Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Blackfoot. It's a pleasure to join you today. I'm here to present RS 33763.
• participate in that program, and not the managed care providers who oversee as we move into the new transition
• This one's a slightly newer area for myself as we transition into this, but I believe there'll be managed

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met at 8:11 a.m. and first approved minutes from prior meetings, including March 9, March 12, March 13, and later March 16. The committee then considered several RS measures, most of them replacements for bills that had already received hearings or floor action, and in each case took action to introduce them and generally advance them to the Second Reading Calendar. Representative Cannon presented RS 33763, a community infrastructure district bill that would extend to counties a tool currently available to cities to help ensure growth pays for growth; it was introduced and sent to Second Reading. Representative Raymond presented RS 33766, a rules-approval measure for the Agriculture Committee, and it was also introduced and advanced. Representative Sauter presented RS 33736, a public safety bill restoring driver’s license suspension for unpaid traffic infractions; the committee introduced it. Representative Hostetler presented RS 33759, the Merit-based Health Care Act, which would restrict Medicaid-related bias or DEI training requirements for providers; the measure drew the most debate, with Representative Rubel arguing it needed a real hearing and objecting to the substantive policy change, but after motions and recorded nays from Rubel, Burtz, and Church, the committee voted to introduce it and send it to Second Reading. The committee also advanced RS 33754, a cleanup measure related to insurance contract language, and RS 33756, which would require separate campaign accounts, report candidate loans over $1,000, and clarify campaign investment rules. Representative Monks presented RS 33734, a trailer bill to the portable benefits legislation that removed language suggesting the Department of Insurance should promulgate rules, and it was introduced and advanced. He also presented RS 33738, an advisory ballot measure to designate a state gun for the America 250 celebration; Representative Church argued it would add ballot cost and conflict with recent efforts to reduce county election expenses, and moved to return it to the sponsor, but that motion failed and the committee ultimately voted to introduce the measure and send it to Second Reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there other providers of that service in the market? Yes, sir. I'm one of many stakeholders.
• We've got a number of people in Health and Human Services. Kind of what's going on?
• plan to launch our Robotaxi service starting in June in Texas, right here in Austin.
• So we plan to develop those metrics and clarify that, you know, as we launch the service.
• the needs of saving lives with the regulatory safety net that I think the legislature wants.

Bills: SB1493 , SB1598 , SB1895 , SB1919 , SB2039 , SB2226 , SB2243 , SB2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1598 by Senator Hagenbuch was heard on allowing collision report information to be used and shared more clearly for law enforcement investigations, including through records-management partners and nonconfidential VIN data; the bill drew support from the Sheriff’s Association and Carfax for Police and was left pending before later being reported favorably. SB 1493 by Senator Parker, which would codify DPS’s position on flashing/pulsing stop lamps as compliant with federal standards, also received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1895 by Senator Perry would designate Loop 88 in Lubbock as a First Responders Memorial Loop and was reported favorably, and SB 1919 and SB 2243 by Senator West, dealing with TxDOT liability claim settlements and TxDMV authority to require VIN inspections for certain trailers, were likewise heard without opposition and later reported favorably. SB 2039, concerning right-of-way and traffic rules for sidewalk users such as bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters, was heard and left pending before being reported favorably later in the meeting. SB 2226 by Senator Nichols, reducing the local match requirement for aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%, was discussed with TxDOT testimony explaining how federal and state airport funding interact; it was reported favorably. SB 2499 by Senator Flores, involving memorial markers and an account for donations, and SB 1394 by Senator Hall, concerning concrete truck axle rules, were also reported favorably. The committee recessed after handling the pending items and leaving some additional matters for a later hearing. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2425 by Senator Nichols, a comprehensive bill on commercial autonomous vehicles. The author said the bill was developed through extensive stakeholder meetings with industry, agencies, insurers, and lawyers, and it would require AV companies to provide information to TxDMV, submit first-responder interaction plans to DPS, and allow DPS and DMV to suspend or revoke operations in certain circumstances. The committee substitute also updated definitions, addressed Level 3 systems, clarified commercial use and fleet penalties, and created an expedited process for reinstating operating authority after disputes. Supporters included the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Tesla, GM Cruise, Bot Auto, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, who said the bill balances innovation and safety and helps Texas remain a leader in AV deployment. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that it would improperly shield manufacturers from liability, but committee members and the industry witnesses said liability would continue to be governed by state law and that the bill was intended to clarify, not eliminate, responsibility. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and reported SB 2425 favorably on a 6-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members asked questions about practical effects and funding. On SB 2226, TxDOT’s aviation director explained that some airports already receive federal and state support and that the bill would mainly help state-only airports in disadvantaged counties that struggle to meet local match requirements. On SB 2425, members asked about reliability metrics, commercialization, and liability; industry witnesses said the technology is still being refined but that Texas’s framework has attracted investment and could improve road safety over time. Several bills were recommended to the local and uncontested calendar after favorable votes, and the committee also agreed to keep motions in writing open briefly for members who were absent, so long as doing so would not change any bill outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So because some counties, I don't have the ability to even offer this service.
• They paid for a certain service, and each county can pay for a different vendor.
• I think this gives a runway for municipalities to deal with that transition period.
• That's why public services are suffering in the rural community.
• That's why public services are suffering in the rural community.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• American lives could have been lost.
• They would definitely want me to be able to say thank you for your service.
• First of all, thank you to all of you for your service to our country.
• Chairman, and thank you all for joining us and for your service.
• To foreign intelligence services, would it not? Yes.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Keywords: national security, cyber threats, civil liberties, transnational crime, FISA Section 702, public-private partnership, intelligence community, Annual Threats Hearing

