Transcript Highlights:

• helping raise funds.
• are available, whatever federal funds are left, and be able to then create a strong fund development
• So as the CCBHC gets federal funds to meet certain program requirements, those are some of the funding
• creation of ArrayRx, which is a big innovation.
• And then I want to out myself: I helped fund this study as well several years ago, and I stopped funding

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I said, if you increase the funding for one child, the total available funding for all children
• Increase that one child's funding.
• Local funds that are not tied to the funds that we allocate to boards because we set performance targets
• in funding for those facilities.
• Funding this, I don't like to use the term "funding" because it implies we're just giving away money.

Bills: HB74 , HB175 , HB460 , HB576 , HB2271 , HB2294 , HB2874 , HB3016 , HB3133 , HB3191 , HB3458 , HB3929 , HB4063 , HB4115 , HB4394 , HB74 , HB175

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may know, charter schools are tuition-free, publicly funded schools authorized in state law in
• In return, they do face some additional oversight and certain funding restrictions.
• I know that, for example, for Innovation High School, one of the areas that we looked at for special
• And I know I can speak broadly for anything related to innovation, as to the previous comment there,
• I'll back out and speak to the question about innovation.

Summary: The committee meeting began with a brief explanation of the renamed Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee subcommittee, now called the Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits, and a presentation from the State Auditor’s Office on its current biennium performance audit work plan. The auditor described how topics are selected from a large pool of potential audits and highlighted several ongoing or planned audits, including the Liquor and Cannabis Board, oversight of authorized entities serving students with disabilities, the Quality Home Care Initiative, Medicaid managed care versus fee-for-service costs, the Housing Commission tenant ownership follow-up, DSHS vendor payment patterns, implementation of the Since Time Memorial curriculum, and the Washington State ferry system. Members asked about coordination with JLARC to avoid duplication, and the auditor said the offices exchange work plans, monthly updates, and quarterly coordination meetings. The committee then heard the State Auditor’s performance audit on how charter schools identify and support at-risk students. Auditors reviewed four charter schools—Catalyst Public Schools, Innovation High School, Pinnacles Prep, and Rainier Prep—and focused on English language learners, homeless students, and special education students. The audit found the schools met nearly all legal requirements reviewed, with only one area where two schools partially met a language-access requirement. The schools also used several promising practices, including small-group instruction, culturally responsive environments, and multi-tiered systems of support, though the auditors recommended better documentation of procedures to improve consistency. Families interviewed generally reported positive experiences, while noting resource constraints. Committee members asked about how the four schools were selected, whether the audit compared charter populations to home districts, and how MTSS requirements applied to the schools reviewed. The State Auditor’s Office said the sample was chosen for geographic diversity, student population characteristics, and representation from both authorizers, and that K-2 MTSS requirements were not evaluated because they applied to only one school. Representatives from the Charter School Commission and charter school advocates responded positively, emphasizing technical assistance, collaboration, and sharing best practices across schools. Two public testifiers also supported the report and said it highlighted effective practices that could be expanded across charter and traditional public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• So is that no longer funded now, or have you removed that fund?
• I probably was funded before. Mr.
• I am — that's what funds our schools. That's what funds our teachers.
• That's what funds our schools. That's what funds our teachers. I'm not running those bills.
• to fund all of it.

Bills: SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And no country in the world per capita is even close to Israel when it comes to innovation.
• and to... ...appropriated funds to support its retail operations and defines the types of funds to be
• And finally, Section 14 confirms that using funds from the trust fund to improve historic sites applies
• It also requires TSLAC to pay the costs for displaying these documents, using available funds or funds
• appropriated for that purpose. ...documents using available funds or funds appropriated for that purpose

Bills: HB 1240 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB3146 , HB4850 , HB5032 , HCR90

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support ENRIC, so the National Reactor Innovation Center.
• They're all funded, so these are all funded direct three news and filters.
• So they fund it all comes for me.
• It's an innovative ecosystem.
• It's an innovative ecosystem.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm aware also of the Utah Micro Loan Fund.
• What's the difference between what you guys are doing with your fund versus... ...loan fund.
• also trying to fund our small businesses?
• And then finally, the innovation economy.
• Five and a half of that was legislative pass-through, and that includes federal funds, general fund,

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the U.S. historically has been known to innovate and be a leader in innovation.
• </c> historically has been known to innovate historically has been known to innovate um<00:39:42.640>
• And obviously any funds for example.
• </c> technology and digital innovation technology and digital innovation technology<00:58:46.720><c>
• And our budgeting taxpayer funds.

