Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is a deterrence. Uh, I don't think it's fair to say that prison isn't a deterrence.
• Um, it is a deterrence. Uh, I isn't fun. Um, it is a deterrence.
• It's why that prison isn't a deterrence.
• Um, and I appreciate that you agree that deterrence is the reason.
• Um, so the penalty certainly is a component to deterrence. That's basic.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• That was $7 billion and a third of their nuclear delivery capability gone in an hour.
• However, with the number of drones we continue to see in our airspace, the deterrent factor just isn't
• However, with the number of drones we continue to see in our airspace, the deterrent factor just isn't

Summary: The Select Committee on Homeland and Border Security convened with a quorum, adopted its standard committee rules, and began its interim work on the charge of keeping Texas skies safe. Members introduced staff and emphasized the committee’s focus on drone threats, border security, fuel trafficking, critical infrastructure, and public safety. The chair outlined that the committee would hear invited and public testimony over the interim to evaluate current law and recommend legislative action for the next session. The first invited witness, Dr. Michael McGee, gave extensive testimony on the rapid spread of drone technology and the difficulty of detecting and countering drones across multiple threat tiers. He argued that criminal organizations and hostile actors already use drones for surveillance, smuggling, and attacks, and that Texas now has new federal authority to counter drones but lacks enough trained personnel and statewide capacity. He recommended expanding Texas training pipelines, creating a statewide task force led by DPS, building a shared statewide data picture, pursuing federal and state coordination, and supporting lower-cost sensor development and Texas-based manufacturing. Members questioned him about airport vulnerabilities, critical infrastructure costs, commercial delivery drones, and the need for universal protection against evolving threats. A Texas Department of Public Safety panel then described current drone and counter-drone operations. DPS officials said drones are widely used for crash reconstruction, search and rescue, tactical overwatch, and critical infrastructure monitoring, while counter-UAS capabilities remain limited and layered, with only a small number of officers certified through the FBI’s two-week counter-drone course. They said DPS used federal coordination and grant-funded equipment successfully during FIFA-related events and is developing regional counter-UAS teams, but state law still needs updates on FAA alignment, weapons on drones, critical infrastructure definitions, altitude restrictions, sporting venues, and public education. The panel also described DPS’s drone first responder program, including rooftop-launched drones at the Capitol, the Alamo, and other sites, and said current mitigation authority depends on federal certification, policies, and coordination with FAA and air traffic control; without mitigation authority, officers mainly rely on visual detection and ground teams to locate operators.

Transcript Highlights:

• focused on in SB 53 are more catastrophic risks, whether around chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear
• But this requirement is a strong deterrent, and many purchasers are unable to make the additional purchase
• a penalty fine, which I think I support, I'm just wondering whether you think that's enough of a deterrent

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills on consumer protection, privacy, AI, and employment technology. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would require large AI developers to disclose safety and security protocols, report serious incidents quickly, and create CalCompute and whistleblower protections; supporters said it is a transparency-based, narrower follow-up to SB 1047, while industry groups opposed unless amended over concerns about size-based thresholds, trade secrets, and security. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify FTC car-sales rules and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases; testimony was broadly supportive, and several dealer and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The committee also heard SB 7 by Senator McNerney, which would require notice and human oversight for automated decision-making in employment, and SB 833 by the same author, which would require human review and monitoring for AI use in critical infrastructure; both drew support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition or concerns from business and public-sector groups about scope and compliance. The committee also began hearing SB 11 on AI-generated voice/image/video cloning and nonconsensual deepfakes, with supporters backing consumer warnings and liability rules and opponents seeking narrower language and lower penalties. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance innovation with safety, with supporters arguing California should act where Congress has not, and opponents urging narrower definitions, stronger trade-secret protections, and more limited enforcement. On SB 53, committee members praised the author’s outreach but noted the bill still needs work; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion with seven votes and held open for absent members. SB 766 received unanimous support after amendments and was reported out 9-0. SB 7 and SB 833 were both advanced on do-pass motions but were left open with only partial vote counts at the time of the hearing. The committee later recessed and returned to continue the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our nuclear work group.
• When we start getting nuclear applications, we are going to need more personnel.
• We have our nuclear<00:50:39.400><c> work</c><00:50:39.600><c> group.
• When we start nuclear work group.
• > we</c><00:50:43.440><c> are</c> getting nuclear applications, we are getting nuclear applications,

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• You want a nuclear power plant or a wastewater treatment plant in a conservation area?
• You want a nuclear power plant or a wastewater treatment plant in a conservation area?
• The bill restores real deterrence by making the operation of illegal gambling houses and leasing space
• The bill restores real deterrence by making the operation of illegal gambling houses and leasing space

Bills: S0036 , S0620 , S0796 , S0934 , S1080 , S1096 , S1366 , S1536 , S1548 , S1580 , S1588 , S1620 , S1756 , S7034 , S7044

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we're talking about, there's conversations about expanding nuclear projects.
• of this committee, you know, we're talking about, there's, you know, conversations about expanding nuclear
• So, for example, in the Southeast, there were a couple of nuclear plants that were being built, and there
• Your utilities had invested in nuclear and coal-fired assets, and those served you really well for a
• local people within the state, is that determined by what kind of power plants we're using—coal, oil, nuclear

