Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3454 by Combs, relating to the liability of a vehicle storage facility operator for money owned and
• HB 3514 by Canales, relating to the operation of a program at the Texas Department of Transportation
• Gates relating to the multi-family residential developments financed, owned, or operated.
• HB 3539 by Harris Davila, relating to the use of a high-occupancy vehicle lane by an operator of a motor
• Harris Davila relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lane by an operator of a motor vehicle who

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Belongs to our operator, not this does this facility belong to the state of Florida.
• We have seven contract operators.
• You have to treat everybody that comes into your emergency room.
• Finally, consistency in our state's operating rooms can only be...
• Safety in the operating room must be equitable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it removes the requirement for a business that commences operations during the area's term
• burdens of proof for awarding custody to a parent who committed domestic violence, and adding an emergency
• Because of the way the bill operates, it classifies as domestic violence any monitoring or control of
• Out of my curiosity, why is this an emergency bill? Emergency bill.
• Out of my curiosity, why is this an emergency? Emergency bill.

Summary: The meeting covered seven Senate-amended House bills on the caucus agenda. HB 248 was described as changing prior language about private process servers and, in the Senate strike-everything version, prohibiting more restrictive utilization controls for FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications than those applied to opioid or narcotic drugs, with a repeal date of September 1, 2028. HB 2265 would continue limiting certain court fees charged to criminal defendants, though the Senate removed the provision barring courts from creating new fees without express legislative authorization. HB 2404 would require authorized transporters for certain mental health transports; the sponsor explained the Senate changes delay implementation until 2030 and preserve officer involvement when safety concerns exist. HB 2611 would strengthen DCS group foster home safety rules, including drug screening consequences for employees and additional security standards, with the sponsor emphasizing child safety and accountability. HB 2950 would authorize tourism improvement areas and lodging assessments, with the Senate shifting assessment approval to the governing body and removing some new-business assessment requirements. HB 2986 made multiple ADEQ-related changes, including replacing the recycling fund with the solid waste fee fund and expanding its uses. HB 2995 revised child custody and domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in custody decisions, with Senate amendments adjusting findings, evidence standards, burdens of proof, and adding an emergency clause. Most bills were met with sponsor concurrence and no recorded opposition. HB 2404 drew questions about whether peace officers would still be involved in transports; the sponsor clarified officers would still handle the initial pickup and could be recalled if the person remained high risk or aggressive. HB 2611 was supported as a child-protection measure based partly on recommendations from youth in group homes. HB 2950 was described as a private, opt-in tourism financing tool that would cost taxpayers nothing. HB 2986 was noted as having passed the Senate unanimously. HB 2995 generated the most discussion. Supporters said it addresses coercive control and financial abuse in domestic violence cases and was developed through a lengthy stakeholder process, including court input, to better protect children and families. One member objected that the bill’s wording could sweep in ordinary marital conduct, such as managing finances, making demeaning remarks, or threatening to call police or file for divorce, and urged an amendment to narrow the language. Supporters responded that the bill is aimed at coercive control in custody disputes, that the emergency clause reflects immediate need, and that fixes could be revisited later. The caucus ended with a reminder about a second caucus after floor for the budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• These operations have raised serious concerns about oversight and safety.
• We have seen growing concern over the use of unmarked rental vehicles and enforcement operations that
• This program, which we fund ourselves and operates at no cost to the state, is our guardrail against
• Second, when someone is injured in a crash, they often require emergency or specialized care.
• Second, when someone is injured in a crash, they often require emergency or specialized care.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee and announced a large agenda, including a consent calendar and several bills pulled for separate hearing. Early in the hearing, the committee heard AB 1876, which would codify federal nondiscrimination protections in state health care law. The author and supporters said it would protect access to coverage and services for all protected classes, including transgender people, while opponents argued it would force coverage of disputed gender-affirming treatments and impose penalties on providers and insurers. No vote was taken during the informational-style presentation, and the author requested an aye vote when a quorum was present. The committee then heard AB 1650 on requiring rental vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly marked, with supporters describing it as a transparency and public-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement activity and opponents later withdrawing opposition after discussions with the author. AB 635, dealing with the Mobile Home Residency Law Protection Program, would extend and revise a resident-funded legal assistance program for mobile home owners; supporters said it improves access to justice and enforcement, and there was no opposition. AB 1697 would extend the date for enforceability of certain employment contract provisions under AB 692 and add an urgency clause; the NFL supported it, SIFMA was support-if-amended, and the chair noted sympathy for some workers while expressing concern about high-paid executives. The committee also heard AB 2784, the annual State Bar fee bill, which held fees flat while making governance and reporting changes; it drew support from the State Bar and no opposition. AB 2782, the Assembly Judiciary Committee civil omnibus bill, made minor clarifying code changes and also drew no opposition. Other measures heard included AB 2662 on monitoring and reporting federal immigration enforcement impacts, AB 2235 on allowing judges to use alternate mailing addresses for safety, AB 1544 on courthouse access and transparency, AB 2624 expanding Safe at Home protections to immigrant service providers, AB 1857 to block grocery restrictive covenants that prevent new grocery stores in underserved areas, AB 1892 clarifying HOA duties and election notice rules, AB 634 banning products containing tianeptine, AB 1684 limiting HOA restrictions on home cooling systems, AB 1752 increasing appraisal reimbursement in eminent domain cases, AB 1660 improving compliance by financial institutions with public guardian requests, AB 782 narrowing a prior housing redevelopment law for certain charter cities, and AB 2195 limiting occupational license suspensions for low-income parents owing child support. Across these bills, testimony was largely supportive, with several measures drawing “support if amended” or no opposition after negotiations; the transcript does not reflect final votes on the bills discussed here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Drug Enforcement Administration's special operations unit.
• for the immigration, which state of emergency would take priority?
• for the immigration, which state of emergency would take priority?
• Which state of emergency would take precedence?
• They show up in emergency rooms, and doctors have a duty to treat.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B on immigration, along with discussion of anticipated Senate changes. The sponsor described the bill as creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, establishing an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, expanding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, increasing criminal penalties for certain offenses by unauthorized aliens, ending undocumented-student fee waivers, and providing substantial appropriations for enforcement and related programs. Members also questioned the Senate version’s proposed mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses involving unauthorized aliens, as well as pretrial detention, 287(g) participation, DMV reporting requirements, and the bill’s effects on schools, teachers, social workers, and local agencies. The sponsor and supporting members repeatedly said the bill required broad cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that existing federal law would control where conflicts arose. A major portion of the debate focused on whether the bill would allow or require immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive settings, and whether teachers, school resource officers, and social workers could be placed in conflict with federal privacy or professional obligations. Members also raised concerns about detention based on suspected status, the standard of proof for immigration-status determinations, prison and jail impacts, workforce shortages, and the fiscal effects on counties and state agencies. The sponsor said the bill did not provide DMV funding, that the state would need to study some implementation questions, and that the appropriations included $25 million for a local law enforcement participation incentive program and up to $350 million for broader implementation and coordination. Several amendments were offered and failed. Representative Chambliss proposed protecting schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; Representative Escamani offered amendments to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers and to grandfather currently eligible students; Representative Woodson offered a similar Dreamer-related amendment; and Representative Bartleman proposed barring local law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely for immigration status. Supporters of these amendments argued they would protect children, preserve educational access, and prevent trauma in schools and houses of worship. The House rejected each amendment by voice vote, and the transcript ends during debate on the Bartleman school-safety amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Savory said line 34 is the operating adjustment for the department: $1.3 million and FY 2026-27, and
• Um so line 34 is the operating side.
• Line 261 is an operating adjustment for the Board of Animal Health.
• Uh, in case there's an emergency with avian influenza, we have support for that.
• Uh, in case there's an emergency with avian influenza, we have support for that.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency operations ample lead times for effective decision-making. ...to provide emergency operations
• I rise today to present SB 401 by Senator Hurtado, the Public Service Emergency Reporting Act.
• California's recent emergencies The Public Service Emergency Reporting Act.
• SB 401 authorizes the FPPC to extend certain deadlines when a declared emergency is reasonably likely
• It ensures California retains control over any army or law enforcement operations conducted within its