Summary: The Stable Token Study Commission held its first regular meeting, welcomed all remaining appointed members, and completed brief introductions from legislators and agency designees. The chair outlined the commission’s plan to use the first part of the enabling legislation as a “level-setting” discussion, focusing this meeting on the basics of blockchain, the current landscape for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, and leaving blockchain-based trust for a later meeting. No votes were taken. The main presentation came from Deanna Bario Zales of the Global Blockchain Business Council, who described stablecoins as increasingly converging toward fiat-backed or asset-backed models, with algorithmic designs viewed more cautiously. She said stablecoins are being used for payments, remittances, DeFi activity, cross-border transfers, retail use in high-inflation markets, and treasury functions, while noting risks such as peg instability, reserve transparency, counterparty and network risk, and possible capital flight from weaker banking systems. She cited growth in supply, wallet activity, and transfer volume, and said U.S.-pegged stablecoins dominate the market, with USDT and USDC leading. Zales also discussed tokenized real-world assets, describing them as digital representations of physical assets that can enable fractional ownership, liquidity, and faster settlement. She said the market is growing quickly, with institutional participation from firms such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and projected continued expansion. She closed with an overview of regulatory developments, emphasizing the new U.S. stablecoin framework under the Genius Act, the proposed Clarity Act, OCC guidance, and similar regimes in the EU, UK, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, all of which she said are shaping compliance requirements and market development.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> innovate and then when we do innovate innovate and then when we do innovate sharing<00:32:33.399
• /c><01:01:55.319><c> Title</c><01:01:55.599><c> One</c> funds are are title funds Title One funds are
• Starting in fiscal 26, this will have to come from our general fund, the same fund that funds our classrooms
• Again, it's not fully funded.
• Again, it's not fully funded.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Government-funded research is not optional.
• Government-funded research is not optional.
• We are going to fund science.
• Our research supported largely by federal funding Bill ...transmission.
• And I think it's important that we're continuing to fund that research.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Gubernatorial reappointment of Senator Todd Lakey of Nampa to the State Insurance Fund Board.
• And it doesn't take any state funds. It's all funded by the premium that they collect.
• This results in a safer, more robust, and innovative building code for Idaho.
• We're adding Section 510.10 to support affordable and innovative housing in Idaho.
• We're adding section 510.10 to support affordable and innovative housing in Idaho.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• most reliable source of funding.
• </c><00:24:17.600><c> and</c> these types of uh innovative and these types of uh innovative and renewable
• <00:24:59.520><c> part</c><00:24:59.919><c> that's</c> only funding the project part that's only funding
• </c> projects would probably still be funded. projects would probably still be funded.
• </c> a good ROI on those taxpayer funds. a good ROI on those taxpayer funds.

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's a whole, like, rural fund there.
• There is a rural fund, yeah, and 10% of the money gets deposited in that.
• Any city can be a part of it, any jurisdiction that chooses to form an innovation zone.
• Yeah, I can speak more to the Missouri Innovation Zone piece than the Modessa piece.
• ...is six years outside of the innovation zones, and then it matches the sunset within the innovation