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• Nuclear as well? So in the RETA Act, the answer to that is no.
• So nuclear is not within the definition of renewable, but it only counts for 30% of our projects.
• I believe they said the only way they could do that, at least nationwide, was with nuclear.
• But when it comes to potential generation in the state, I know that nuclear power plants are expensive—right
• State-supported transmission does not become a tool for privatized power networks dependent on nuclear

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And um, I'm a huge supporter of nuclear power.
• 00:10:49.760><c> huge</c><00:10:50.080><c> supporter</c><00:10:50.560><c> of</c><00:10:50.680><c> nuclear
• </c> I'm a uh huge supporter of nuclear I'm a uh huge supporter of nuclear power.<00:10:51.360><c> I<
• power and that's career in uh nuclear power and that's one<00:10:55.600><c> of</c><00:10:55.680><c>
• And nuclear is certainly a potential way to do that.

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that comparison just demonstrates how much the deterrent value of some of these penalties has changed
• I don't think that it is a deterrent for people that are to continue to break the law anyway.
• It's going to sting, and that's the deterrent effect of a higher fine.
• A large fine that is rarely enforced will have limited deterrent value.
• So that actually does have an impact on deterrence.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that it is a deterrent for people that are to continue to break the law anyway.
• I don't think that it is a deterrent for people that are to continue to break the law anyway.
• It's going to sting, and that's the deterrent effect of a higher fine.
• A large fine that is rarely enforced will have limited deterrent value.
• So that actually does have an impact on deterrence.

Summary: The Judiciary interim committee met with a full quorum and approved the June 17 minutes. The main discussion centered on a detailed Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presentation about prison population, placement authority, classification, recidivism, and the role of transitional facilities. Director Colby Braun emphasized that DOCR’s job includes incarceration, supervision, victim services, and reentry, and said the department is operating over capacity, with people waiting in county jails and deferred placements. He described current and planned bed expansions, including added beds at MRCC, a proposed 600-bed minimum-custody men’s facility, and broader campus studies, while stressing that minimum, medium, and maximum custody are different security levels and that transitional facilities are tightly controlled placements, not releases. Committee members questioned the meaning of “release” versus “placement,” the use of terms like inmate and resident, and whether state law should be clarified to distinguish incarceration from supervision or placement in community-based settings. Braun said the parole board controls release authority, while DOCR controls placement, and explained that people who reoffend while in community placement are generally returned to prison after due process. He also reviewed data showing lower one-year recidivism in recent years, the impact of GPS monitoring, and statistics indicating that most people released never get a transitional-facility placement, while those who do generally have better outcomes. Members also discussed whether transitional facilities and work-release programs should be considered halfway houses and how much freedom and security they involve. The committee then heard a report from the Attorney General’s office on House Bill 1193 funding for law enforcement retention bonuses and tuition assistance. The office said all funds had been distributed, 73 of 101 recipients had reported back, 1,490 officers had received bonuses, and the average bonus amounts differed by agency size. Members generally viewed the program positively. Representative Steve Vetter also presented a pretrial services report, describing constitutional and statutory limits on pretrial detention, the use of risk assessment tools, court reminders, victim-notification practices, and North Dakota’s pilot pretrial programs. He suggested possible future legislation to expand detention authority for certain serious offenses and to require the Judiciary Committee to receive updated jail-population data before sessions. Finally, Megan Gordon from Legislative Council began her annual technical corrections bill presentation, outlining a series of non-substantive Century Code fixes such as cross-reference corrections, punctuation changes, and obsolete-reference removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• strategies to prevent repeat DUI and protect. eight and echo the need for effective deterrent strategies
• Specifically, there was an NIJ article that was cited in regards to not being a complete deterrent effect
• The comment was made in pro support of this bill as being a deterrent factor, and that's what it is at
• This bill acts as a deterrent. DUI offenses are widely advertised and pushed Deterrence.
• No amount of lengthier sentences and harsher punishments are an effective deterrent for this type of