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. After routine procedural announcements and motions, members moved through a long concurrence and third-reading file, with many bills passing on largely bipartisan or unanimous votes. Early actions included rejecting a motion to strike SB 958 from the file, concurring in AJR 9 on national parks, and approving AB 1647 on juvenile transfer hearings, AB 1656 on human trafficking, AB 1660 on probate procedures, AB 1875 on marriage cooling-off period procedures, AB 1892 on common interest developments, AB 1908 on civil actions and urgency, AB 1954 on business reservations, AB 1957 on post-foreclosure home acquisition, AB 1977 on notaries public, AB 2001 and AB 2052 on criminal procedure, AB 2107 on pupil instruction, AB 2263 on housing, AB 2346 and AB 2595 on e-bike/vehicle issues, AB 1562 on elections, AB 2180 on local government finance, and AB 2624 on privacy protections for immigration support service providers. AB 2624 drew the most extensive debate, with supporters saying it expands Safe at Home protections for workers facing doxxing and threats, and opponents arguing it could chill speech and journalism; it ultimately passed 49-13 and was immediately transmitted to the Governor. The Assembly also adopted H.R. 134 designating November as California’s First-Generation College Celebration Month after supportive remarks about access to higher education and first-generation students. On the Senate side, the Assembly concurred in or passed measures including SB 932 on transparency in civil proceedings, SB 1400 on health authorities, SB 1154 on community college best-value procurement, SB 1264 on probate and child support notice, SB 599 on atmospheric river forecasting, SB 692 on emergency abatement of abandoned vehicles, SB 1263 on contractor accountability, and SB 1371 on solid waste service during labor disputes; SB 1371 prompted opposition over labor leverage and potential cost impacts but passed 41-14. Other notable Senate bills approved included SB 401 on emergency extensions for political reform filings, SB 945 on CPR/AED training in schools, SB 977 requiring healthier children’s meals at chain restaurants, SB 1192 on protections against abusive litigation by domestic violence abusers, SB 1194 on immigration legal services, SB 872 on water, SB 925 on a fusion energy roadmap, SB 934 strengthening conversion therapy protections, SB 1030 repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule, SB 1056 on protective orders for adult sexual assault materials, SB 1069 streamlining CARB approval for aftermarket auto parts, and SB 1135 creating a statewide wildlife coexistence program. The session ended with several items passed or retained on file and multiple procedural announcements, including guest permissions and adjournment-memory requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• related to covid-19 during emergencies related to covid-19 during special<00:04:27.160><c> session</
• The limitation of this, being related to a public health emergency or special session, has been removed
• or special session has been emergency or special session has been removed<00:10:27.440><c> on</c><00
• together um we look to Masons we operate together um we look to Masons we<00:16:26.759><c> look</c><
• uh how we operate together and what<00:16:34.440><c> we</c><00:16:34.639><c> have</c><00:16:34.880><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these are the legal operations of the abortion industry.
• And as a result of those, the, the, the legal operations of the brick and mortar abortion industry in
• , in many cases here in Texas, virtually all across the board, shuttered their brick and mortar operations
• And, and I, and that's, uh, the medical emergency is, is in, uh, subsection 5, and I, I understand that
• I think you're saying that if it's in a medical emergency, this law doesn't apply if it's a physician

Bills: HB 229 , HB 3990 , HB 5082 , HB 5510

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• drawing from years of experience with the O'Donnell Fire Department, Lynn County EMS, and other emergency
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2199 aims to address these overweight operations by enhancing the
• construction and occupation of a new state records facility that will replace the current facility operated
• In short, this bill balances operational efficiency with fiscal responsibility, respects local control
• And if there's something that the public was misinformed on, and it's clearly an emergency or whatever

