payment parity for certified registered nurse anesthetists and physicians when the same services are provided; the sponsor, nurse anesthetists, the Delaware Health Care Association, the Department of Insurance, and ChristianaCare supported it as a workforce and access-to-care measure, with no opposition. Finally, HS 1 for HB 450, the Road DE Act, would overhaul permitting and traffic-impact review, emphasize peak-hour traffic, set density standards in growth areas, create a transportation impact fee, and direct some revenue to open space, farmland, and coastal restoration; realtors, builders, environmental groups, engineers, and GEAR supported it as a way to speed permitting, reduce sprawl, and improve infrastructure planning. The committee adjourned after public comment; no votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We go to major banks, insurance companies, and other groups that have tax liability here in the state
• Chairman, members, happy to answer any questions. ...suspense accounts, bank reconciliations, receipts
• They're the bank for all these special taxing districts, school districts, the county itself.
• So when you say, well, this is great because our public schools... ...are failing, well, we know why
• they're failing because we haven't invested in them.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public monies from being used for genetic sequencing procedures involving devices made by companies owned or substantially controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was no public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2804, which creates a rural development and housing tax credit capped at $2 million per year and tied to federal low-income housing tax credit projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Flagstaff mayor, and housing investors/developers, argued it would leverage private capital to address rural affordable housing shortages, especially for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, hard to oversee, and can add complexity and higher per-unit costs. The bill passed 13-4 with one not voting. HB 2388, as amended, appropriates $100,000 for the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study would help Arizona plan for energy demand and data center growth, while opponents argued the agency should use existing funds instead of a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 10-7 with one not voting. The committee also received a presentation from the Auditor General on county treasurer procedural reviews, including the response to the Santa Cruz County treasurer embezzlement case and the office’s ramp-up plan for reviews and staffing. Later, the committee approved HB 2352, which appropriates $2,385,900 in FY2029 to make the Auditor General’s county treasurer review funding ongoing. Members supporting the bill said the office needs certainty to plan audits and retain staff, while opponents objected to funding it so far in advance during budget uncertainty. The bill passed 11-7. The committee also approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five county sheriff task forces in Cochise, Coconino, Navajo, Pinal, and Yuma counties; supporters said it codifies the long-standing distribution practice, and it passed 17-1. Finally, the committee heard HB 2499, which would provide $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration; supporters argued the program’s rapid growth requires more staff for enrollment, reviews, and accountability, while members questioned the lack of standardized testing data and how to measure student outcomes. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on HB 2499.

Transcript Highlights:

• very limited today, so I'm only going to tell you that the regulatory function in California has failed
• Shields indicated, is failing to do, is just as important.
• potentially leverage this model, including the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank
• Among other opportunities in that role, I led the effort of the bank in its transmission engagement in
• Not sitting here at the moment, I couldn't, but it is true that I-Bank has, and other state agencies

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not talking about failing public schools.
• I drive by one every day coming into Little Rock that is a failing school, and they have some of the
• They continue to not raise reading scores, to let kids fail, to pass them on, and not make changes.
• They continue to not raise reading scores, to let kids fail, to pass them on, and not make changes.
• Pretty good track record of failing public schools in the beginning.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first heard the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Dr. Carlos Silva reported gross collections of $4.02 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, up slightly from the prior year, with net available for distribution also above last year and still above forecast despite a small monthly decline tied to higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, the possible effects of tariffs on state revenues, and broader economic indicators such as inflation and unemployment. The meeting then moved into committee reports, including approval of the Executive Committee’s waiver request for the Van Buren School District, the Administrative Rules Subcommittee report, the Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities report, and the Occupational Licensing Review report. The PEER Subcommittee report prompted extended debate over a Department of Agriculture grant for Central Arkansas Water and whether a Perry County property acquisition should remain in the request. After discussion, the report was adopted. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Education and the Educational Freedom Account appropriation. Members debated whether the program diverts money from public schools, whether homeschool and private-school expenses are comparable, and whether the program should be funded separately or held for further review. Motions were made to separate or remove the $32 million EFA item, but those motions failed, and the report was ultimately adopted. Members also discussed public-school funding levels, enrollment declines, literacy outcomes, and accountability. The council then approved additional reports and rule filings, including items from DFA, the Insurance Department, the Economic Development Commission, the Division of Environmental Quality, and the Division of Parks, before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We sold the bank for the maximum amount of money we could get at this time.
• </c><00:59:57.599><c> I</c><00:59:58.000><c> I</c> if you look at the metrics of banks.
• I I if you look at the metrics of banks.
• I will take a little speculation here and say that banks started to devalue after Silicon Valley Bank
• Silicon Bank uh Silicon Valley after Silicon Bank uh Silicon Valley Bank<01:00:49.760><c> and</c><01:

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The joint Senate committees heard HB 108 HD2, which would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require liquor commissions to adopt rules. Most testimony came from craft brewers and distillers in support, who said the bill would help small and fragile producers reach customers, move limited or specialty products that wholesalers do not carry, and maintain relationships with visitors after they leave Hawaii. Supporters also argued that direct-to-consumer shipping would not meaningfully increase underage access because common carriers age-gate deliveries and require adult signatures, and that the measure would supplement rather than replace the three-tier system. Opposition came from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which said the bill could create problems with minor access and tax revenue and would allow out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households. Supporters responded that similar concerns were raised when wine direct shipping was adopted and said the existing shipping and reporting systems can track and tax these sales. Several witnesses, including Maui Brewing, Ola Brew, Koloa Rum, Hana Rum, Koulana Rumworks, Koval Distillery, and the Brewers Association, described their small-batch operations, limited distribution options, and the potential for direct shipping to expand sales and jobs. Committee members questioned witnesses about underage access, tax collection, and the impact on the three-tier system. One witness discussed efforts to protect and potentially scale the Hawaiian spirit Okolehao through geographic and sourcing rules. The transcript does not show a final vote or disposition on HB 108 HD2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Schumake, Ranking Member Banke, and committee members.
• Senator Banke. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I have money for Peter. Oh, we got it.
• Well, I live in a failed... ...out of it. How could we have mitigated this?
• Well, I live in a failed airport package house.
• Only the Port of Seattle and SFO are even looking at redressing failed noise packages.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 5652 would require the University of Washington, Commerce, the King County Department of Public Health, and the Port of Seattle to study and mitigate aviation-related air quality and noise impacts around Sea-Tac, create a work group and grant program, address failed noise insulation “port packages,” and require a state auditor review. The sponsor and supporters from affected cities and community groups described serious health and quality-of-life harms from airport noise and pollution, while the Port of Seattle, Washington Public Ports Association, and AWB opposed the bill, arguing it would impose new mandates, raise cost and governance concerns, and interfere with airport operations. Testimony on the bill was reopened after other business and then closed; no vote was taken. SB 6124 would direct Commerce to study an appliance affordability index that would consider repairability, maintenance, recyclability, performance life, and related factors. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help consumers compare lifetime costs and repair options, drawing on family experience with durable appliances. Consumer and environmental advocates supported the idea as a way to improve transparency and encourage repairable products, while industry groups opposed a state-specific index, warning it would create a patchwork of standards and compliance burdens. The hearing closed after testimony, with no action reported. SB 5466 would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, give it powers to support transmission development and, in some cases, acquire property and own or sell transmission projects, and provide a SEPA categorical exemption for certain transmission upgrades with tribal and resource-protection conditions. Supporters from clean energy, labor, utilities, and state agencies said the bill is needed to expand grid capacity, improve reliability, speed clean energy interconnection, and create jobs, though many asked for bonding or financing authority and refinements to the exemption language. Some utilities and business groups supported parts of the bill but opposed state ownership or said the authority should focus more on permitting and coordination; others raised concerns about ratepayer risk and duplication. The hearing closed after extensive testimony, with no vote announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Promoting unprepared students fails them and our state.
• students fails them and our state. state. state.
• You are going to break the bank." And now we're here.
• </c><00:10:03.840><c> And</c> You are going to break the bank."
• These have failed in the past.

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press event focused on school safety, student performance, and relief from what they described as burdensome mandates on districts. Sen. Zach Duckworth promoted the SHIELD Act, which would provide grant funding through the Minnesota School Safety Center for security upgrades such as access controls, ballistic-resistant materials, mass notification systems, and staff training. He also highlighted other education bills, including measures to require parental and teacher notification of violent incidents within 24 hours, allow short removals after serious incidents in K-3 classrooms, expand retention and intervention policies for students not meeting grade level, and increase parental access to curriculum materials and consent for sex education. Duckworth said the school safety proposal has bipartisan support and argued schools should have flexible, locally driven tools to protect students. Sen. Julia Coleman and other Republicans framed the agenda as a response to classroom violence, learning loss, and a lack of transparency. Coleman said teachers and parents are seeing serious problems firsthand and argued that schools should not hide violent incidents. She described Senate File 676 as a notification and anti-retaliation bill, and said Senate File 4023 would give schools a brief reset after serious incidents in early grades. She also backed the transparency bill requiring parental review of curriculum and written consent for sex education. The group repeatedly argued that schools, parents, and teachers should be prioritized over what they called political secrecy or overreach. Sen. Jason Rarick focused on school finance, saying new state mandates have left districts in deficit despite prior funding increases. He discussed bills to expand safe school aid to nonpublic schools, increase staffing at the Minnesota School Safety Center, expand counselor funding for nonpublic students to K-6, and conform state law to federal tax credits that could support scholarships and tutoring. Sen. Carla Nelson Housley argued that more than 60 unfunded mandates have strained districts and said Senate File 3361 would temporarily let districts transfer funds between accounts and opt out of certain new mandates from 2023-24, with public board discussion and votes. In the question period, Republicans also discussed the governor’s supplemental budget, fraud enforcement, possible bonding for IT upgrades, and potential tax and child care credit changes, while emphasizing they want bipartisan cooperation on fraud and school safety but oppose new taxes and what they called harmful mandates.