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard a long agenda of bills, with several authors presenting measures focused on probation, prison conditions, public safety, diversion, and infrastructure theft. Early in the hearing, AB 1816 by Assembly Member Davies proposed allowing courts to extend probation for up to one additional year for people convicted of registrable sex offenses who have not completed required treatment. Supporters, including the Chief Probation Officers of California, argued the bill would improve rehabilitation and public safety by allowing treatment to be completed; opponents, including public defenders and civil liberties groups, said existing revocation tools already address noncompliance and warned the bill was vague and would prolong supervision. The bill was later moved on call with an aye recommendation. The committee also heard AB 2593, which would prohibit non-medical staff from interfering with prescribed care for incarcerated patients; it drew broad support from medical, disability, public defender, and justice reform groups and passed to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including AB 1927 and AB 2502, was adopted without controversy. The committee then considered AB 1538 by Assembly Member Krell, which would bar elected or appointed officials from using political power for retaliation. Support came from a student activist and the California News Publishers Association, with additional support from education, law enforcement, and civil liberties groups; no opposition testimony was offered, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2584 by Assembly Member Flora, as amended, would narrow civil liability for lawful defensive force; supporters framed it as protecting self-defense, while one opposition witness objected on behalf of labor and justice groups. The chair noted concerns about eliminating civil liability but still recommended aye, and the bill passed to Judiciary. AB 2217 by Assembly Member Zbur would rename and expand the LEAD diversion program as “Alternatives to Arrest,” broaden eligible offenses, and continue grant funding for local diversion efforts. Supporters emphasized reduced recidivism and service connections, and the bill was moved on call to Appropriations. Later, the committee took up AB 1941 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez, which would create an organized metal theft offense and a statewide data-sharing system to address copper theft and damage to public infrastructure. Supporters from utilities, cities, transit, telecom, and law enforcement described widespread outages, costly repairs, and public safety risks; opponents argued the bill would deepen criminalization and racial disparities and that non-carceral solutions were preferable. The author and supporters responded that the bill was needed to address repeated thefts that leave communities without lights, power, or 911 service, and the measure passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2499 by Assembly Member Gibson sought stronger protections for incarcerated people and workers from extreme heat and inadequate ventilation in state prisons. The bill was backed by incarcerated workers, family members of a woman who died from heat-related causes, and a wide coalition of public defender, civil rights, and prisoner advocacy groups. Members spoke emotionally about prison conditions and the need for humane treatment, and the bill passed to Labor and Employment with strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if this bill passes, do you see it as a deterrent for an individual to have more DUIs?
• To answer your question about the deterrent, the hope is absolutely what the hope is.
• So, yes, sir, that deterrence is the hope but accountability is also the final aspect if that is the

Bills: SB1936 , SB1612 , SB1543 , SB1260 , SB1988 , SB1859 , SB2041 , SB1257 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• are no less harmful and it is well established that incarceration increases in general are not a deterrent
• So I know that there's generally some talk about whether this is deterrence, but we could probably debate
• that until the cows come home, but maybe it's not deterrence.

Bills: HB9 , HB50

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: Immigrant Safety Act, immigration detention, civil immigration violations, ICE, federal immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, public bodies, local government, sheriff's department, school district, higher education, deputization, 287(g), 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 C.F.R. 287.7, intergovernmental services agreement, detainer, immigration cooperation, public property, attorney general enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been concerns raised that it may ultimately act as a deterrent or slow down some of these settlement
• raised by the industry that this will actually result in slowing down the process or maybe even be a deterrent

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The penalty, a misdemeanor, has proven an ineffective deterrent and has been treated as a cost of doing
• The penalty, a misdemeanor, has proven an ineffective deterrent and has been treated as a cost of doing

Bills: S0204 , S0540 , S0772 , S1294 , S1474 , S1504 , S1708

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The expense was put on them through a statute, but it might be a greater deterrent if we say that if
• Sounds like a great deterrent—that's the way it ought to be.

Bills: SB92 , HB9 , HB9

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, elder abuse, elder exploitation, financial exploitation, elderly person, senior abuse, probate, inheritance forfeiture, slayer statute, intestate succession, will contest, joint tenancy

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's amazing to me that Xcel can add 500 megawatts of community solar at their former nuclear
• I think it's amazing to me that Xcel can add 500 megawatts of community solar at their former nuclear
• I think it's amazing to me that Xcel can add 500 megawatts of community solar at their former nuclear
• I think it's amazing to me that Xcel can add 500 megawatts of community solar at their former nuclear
• </c><01:41:27.840><c> whether</c> grid whether that's nuclear whether grid whether that's nuclear whether

Bills: HF2103 , HF2793

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you'll see, there's just no deterrent. And they can make a lot of money.
• </c> you'll see, there's just no deterrent. you'll see, there's just no deterrent.
• </c><01:12:18.200><c> And</c><01:12:18.360><c> it</c><01:12:18.520><c> was</c> criminal deterrent.
• And it was criminal deterrent. And it was very<01:12:20.800><c> overt.
• cuz people know takes away the deterrent cuz people know they<01:47:05.120><c> can</c><01:47:05.280>

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the issuance of contaminants, such as emitting, transmitting, discharging, or injecting one or more nuclear
• Well, that gets into my area because I did a deep dive into all the nuclear bomb stuff.
• So I know how it feels to tell somebody they put a nuclear bomb plant next to a high school and have
• And then that just brings it down to what the cost per megawatt hour is based on nuclear, natural gas
• We use nuclear and coal and natural gas, wind and solar, and that's solar, of course, that has brought

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to explore opportunities to participate in federal nuclear-related
• courses and degree paths to train the workforce that will construct and operate the next generation of nuclear
• opportunities to participate<00:05:47.960><c> in</c><00:05:48.120><c> federal</c><00:05:48.520><c> nuclear-related
• </c> participate in federal nuclear-related participate in federal nuclear-related programs<00:05:50.280
• /c><00:05:58.560><c> of</c> and operate the next generation of and operate the next generation of nuclear