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation, and routine business including dispensing with the previous day’s journal, receiving a House message on HB 104/HJR 34, and a gubernatorial message naming two appointees to the Texas Real Estate Commission. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, Golf Day in Texas, Cindy Ramos-Davidson, and the 50th anniversary of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Members then adopted memorial resolutions honoring fallen first responders, including Deputy Jesse Ray Perez and Deputy Melissa Pollard, and the Senate agreed to adjourn in their memory. The Senate considered and passed several bills. SB 2199 increased penalties for loading overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; SB 1959 adjusted permit factors for the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District; SB 1376 changed supervision rules for code enforcement officer trainees; SB 2595 created a new offense for harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while concealing identity with a mask or similar headgear; SB 1012 authorized sale or lease of certain surplus state property in Austin; SB 2245 revised bonded title procedures; SB 2605 created a municipal housing authority asset commission; SB 3044 expanded and adjusted the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District; SB 628 clarified county fire code enforcement authority through interlocal agreements; SB 2778 raised the spending threshold for emergency services district employees; SB 3039 addressed public higher education transfer issues; and SB 2523 allowed release from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition. Most of these bills were passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and final passage was completed, often by wide margins. The chamber also took up SB 1844, which would require cities to provide services before expanding taxing areas into limited-purpose jurisdictions; a floor amendment narrowed the bill, and it was passed to engrossment. SB 2284 clarified municipal and county authority over firearms, airguns, archery equipment, and related items, and was passed despite opposition. SB 2529, dealing with the vote threshold for taxing units to adopt higher tax rates or issue tax bonds, prompted extended debate over voter approval and representative decision-making; after questions, the bill was passed to engrossment and held. At the end of the session, the Senate recessed for 20 minutes and announced it would meet as the Caucus of the Whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• That only leaves him emergency room coverage.
• We also do not operate primary care clinics. Program. We also do not operate primary care clinics.
• And CMS was able to significantly scale down its operations.
• Our emergency rooms stay open.
• Our emergency rooms stay open. Our need to provide cancer care.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees focused on the “cost of uncertainty” in health coverage, access, and affordability amid federal policy changes. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s gains under the Affordable Care Act and Health for All policies—high coverage rates, consumer protections, and lower uninsured rates—are now threatened by federal rollbacks, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and H.R. 1. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the risk of coverage losses, especially for low-income Californians, workers, seniors, and immigrant communities. The first panel featured federal policy and state implementation experts, including Don Joyce, Jessica Altman of Covered California, and Elizabeth Lansberg of HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability. Testimony described the ACA’s coverage expansions and the current federal threats: shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, loss of enhanced subsidies, and changes affecting immigrants and preventive coverage. Covered California reported that average monthly premiums could nearly double without the subsidies, new enrollment is down sharply, and more consumers are shifting into bronze plans with higher deductibles. HCAI explained its affordability strategy through spending targets, consolidation review, and primary care investment, while members asked about the impact of federal cuts on provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain coverage without new revenue. The second panel, with UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Miranda Dietz and California Health Care Foundation’s Christoph Stremikis, broadened the discussion to statewide cost drivers and consumer impacts. They highlighted that more than half of Californians under 65 rely on job-based coverage, yet premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs have risen faster than wages. They also pointed to medical debt, administrative waste, market consolidation, and underinvestment in primary care as major drivers of unaffordability. Members asked about the 25% of health spending that does not improve patient care, the role of fraud versus administrative friction, the effect of cost growth targets on workers, and the need for preventive care and possible revenue solutions. The hearing then moved to a third panel on human impacts, beginning with testimony from a Central Valley promotora describing how families are choosing lower-tier coverage, struggling with diabetes care, and facing higher premiums after subsidy losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• That only leaves him emergency room coverage.
• I have a whole stack of these kinds of emergency room coverage.
• Senator Rubio. emergency room coverage.
• We also do not operate primary care clinics.
• We also do not operate primary care clinics.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically medical centers, whether they’re operating out of a government building or not.
• , national...” “...because we’re just trying to protect a state of emergency, national emergency, pandemic
• So in any type of emergency, emerging type of pandemic or something like that, what is it truly that’
• Rather, I'm here to argue that the process, as it currently operates, requires reform.
• It says if you're going to operate in Louisiana, you've got to be transparent.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 23 and first disposed of several items without hearing them, including HB 1093 and HB 1145, and voluntarily deferring HB 946. The committee then quickly reported HB 1095 favorably without objection. That bill would require nursing facilities to have fuel or another alternative power generation source to maintain power, and supporters said it preserves existing backup-power safety requirements while giving facilities more flexibility as technology changes. The committee then took up HB 926, which concerns vaccination status and admission to public buildings and seeks to prohibit medical mandates. After adopting an amendment set and additional changes clarifying exclusions for licensed health care providers and facilities, medical masks, and child welfare/school-related provisions, the committee heard testimony both for and against the bill. Supporters framed it as a civil-liberties measure limiting vaccine-card requirements for public buildings, while opponents warned it could interfere with public health measures, school immunization rules, and the ability of health care facilities to protect patients. The bill was reported favorably on an 8-4 vote. HB 1220, a cleanup bill for the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, was then reported favorably after a technical amendment set. HB 1227, which would require complaints involving medical judgment to be reviewed by a three-physician panel before formal disciplinary action, drew extensive testimony from a physician sponsor, a doctor describing his disciplinary experience, and the board’s executive director, who said the board already uses practicing physicians, nurses, and experts in its process and warned the proposed panel system could be impractical because physicians are difficult to recruit for such reviews. At the sponsor’s request, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 1227 for further work. Finally, the committee reported HB 1217 favorably with amendments to a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill, after supporters said it would expose hidden pricing and rebate practices and opponents argued some provisions were duplicative or unnecessary. HB 1028, setting minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation, was reported favorably and referred to Appropriations after supporters described the need for higher rates and members discussed funding. The committee also reported HB 1185 favorably, with amendments preserving the existing Rural Hospital Preservation Act while extending similar protections to additional rural-lookalike hospitals, and adopted HCR 76 to continue the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force for another year.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a really big emergency for all of them. I got all those phone calls.
• It was a really big emergency for all of them. I got all those phone calls.
• AB 2567 is a simple bill that helps families in crisis get emergency relief from CalWORKs faster.
• Emergency help in those moments should be quick and accessible. CalWORKs.
• Emergency help in those moments should be quick and accessible.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda focused largely on CalWORKs, child care access, early childhood supports, and family stability. Measures discussed included AB 1655, which would protect CalWORKs benefits for families when a child or family member is temporarily absent due to immigration detention; AB 1746, which would require counties to give CalWORKs applicants the actual child care request form and respond within 10 days; and AB 1755, which would repeal the CalWORKs 100-hour work penalty for two-parent families. Supporters across these bills emphasized reducing poverty, preventing administrative barriers, and avoiding punishments that can destabilize working families. No opposition witnesses appeared on these items. All three bills were moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with committee amendments accepted where noted. The committee also heard AB 2072, creating a state contingency fund to keep CalFresh and WIC benefits flowing during a federal shutdown, with support from the California Retailers Association and anti-poverty groups; AB 2429, which would make targeted changes to the early childhood mental health consultation model by making one screener optional and reducing required observations; AB 1969, the "It Takes a Village Act," establishing a grant program for cradle-to-career place-based partnerships; and AB 2092, giving the Department of Social Services lead authority over an early childhood integrated data system and creating an interagency governance structure. Testimony on these bills stressed the need for coordinated services, better data, and more flexible implementation. Each advanced out of committee, with AB 1969 receiving the most discussion and a split vote before later being finalized on the record. Two additional bills addressed county administration and emergency aid. AB 2278 would authorize a Contra Costa County pilot to test technology to speed IHSS eligibility and reassessments amid heavy caseloads and penalties, while AB 2567 would let counties issue emergency CalWORKs aid without first requiring applicants to apply for all other potentially available income sources. Both were presented as ways to reduce delays and help families in crisis faster. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures. At the end of the hearing, the committee returned to open votes and finalized the roll on all items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air Products operates the only hydrogen pipeline in California.
• Air Products operates the only hydrogen pipeline in California.
• The motion is do pass to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments in Emergency Management
• We all need that emergency preparedness.
• So that we can continue to operate.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• The operating budget, which is the browner half of that pie chart, really represents our operational
• The operating budget, which is the browner half of that pie chart, really represents our operational
• The operating budget, which is the browner half of that pie chart, really represents our operational
• </c><01:07:43.720><c> get</c><01:07:43.960><c> the</c> operate the lines The Operators get the operate
• For our four freight operators, we get 5% of their annual gross freight operating revenue.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• than an emergency room?
• The local emergency room in Warrensburg, they call our office for the emergency.
• Now, an emergency in a procedure, totally understand. But like having an emergency...
• Is that an emergency? No. Scraping their cornea. Is that an emergency? Could be.
• emergency, not knowing what an emergency could entail, to go to the optometrist first versus an emergency

