Transcript Highlights:

• Especially as the rising cost of food places increasing strain on household budgets.
• In this testimony, I will discuss food costs as they relate to household budgets, trends in food costs
• So the result is pressure on family budgets that can extend to concerns about affording enough food or
• In this testimony, I will discuss food costs as they relate to household budgets, trends in food costs
• So the result is pressure on family budgets that can extend to concerns about affording enough food or

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact and Agriculture, held at Fresno State, focused on cost pressures in California’s food system, household affordability, and the Central Valley’s role in agriculture. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s regional importance, the Central Valley’s outsized contribution to food production, and the connection between agricultural health, food security, and the broader economy. Members also noted the impact of the federal shutdown on CalFresh benefits and the state’s efforts to respond with food assistance funding and National Guard support for food banks. The first panel featured academic and policy experts who described agriculture’s economic importance in the San Joaquin Valley and the rising pressures on farms and households. Dr. Conduro highlighted agriculture’s large share of regional GDP, farm receipts, jobs, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market volatility, invasive pests, and production cost inflation as major barriers. Caroline Danielson of PPIC said food prices remain about 30% above 2019 levels, food insecurity affects about 1.8 million California households, and nutrition programs such as CalFresh, WIC, and school meals are essential in reducing poverty, especially in the Central Valley. Susie Pryor of the Central California Small Business Development Center described technical assistance, capital access, and training for small food and farm businesses, while warning that reduced funding limits support for rural and immigrant entrepreneurs. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce business owner, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. They said input costs for fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, labor, land leases, and compliance have risen sharply while commodity prices have remained flat or fallen, squeezing small farms and food businesses. Panelists stressed the need for small-batch processing facilities, local supply chains, education on food manufacturing compliance, land access for small farmers, and more pathways into agriculture through trade programs, community colleges, and FFA. Ryan Jacobson said California agriculture is facing a prolonged downturn, with farm bankruptcies, weak commodity prices, export-market uncertainty, water reliability problems, and costly ag-burning rules all contributing to financial strain. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible policy solutions and continued engagement with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are recipients... of 80% of the extramural budget of the National Cancer Institute.
• So with those expansions and new programs, what do you see as the primary risks, such as possible budget
• It occurred to me, based on your response, that that's part of the whole budget consideration.
• When I look at both the budget of the School of Medicine and its business arm, which is the UNM Medical
• So, that happens at a budget-neutral impact to the state of New Mexico.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• How large is the Attorney General's budget for pursuing criminal prosecutions?
• The budget was $740,000. in 2019 and then it was up to 3 million by 2022.
• We know that at least as of 2022, the AG's budget for criminal prosecution was $3 million. million.
• For example, there are hundreds and hundreds of private entities that receive state funds in our budget
• They manage their their budgets for their cities.

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 16% basically of our budget.
• And this is now $15 million, almost $16 million out of our general fund budget, and that equates to about
• And we've got a budget to produce this summer, and the impact on our support for Fort Cavazos is really
• So in the packet I've given you is the slide from the budget presentation.
• And again, that slide is in there from the budget presentation.

Bills: HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Majority of your budget is spent. On mobilization cost. Simply getting to the site.
• Well, we were required to take them off in order for our calendar to be submitted in budget.
• That's all I have in our budget, it would mean a school budget of about $2.7 million.
• gonna, I mean, not only are you gonna have less instructional time, what does that impact on your budget
• That's the operating budget. Oh, the operating budget was 2.7, but your $600,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school districts need to receive this mandate and have money in the budget to do this.
• Senator Hooper has an update on the budget.
• If you care about the budget and amendments, pay attention, please.
• The Appropriations Committees have completed developing their budget proposals.
• Additional bills relating to the Senate budget and other bills. Let's talk about amendments.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• would be housed in the Department of Justice, costs would be covered by the Department of Justice budget
• Thank you, because the cost would be taken out of the existing DOJ budget.
• What's the budget going to be? This is going to be a separate, administratively attached office.
• Do you have an idea of what the budget is going to be for that office?
• I believe it was the senator last year who put in the budget $3 million to...

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Our maintenance budget is tight. Every task force is a little different.
• Our maintenance budget is tight. Every task force is a little different.
• Early on, we started out, we had a very small budget.
• Our drug purchasing budget has tripled since 2018.
• Um, I just want you to with your budget.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 24 minutes, and heard a briefing from representatives of three Kentucky drug task forces: Greater Hardin County, Bowling Green-Warren County, and Bluegrass Narcotics. The presenters described how multi-jurisdictional task forces operate, their partner agencies, and the kinds of drugs and trafficking patterns they are seeing, with fentanyl identified as the most dangerous and fastest-growing threat. They also described large seizures and investigations involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, tractor-trailer shipments, postal shipments, and a case tied to a pill press and undercover work with the DEA. Bluegrass Narcotics said it was formed in response to overdose deaths and has since seen major reductions in complaints and overdose deaths in Harrison and Bourbon counties. A major theme of the presentation was funding. The task forces said Byrne JAG funding has declined from about $2.1 million statewide in 2023-2024 to $1.4 million this year, while their costs for vehicles, fuel, technology, overtime, office space, and training have risen sharply. They said local support and asset forfeiture help, but the revenue is uneven and unpredictable, and they asked the legislature to consider adding about $1 million per year in state support, with oversight from the Justice Cabinet or Office of Drug Control Policy. They also emphasized that if meth labs return, many agencies would need new training and equipment because those capabilities have largely expired or been scaled back. Members asked about possible statutory barriers, coordination across counties and states, the source of drugs, and how seized cash is handled. The task forces said coordination with federal, state, and other local agencies is generally strong, but money remains the main obstacle to broader operations. They explained that seized cash is held as evidence and, after court proceedings, may be awarded back to task forces or split under statute, with 15% going to the Commonwealth’s attorney and 85% to law enforcement. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appropriations committee for our budget. appropriations committee for our budget.
• But Wyoming's state budget on a biennial basis is $11 billion.
• At this point in budgeting process.
• And our budgeting taxpayer funds.
• We never know really until the budget is signed, sealed, and delivered what our budget would look like

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And then that would help inform the subsequent year's budget.
• I do understand the point about the budget. But this is a policy committee.
• Weber said, that we can address this in the finance committee and the budget.
• Weber said, that we can address this in the finance committee and the budget.
• </c> in the finance committee and the budget. in the finance committee and the budget.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthening respite will ultimately benefit families, communities, and the state's budget.
• There's a way to buy respite with your lean budget. You want to look into that, Senator.
• </c> the proposed Governor's budget the proposed Governor's budget reductions<01:26:20.920><c> would<
• We're all members well acutely aware that public funds invested in the HHS budget are scarce, and that
• in the HHS budget are scarce and<01:30:32.400><c> that</c><01:30:32.520><c> we</c><01:30:32.600><c>

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the Republican budget bill will put Planned Parenthood centers district along the Gulf of America
• But the Republican budget accessible.
• But unfortunately, what we're seeing is the gutting of those budgets and that capacity.
• </c> budgets that contribute to the problem. budgets that contribute to the problem.
• Office, we're going to spend $86 Budget Office, we're going to spend $86 trillion.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to projects in the prior capital budget to projects in the prior capital budget that<00:43:25.160
• </c> seems like a year ago we had the budget seems like a year ago we had the budget debate<01:46:04.920
• when we did the budget a week ago. ago. ago.
• </c><01:46:24.560><c> that</c> we put a provision in that budget that we put a provision in that budget
• </c> Tuesday to pick them up is the budget Tuesday to pick them up is the budget going<01:47:25.080><