Summary: The Legislative Rules Committee held a public hearing and then executive session on Senate Bill 1694, along with related Senate Bill 1688, which together would modernize and expand the Missouri Downtown and Rural Economic Stimulus Act (MODESA). Senator Steve Roberts said the bills would increase flexibility for redevelopment projects, broaden financing tools, extend timelines, and expand residential incentives, with no general fund risk. Supporters, including lobbyists for the Cordish Companies, the City of Kansas City, the City of St. Louis, Greater St. Louis Inc., Historic Revitalization for Missouri, and BioSTL/Next Missouri, argued the program has already helped transform downtown Kansas City and St. Louis and could spur major redevelopment such as Ballpark Village, Power & Light, the Millennium Hotel area, the AT&T Tower, and the Railway Exchange Building. They emphasized private investment, local control, and the potential to bring vacant buildings back onto the tax rolls. One witness, the state public advocate, opposed SB 1694, arguing it would create more bureaucracy and political subdivisions, rely on tax abatements and TIF-like tools, and shift costs to taxpayers. Committee members asked questions about the bill’s residential language, the history of MODESA projects, the fiscal note, and whether the incentives could apply to other downtown sites. Supporters clarified that the committee substitute removed a proposed income-tax incentive, reduced some escalators, and retained a voluntary, opt-in structure for cities. The chair also noted that stadiums themselves are excluded, though surrounding areas may qualify. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and voted 10-0 to do pass the House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1694 and 1688. The committee then voted 8-2 to do pass Senate Substitute Number 2 for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Brown, and 8-0 with two present votes to do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 889, which the chair described as a large cleanup bill removing obsolete statutes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the net new revenues approved for disbursement from the state supplemental downtown development fund
• I think there's a whole, like, rural fund. There is a rural fund.
• Yeah, I can speak more to the Missouri Innovation Zone piece than the Modessa piece.
• The sunset is six years outside of the innovation zones, and then it matches the sunset within the innovation
• Innovation zones. Thank you. Any further questions of this witness by the committee?

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these innovations include the creation of Genetically engineered insulin, providing safe and
• We'll be covering sustainable aviation fuel tax credits, greenhouse gas reduction fund expenditure plan
• achievements was leading the successful 1976 campaign in Santa Clara County dedicated to transit funding
• This funding plan was the first of its kind in California and definitely laid the financial foundation
• During that time, Rod successfully bolstered statewide support for a bond intended to fund California's

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several floor recognitions. Members honored the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team for their championship season, and the chamber also recognized the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees for work on homelessness, education, youth civic engagement, community college success, and mental health. Individual awardees highlighted included Chris Chapman, Leanne Chun, Darla Cooper, Virgil Moorhead Jr. and Amy Matheson, Adrian Hillman and Aaron Garner Ford, and Selina Alvarez. The Senate also welcomed former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios Perez and later heard committee and budget subcommittee announcements. On legislation, the body considered and passed Senate Resolution 88 by Senator Blakespear, commemorating the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation. The resolution emphasized California’s role in biotech innovation and the industry’s economic and public health impact. The Senate also passed Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez, recognizing April 14–16 as Khmer New Year and celebrating Cambodian American culture, especially in Long Beach. The chamber confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, and Steven Pennelli to the Contractors State License Board; Jacob Arkavakotov to the Medical Board of California; and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai to the Medical Board of California. All confirmations were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also suspended a rule to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline, and later announced that the next floor session would be held on Monday, April 13, 2026. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with extended remarks from Senators Cortese, Wahab, and Becker describing his long public service, leadership on transportation and environmental issues, and lasting influence in Santa Clara County and beyond.

Transcript Highlights:

• , that fund gets swept and it goes back to general revenue.
• The way it's written here, it stays in that fund. The way it's written here, it stays in that fund.
• The API Innovation Center is located in St.
• We need to be vigilant in what we're doing with the funds.
• That goes back into the general fund every year.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The increased revenue goes into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes
• :29.920><c> programs</c><00:11:30.320><c> that</c><00:11:30.440><c> we</c><00:11:30.600><c> do</c> fund
• the programs that we do fund the programs that we do Mahalo<00:11:33.920><c> thank</c><00:11:34.079>
• Angela Melody Young, in strong support of the appropriation of funds.
• </c><00:35:32.400><c> Hawaii</c> bill um you know our innovate Hawaii bill um you know our innovate Hawaii