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Operating without a license is considered a Class C felony.
• It's emerging. We don't really understand it.
• It included requirements for obtaining and operating the warehouse.
• It included requirements for obtaining and operating the warehouse.
• they need in order to be able to meet that emergency.

Bills: HB2291 , HB2629 , HB2439 , HB1078 , HB1701 , HB2207 , HB2501 , HB2361 , HB1932

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: kratom, consumer protection, regulation, health safety, substance control, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, pet insurance, insurance regulation, animal welfare, claims processes

Transcript Highlights:

• She's had a little family emergency. And so, let me little family emergency.
• These facilities are critical during hurricanes and emergencies and are necessary for disaster relief
• to help create more for companies to help create more environmentally friendly and sustainable operations
• Or is this bill focusing on larger filling operations like 4,001 aggregate gallons or more?
• Senator Weaver had an emergency back home.

Bills: HB407 , SB306 , SB320 , SB321

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• For our other agencies, the Office of Emergency Medical Services has a governor-recommended fee or operating
• </c> chiropractors, there is an operating chiropractors, there is an operating adjustment<00:42:35.119
• operating operating adjustment.<00:42:48.800><c> Um,</c><00:42:49.599><c> in</c><00:42:49.839><c> the
• </c><00:44:20.800><c> medical</c> Um the office of emergency medical Um the office of emergency medical
• Funding the operating reductions.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all