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services to order.
• allocations are based on previous historic budgets rather than client needs.
• Although the feared budget cuts never appeared, that anxiety remained.
• And it really helps with the budget and what services are available.
• Our children must never be reduced to a budget or cost calculation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then to your question in the budget hearing, we actually made that request and AOC came over to us and
• or not, actually for our judges those salaries are at the low level, but when we were having our budget
• We're required to have a balanced budget.
• He said they are working with the budget appropriators over there to get these in order, and he would
• </c><00:48:48.400><c> over</c><00:48:48.640><c> there</c> budget with the appropriators over there budget

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• beyond the budget year now.
• He said the proposal would likely have significant budget implications, and we are beyond the budget
• We passed, I think, something like 18 budgets which ignore those decisions over the years.
• To solve that issue is to eventually pass a budget that obeys the state constitution.
• To solve that issue is to eventually pass a budget that obeys the state constitution.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by explaining that the meeting was a work session and that votes would only be taken where there was clear consensus. CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” was discussed first but not acted on because the prime sponsor was absent. Members raised concerns about whether the issue belonged in the constitution and what the amendment would mean in practice, and the chair recessed the matter for a future meeting. HB 74, concerning the definition of “citizen” for the right-to-know law and disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body, drew little support. Members noted the Senate’s prior rejection of a related bill and agreed the proposal was unlikely to advance. A motion to ITL the bill passed unanimously by roll call, 15-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 232, dealing with rights of conscience for medical professionals, was also recessed. Members said they had not yet seen the amendment, which was described as narrowing the bill to abortion-related issues and limiting penalties. Several members said they could not judge the bill without the amendment and expected disagreement, so the chair recessed it. HB 253, on interest-bearing pooled trust accounts maintained by lawyers, was discussed at length; the chair said the bill did not address the underlying IOLTA issue and would likely create conflict with the bar and judiciary. Members cited existing Supreme Court procedures and suggested the bill was unnecessary. A straw vote showed support for interim study and ITL, and the committee ultimately voted 15-0 to place HB 253 on consent. HB 293, aimed at preventing minors from accessing obscene material on internet-connected devices, prompted substantial debate. Members generally supported the goal but objected to the bill’s private right of action, its focus on manufacturers rather than content providers or internet platforms, uncertainty about the filtering technology required, and concerns about defining obscenity on a national rather than community basis. The committee discussed forming a subcommittee to work on the bill further, and members volunteered to serve, indicating the issue would be revisited rather than voted on immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• We receive an appropriation in our budget for them.
• </c><00:24:20.320><c> would</c> the third bienium of this budget would the third bienium of this budget
• Fa speak to the budget, but as it relates to the documents, the documents that we have are documents
• :38.240><c> relates</c><00:40:38.560><c> to</c><00:40:38.720><c> the</c> budget, but as it relates to
• the budget, but as it relates to the documents,<00:40:39.520><c> the</c><00:40:39.760><c> documents<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, while we realize that the state's budget forecast is not rosy, we have come up with a public-private
• somewhat simplify it and/or provide assistance to these communities because many of them, within their budgets
• somewhat simplify it and/or provide assistance to these communities because many of them, within their budgets
• 00:53:05.680><c> them</c><00:53:05.839><c> within</c><00:53:06.160><c> their</c><00:53:06.400><c> budgets
• </c><00:53:07.040><c> don't</c> many of them within their budgets don't many of them within their budgets

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rights into that contract addendum would be mandated by the legislature only for the purpose of this budget
• about House Bill 2, just so that the committee is aware, if for some reason House Bill 2 and the budget
• Thank you very much. budget uh go into a continuing budget uh go into a continuing resolution<00:24:13.000
• c><00:34:42.440><c> built</c><00:34:42.720><c> into</c><00:34:42.919><c> the</c><00:34:43.200><c> budget
• </c><00:34:44.200><c> so</c> that would be built into the budget so that would be built into the budget

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• our budget deficit and leaves middle-class and lower-income Americans in the dust.
• So let's look at, again, what else the Budget Committee did.
• Because that's what budgets are About.
• As chair of the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee, he turned conviction into progress.
• Without objection. >> I am genuinely alarmed by the budget we may be voting on this week.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 24, 2025, 1012, house, all