Summary: The Senate Intelligence Committee convened for a significant meeting focused on the Annual Worldwide Threats Hearing. Prominent officials from various intelligence agencies presented their insights on emerging national security threats, including concerns over increasing cyber threats, particularly from China and non-state actors. A major discussion point included the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by conversations surrounding Section 702 of FISA and its implications for privacy protection. The challenges posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, especially related to narcotics trafficking, were emphasized as pressing issues necessitating coordinated responses from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This meeting underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships to tackle these multifaceted threats effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is supported by the Idaho Financial Services Association and the Idaho Association of
• And when I look at government services and the importance of them, I always look at, can someone else
• Marshals Service, we're required by statute to provide them with so many beds, and we explained this
• I know the sheriffs are doing an amazing job of trying to get folks transitioned in the safe ways.
• And I've lived in places where you'd be taking your life in your hands if you tried to do that.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:12.680><c> and</c> is tuition and fees plus a living and is tuition and fees plus a living
• </c> program we can also increase the living program we can also increase the living and<00:16:03.600
• ><00:16:05.440><c> and</c> and miscellaneous excuse me living and and miscellaneous excuse me living
• Chair, one more thing before we transition to our next testifier.
• It will make a huge difference in their life, in the lives of their children, and the lives of their

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> chartered service organizations. chartered service organizations.
• Some learned lives.
• Lao Army in the United States as Secret Lao Army in the United States as Secret Service Service Service
• Thank you for your service. Thank you for your honorable service.
• that service.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the document, which we'll get there in a bit, but that just goes into professional background, lived
• schools to ensure that K-Verdians who are coming, young people are getting the actual language transition
• He also lives in a community, Marion, Massachusetts, that has a long history with Calverdianos, and currently
• Bernadette Sousa is a community leader with professional experience in social service and community-based
• elected official, I've actually seen a lot of returning Cape Verdeans to that region that formerly lived

Summary: The meeting focused on the Cape Verdean Cultural Center Commission’s work to build a feasibility study and expand its membership. Members reviewed and approved the prior meeting minutes, then discussed draft nomination criteria meant to ensure geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, government/policy, legal expertise, and communications. The commission also discussed designating seats for organizations such as the Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Culture at Bridgewater State, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A long list of potential nominees was reviewed, including people with backgrounds in education, community advocacy, museums, maritime history, arts, law, and economic development. Commissioners raised concerns about gaps, especially legal expertise and representation from Taunton and Cape Cod, and noted that some nominees might need to serve as organizational designees rather than individual members. Several commissioners supported the overall slate but asked for more time to vet the candidates against the criteria. The commission then voted to create a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Senator Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes, with Vega and Lopes accepting the assignment. The committee was tasked with narrowing the 16 additional nominees down to 12 open seats and reporting back at a special meeting later in the month, with the goal of finalizing appointments before the February meeting. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It becomes true public service. Let's pray.
• So I have my wife, of course, Terry, and my granddaughter Charlie and my daughter, Lindy, and they live
• of legal services.
• The use is the same: people living in them, occupying them, using them.
• School teachers can't afford to live in Teton County. And is this a product of short-term rentals?

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, most of the policyholders in the Fair Plan have lived in urban areas, and many of them
• probably will mean that there will be systems that will be very challenged to continue to provide service
• This can also affect cannabis employers' ability to gain access to banking services.
• to cannabis employers that have faced some difficulty in obtaining those services.
• I'm Phil Vermeulen, representing Acclamation Insurance Management Services and Allied Managed Care.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe service to community, whether it's here locally, in town, or at a state or a national level
• I believe service to community, whether it's here locally, in town, or at a state or a national level
• So it almost sends shivers up my spine hearing you say the story, because I remember living it.
• It might be transition planning; it might be a negative.
• It might be transition planning; it might be a negative.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are evenly split between the Andy Hill Cancer Research account and the Foundational Public Health Services
• My goal is to fix the vape tax revenue flowing to the Foundational Public Health Services account and
• This program has changed communities and changed lives.
• Data centers power the essential services and emerging technologies that operate our daily lives.
• The $10 million in this bill will help schools and keep services like Quitline available.

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor product taxes with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, the Foundational Public Health Services account, and a youth prevention account; staff and supporters said it would correct an unintended loss of public health funding and reduce youth nicotine use, while opponents argued it would be highly regressive, harm retailers and wholesalers, and push sales into illicit markets. SB 6231 would repeal the data center sales tax exemption for refurbishment and end replacement server equipment eligibility; the sponsor and staff said it would raise roughly $200 million and remove an obsolete preference, while labor, port, business, and data center representatives opposed it, citing lost jobs, reduced investment, and concerns about upsetting existing contracts and rural economic development. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; the sponsor said it would restore horizontal equity in the tax code and offset impacts on rural pharmacies, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, retailers, and business organizations warned it would raise medication costs, worsen pharmacy closures, and be passed through to patients. The committee heard extensive public testimony on all three bills. Supporters of SB 6129 included public health, cancer, pediatric, and emergency medicine advocates who emphasized youth prevention, cessation funding, and long-term health savings; opponents included tobacco, vape, retail, and business groups who said the bill would increase black-market activity and burden small businesses. SB 6231 drew opposition from construction trades, ports, local governments, chambers, and data center interests, who argued the tax preference supports ongoing construction, permanent jobs, and local tax bases, while committee questions focused on whether the bill would affect existing refurbishment contracts. SB 6228 was opposed by pharmacy associations, independent pharmacists, wholesalers, grocery retailers, and AWB, who said the tax increase would be passed through and could accelerate pharmacy desert conditions; the sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a correction to an outdated preference and a way to protect critical access pharmacies. No votes were taken; each hearing was closed, and the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments posted by Friday at 5 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or households in Florida, live in the ALICE range.
• I'm the CEO of Community Legal Services, one of the recipients of IOTA funds. Okay.
• I'm Jeff Harvey, the CEO of Community Legal Services.
• I'm Jeff Harvey, the CEO of Community Legal Services.
• Community Legal Services in mid-Florida. We're a large legal aid. So follow up?

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• outpatient mental health services and substance use disorder services.
• services in community settings.
• in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility, you will lose those services as well.
• Social and Health Services.
• Services partner agencies.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session to review how H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) could affect Washington’s Medicaid, long-term care, developmental disabilities, and food assistance programs, with a focus on implementation challenges, fiscal impacts, and likely coverage losses. Staff and agency officials explained Washington’s Medicaid financing structure, eligibility categories, caseload trends, and the role of the Health Care Authority and DSHS in administering Apple Health and related services. They also described how Medicaid expansion increased access to behavioral health services and how H.R. 1’s provisions are expected to affect the expansion population most directly. Health Care Authority and DSHS officials outlined several major H.R. 1 changes: new work and community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population, six-month redeterminations instead of annual renewals, changes to immigrant eligibility, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, new cost-sharing requirements, reduced retroactive coverage, and changes affecting long-term care eligibility. They said Washington is still awaiting federal guidance on many details, but estimated that about 620,000 Apple Health expansion enrollees could be subject to work requirements, that roughly 30,000 immigrants could lose Medicaid eligibility under the new definition of qualified alien, and that some long-term care and developmental disability clients could be indirectly affected. Officials also said the state is working with other agencies to build shared verification systems and may seek a delay waiver, though they do not expect broad federal flexibility. The committee also heard that H.R. 1 immediately blocks Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services for one year, with the state planning to backfill about $11 million to preserve access. In addition, officials warned that the law could reduce federal Medicaid revenue by billions over time and strain hospitals and emergency rooms as more people become uninsured. They noted that Washington’s rural health transformation grant application is due November 5 and could bring some funding, but not to offset coverage losses. No votes were taken; the session was informational only. The committee then heard a separate presentation on food assistance, where staff and DSHS described H.R. 1’s SNAP changes, including expanded work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, higher state administrative costs, and a possible future state share of benefit costs tied to payment error rates. DSHS estimated a four-year fiscal impact of about $750 million for food assistance changes and said the state is working on system and policy changes across agencies before the new requirements take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the people that I worked with were transitioning from physical production, animatronics, and
• We are small, but we are mighty, and we live here.
• Fish and Wildlife Service, and port authorities around the coast are involved.
• Oystering places in the world was Spuyten Duyvil, and the Native Americans lived up there.
• I live in Corpus Christi, and I am here today to support HB 3728. I support this bill because...

Bills: HB4568 , HB5458 , HB4543 , HB2703 , HB3728 , HCR113 , HCR126

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• Legal services: Administrative law judge services, $410,332.
• State-only programs: $11,059,911 for family support services; and state supported living services.
• services state supported living services page<05:33:11.120><c> 138</c><05:33:11.600><c> house</c><05
• </c><05:33:24.320><c> services</c> one state supported living services one state supported living services
• Living Homes 1017,8009,831. 11126 Office of Adults, Aging and Disability Services is 1353,562,251,781

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in the area where I live, there used to be one in the town that I live in, and one in the
• He's my director of audit services.
• Director of Audit Services.
• First one I'll address is service fees.
• It’s a fee-for-service for the IT staff.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am owner of AMK Landscape Services.
• It's great for everyone to have a beautiful environment to live in, and that's what we provide.
• So, again, so you live in Batesville, you’re from Batesville, but go to school in Fayetteville?
• removing Cotton and Grain Association because it's economic, not farm, and the chair of the Public Transit

Bills: HCR77 , HB81 , HB512 , HB663 , HB717 , HB1194

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, arborist, property disputes, tree trimming, neighborhood, landowner rights, Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District, board of commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• A conservancy will help accomplish the anticipated land use transition in an ecologically beneficial
• and meaningful experiences for young people and families during the most difficult moments of their lives
• This range serves as a vital wildlife corridor and provides essential ecosystem services.
• For some of us, we will never live to see it the way we knew it for decades and decades, and it just

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• A conservancy will help accomplish the anticipated land use transition in an ecologically beneficial
• and meaningful experiences for young people and families during the most difficult moments of their lives
• This range serves as a vital wildlife corridor and provides essential ecosystem services.
• For some of us, we will never live to see it the way we knew it for decades and decades, and it just

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all