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism, Housing, and Economic Development and Technology began with House Bill 604, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by 1 percentage point starting January 1, 2026 and direct the revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a source of consistent funding, while the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed it, warning that Hawaii already has very high tourism taxes and that further increases could hurt visitors, workers, and the broader economy. The committees later voted to pass HB 604 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date; the vote was adopted, with one member noted as having reservations in the housing committee vote and one no vote in that committee. The committees then heard House Bill 973, which would require transient accommodations brokers and others to display all resort fees, taxes, and government-imposed charges upfront in advertised prices and would establish penalties. The Office of Consumer Protection expressed concerns about the bill’s intent requirement and noted a forthcoming federal FTC rule on junk fees; the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the measure as promoting transparency and uniformity, and a public witness also supported price transparency while questioning the size of the penalties. After questions about federal rescission of the FTC rule and enforcement authority, the committees voted to pass HB 973 with amendments as an HD1, including removal of the intent requirement and technical changes, and the recommendation was adopted unanimously. House Bill 594, relating to hotel service disruptions, would require hotel keepers to give notice of disruptions to guests and third-party vendors and allow damages. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to add a purpose section and savings clause to address First Amendment and contract clause issues, and Unite Here Local 5 supported the bill, saying guests are not always notified of disruptions and that the measure would improve transparency; the union agreed with the legal amendments. The committees voted to pass HB 594 with amendments as an HD1 and to defer the date, adopting the recommendation. The final measures were House Bill 448 and House Bill 449, both related to technology enablement and economic development for small businesses, including tourism-related businesses. HTDC strongly supported both bills but emphasized that technology should be targeted to the actual problem and coordinated with sister agencies rather than applied broadly; the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce also supported HB 448, and HB 449 received support from HTDC and HFIA. The committees adopted amendments to HB 448, including moving a $250,000 appropriation to the committee report, and to HB 449, including deleting duplicative language tied to HB 448 and moving a $500,000 appropriation to the committee report; both bills were passed as HD1s with deferred dates, and the hearing adjourned after the votes were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Always the answer to the question is more state funding.
• But there are other projects like that one that we also need to fund.
• So I'm thinking innovation funds, right, for the technologies and the projects that are coming online
• So I'm thinking innovation funds, right, for the technologies and the projects that are coming online
• So I'm thinking innovation funds, right, for the technologies and the projects that are coming online

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on the impacts of rising seas on coastal infrastructure, pollution, public health, access, and local economies, with an emphasis on San Diego and broader statewide examples. Chair Tasha Boerner opened by describing sea level rise, flooding, bluff collapse, and the state’s sea level rise action planning, and noted her prior bills that helped launch a Scripps bluff-collapse early warning pilot. Panel one featured Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps and Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, who described accelerating sea level rise, groundwater rise, flooding, erosion, and risks to sewage, transportation, ports, and contaminated sites. Gibson stressed that agencies are already adapting through permits, climate resolutions, stormwater updates, and infrastructure planning, but said the work will require major funding, better mapping, and streamlined permitting. Members then discussed early warning systems, groundwater inundation, federal funding uncertainty, and how state authority might fill gaps left by changing federal clean water rules. Boerner and Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza highlighted that sea level rise affects inland communities too, and asked about local mapping, long-term planning, and the cost of protecting or relocating vulnerable infrastructure. Former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the city had the maps and plans but needed money, and urged faster permitting and more investment in protective projects. The panel also discussed the tension between environmental mitigation and urgent adaptation, with Gibson suggesting expanded mitigation banks and state revolving fund support, while Boerner and others noted the need to prioritize projects that protect communities and public health over bureaucratic delay. Panel two shifted to public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described outdoor equity work that introduces children and families, especially from historically excluded communities, to the ocean and teaches water safety and stewardship. He said sea level rise, pollution, and access restrictions threaten cultural continuity and free community programs, especially in places like Imperial Beach and the Tijuana River Valley. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission described how sea level rise threatens Bay Area tourism, airports, roads, ports, and neighborhoods built on fill, estimating roughly $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses if no action is taken. She said BCDC is working under SB 272 on regional shoreline adaptation plans, local government coordination, and regulatory innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained funding and science. In the final panel, the Port of San Diego’s Philip Gibbons began describing the port’s climate adaptation work, including vulnerabilities to king tides, storm drain backflow, and long-term inundation that could affect roads, buildings, terminals, and parks. He said the port is using climate planning to assess risks and prepare for sea level rise while maintaining maritime commerce, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The hearing ended with a shared call for more funding, better data, streamlined permitting, and coordinated state, local, and federal action to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Idaho Cat Fund helped counties pay the really big bills. The Cat Fund had no federal help.
• I have a display of companies in Idaho that invest in such innovations.
• Section 41 is an incentive for companies to increase their investment in innovation.
• If a company is increasing their investments in innovation, then the credit stays in play.
• And from a fiscal standpoint, Medicaid-funded mental health services are among...

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 841 focuses on the Construction Trust Fund.
• Over 30 years ago, this Texas Construction Trust Fund Act was established.
• beneficiary to assign their interest in unpaid funds.
• . the funds.
• We're a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit; all of our funds go back to our members.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce