Transcript Highlights:

• Pam Stokes, and at the request of the chair, I'm here to make a presentation on the history of tax practices
• So they have to pay that out of what they get to bring it to their practice.
• someone representing an agricultural district, fundamentally do not understand the mechanics and practical
• I can go to New Mexico I can play in that game, because New Mexico is practically perfect in every way
• We have Practically perfect weather, we have practically perfect people, and if we do this, this is what

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the social cost of carbon, which reflects the real world impact of greenhouse gas emissions as assessed
• creation of a physician health and wellness program that aligns with nationally recognized best practices
• It blends fairness with conservation, aligning the best practices in California's fisheries management
• And what we see around the state of California isn't theoretical. practice in places like Los Angeles
• We should have a common practice throughout the state.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say it's a fair assessment, yes.
• It's a nationally recognized health system with numerous hospitals, physician practices, urgent care
• to deal with large animals as opposed to just the small animal practices.
• But the other thing I want to say, too, about really good family practice physicians coming out of these
• And these physicians come and practice in these markets; it's so different from the urban experience.

Bills: HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement, stormwater management, counties, regulation, environment, water quality

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just last year started my own practice, invested over half a million dollars and countless hours and
• starting this practice, I currently have 2 full-time employees.
• They are already leaving my practice.
• I'm a managing partner of a colleague, one hospital, which is a 17 Doctor equine exclusive practice with
• It's been in business in ocala 100% equine practice for 43 years.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that HR1 has passed Congress and been signed by the president, we can now begin to assess its full
• So as we continue to assess the impact of HR1, I'd really love for the committee to keep in mind that
• So as we continue to assess the impact of HR1, I'd really love for the committee to keep in mind that
• Closures, service cuts, and layoffs are practically guaranteed.
• So we continue to assess H.R. 1 impacts and local needs to best serve residents without health insurance

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• From discriminatory housing practices to occupational segregation to educational inequities, Black Americans
• From discriminatory housing practices to occupational segregation to educational inequities, black Americans
• MCO tax, which was wiped out by House Resolution 1, with a new federally compliant MCO tax that assesses
• His willingness to confront difficult challenges, find practical solutions, and provide steady leadership
• because he was doing what he did best: look at a difficult, thorny problem, analyze it, give us practical

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of numerous professions, safety precautions, modernization of professions, increasing scopes of practice
• committee would examine current usage patterns, identify barriers to access, evaluate cost implications, assess
• society's cost of incarceration, but without clear analysis on where it is most effective and what best practices
• It will also hopefully encourage utilities to get their billing practices in order to ensure customers
• I respectfully ask for support for this practical and consumer-focused amendment.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation. Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration. The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also conducted a systematic evaluation of online marketplaces, including Amazon and eBay, assessing
• shared responsibilities with our sellers and clear expectations so that compliance is achievable in practice
• shared responsibilities with our sellers and clear expectations so that compliance is achievable in practice
• If it's a benefit to pretend as though you're reef safe, that is such a manipulative practice.
• In practice, this means the information exists, but it's extremely difficult for families to access or

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are updating our judicial needs assessment, but the latest report from October 2022 reflects some
• What this means in practical terms is that justice is not served the way that it should be.
• strong foundation with its model policies, training programs, and pilot case studies that explore practical
• continue to ensure that the public is protected and qualified new attorneys are admitted to the practice
• continue to ensure that the public is protected and qualified new attorneys are admitted to the practice

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So regional service centers are that practical way to strengthen workforce stability, IDEA implementation
• in the PASS classroom we focus on behavior the same way by modeling, having structured lessons, practicing
• And so we practice things like, 'It's important to keep your hands to yourself when you're frustrated
• that really is a way for us to co-regulate with the student, teach them new skills, come back, they practice
• talked about at the beginning, now we have PASS before we would ever start to look at very formal assessments

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by welcoming a new Senate Page, Caleb Williams of Shelley, who introduced himself and answered a few light questions about his plans after graduation. The committee then approved minutes from February 10, 12, 16, and 17, 2026, by voice vote. The main action item was Senate Bill 1317, which would create regional service centers to help school districts and charter schools share special education-related staff and services, especially in rural areas. The sponsor and department staff said the bill is intended to reduce duplication, improve compliance with IDEA, strengthen recruitment and retention of specialists, and preserve local control. Testimony from superintendents, teachers, parents, advocates, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing high costs for contracted services, staffing shortages, and the benefits of shared regional models. Senator Zito raised concerns about the $1 million fiscal note, the use of real property, and the lack of clarity about how many centers would be created and where they would be located. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1317 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion passed with Senator Zito voting no. Following that, the committee received informational presentations on two Idaho education programs: District 91’s PASS program in Idaho Falls, a tiered behavior-support model for young students, and Kootenai Classical Academy’s classical education model, including its curriculum, character education, and strong literacy results. The meeting adjourned at the scheduled hard stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we had the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee that met, and they raised the revenues
• Practically, what you see is the combination...
• Practically, what you see is the combination of the policy decisions and maybe a little bit of softness
• Practically, what that means on line nine is following the governor's plan, you go from a $25.5 million
• Practically, what that means on line nine is following the governor's plan, you go from a $25.5 million

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy briefing from JFAC Chairman Grow and budget analyst Keith Bybee on the state’s fiscal outlook for fiscal years 2026-2028. They said revenues had been revised upward, but uncertainty remains around tax conformity, sales tax softness, and pending policy decisions that could affect the bottom line. Bybee explained structural balance, noted that ongoing revenues are projected to lag ongoing spending, and reviewed long-term growth in Medicaid, public schools, and other state programs, much of it driven by policy changes. Members asked about the Delaware model for research and development expensing, the use of one-time money versus budget cuts, the impact of tax cuts, reserve levels, bond ratings, and the effects of Medicaid expansion and prior recession-era cuts. Chairman Grow closed by emphasizing that the budget is not structurally balanced and that rainy-day funds are meant for temporary shocks, not recurring gaps. The committee then approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and advanced several gubernatorial appointments with recommendations for confirmation: Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, and Dr. Karen Cabell to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Representative John Weber appeared for reappointment to the Idaho State Insurance Fund Board, and Robert Cuoio appeared virtually for reappointment to the Your Health Idaho board; both were thanked and told their appointments would likely be voted on at a later meeting. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to DOPL rule dockets. The committee approved fee-increase dockets for the Contractor Registration Board, the Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety, and the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board. DOPL representatives said the increases were needed to bring boards into compliance with statutory cash-balance requirements after consolidation costs, new licensing software, and other one-time expenses, and noted that the rules included “not to exceed” language. Several senators questioned whether the fee increases reflected broader inefficiencies within DOPL and argued that some boards were being asked to raise fees because of agency-wide costs. Despite those concerns, each docket was approved, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN FLORIDA, THE PRACTICE OF THE DEATH PENALTY HAS INVOLVE THE STATE IN ERRONEOUS CONVICTIONS, BOTCHED
• REVISION TO CLARIFY PROCESS, CASE STAFFING, PETITION FILING, COURT PROCESSES, ALIGNING WITH CURRENT PRACTICES
• >> I MIGHT WANT TO DEFER TO THE REAL PRACTICING LAWYER IN THIS SPACE. YOU STUMPED ME.
• THE THREAT OF HAVING TO DEFEND AGAINST LAWSUITS LIKE THIS WILL RESULT IN FEWER OB/GYN'S WILLING TO PRACTICE
• CAN HAVE A WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT IN THE DEATH OF A ONE-DAY-OLD CHILD AND SOMEHOW JURIES ARE ABLE TO ASSESS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• healthiest meals that they consume in a day and we have this tool called the healthy eating index that assesses
• So, Senator Marshall, I just want to thank you for your leadership on this very practical and I think
• to those dairy families and saying, don't worry, these snap cuts aren't going to devastate your practice
• milk consumption and waste that we started seeing in about 2012 when the Act actually was put into practice
• on the importance of the National School Meal programs and share some current challenges and best practices

Bills: SB222

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's on the lower side because we have better information on the licensed market for production practices
• and yields and we're applying some of that to estimate illicit production in practice it's probably
• Not just in policy, but practice.
• The committee reviews peace officer standards and training and then assesses the issues related to clinic
• We've also been able to backfill some key positions. specifically to advance equity through practices

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also an attorney, and I've practiced in the area of special education law for quite some time.
• The total tax assessment for education in each town did not change because the sum of those two lines
• </c><04:35:32.959><c> for</c><04:35:33.240><c> education</c><04:35:34.160><c> in</c> total tax assessment
• for education in total tax assessment for education in each<04:35:34.760><c> town</c><04:35:35.359><
• talking about the same type of a deduction, like a veteran's up to $500, or is it coming off the assessed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions. Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid. Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• from bringing claims under the existing version of the Unfair Trade Practices Act.
• is under the unfair trade practices, so the enforcement would fall under existing unfair trade practices
• Yeah, I think the bill is good, but on a practical matter, why can't you do everything now?
• Because I follow the law as practiced in law. You know, I'm a licensed attorney in good standing.
• Thank you, Senator Price. because I follow the law as practice in law.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
• think this is a realistic number that we can all live with for a starting point and then kind of assess
• I will look into the data practices to make sure that we get it to where we all feel comfortable with
• Representative Duran said he would look into the data practices to make sure the committee gets it to
• We're also very dedicated to those fundamental regenerative ag practices.

Bills: HF4698 , HF4608

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's fair and a custom and practice in the 16 years I've been here in this legislature.
• in the 16 years I've been and practice in the 16 years I've been here<00:31:57.680><c> in</c><00:31:
• And so, sort of on both sides of this, the practical effect of what this might mean for providers and
• And<00:44:55.360><c> the</c><00:44:55.440><c> practical</c><00:44:56.040><c> effect</c><00:44:57.320>
• Sorry, I'm out of practice here. >> [laughter] >> And the amendment is adopted.

Bills: HF3542 , HF3819

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And too often, it looks good on paper while doing very little in practice.
• And too often, it looks good on paper while doing very little in practice.
• In their view, teaching young people to critically evaluate content and understand data practices is
• But something is just not actively working in practice right now or there's not enough check in there
• that, unfortunately, ...actively working in practice right now, or there's not enough check-in there

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the traffic safety data analytics center, which helps identify high-risk zones and practices.
• Uh it's emissions impact assessment.
• Fresh Energy is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with over 30 years of experience developing practical
• Fresh Energy is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with over 30 years of experience developing practical
• </c><01:08:03.920><c> and</c> making it both practical and making it both practical and cost-effective

Keywords: 1187, senate, all