Transcript Highlights:

• Settlements for personal physical injuries or physical sickness are generally not taxable.
• And further, how these businesses are also generally taxed in other states as well.
• One, it's not really new work because our inspectors are out there anyway.
• And then one other question on the hiring of these inspectors.
• So it's a great benefit particularly when you consider having a disability generally generally means

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspection is nationally recognized... ...the general public.
• The inspector will then speak with the owner.
• I'm General Counsel for the Risk Management Division of the General Services Department, here to speak
• So we stand very strongly in support of the Civil Rights Act generally.
• It's not currently covered by general appropriations.

Bills: SB246 , SB146 , SB300 , SB301 , SB309 , SM17

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• Where are the inspectors coming from?
• We're going to have to train some more inspectors, but there's not that many more that we need.
• They have provided that if an inspector comes upon an establishment and...
• My question was whether or not RLD had inspectors and what was... the background of these inspectors.
• Would the Massage Therapy Board be able to absorb the costs of inspectors?

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thrilled that we have the opportunity to honor General and President Grant.
• Was that Inspector General? Didn't she?
• Wasn't it Carter that appointed her as an Inspector General? Did she?
• Wasn't it Carter that appointed her as an Inspector General? I believe so. I couldn't say.
• So to your point of not being able to drink out of the fountain to being an Inspector General, that is

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• public. ...as far as minorities and women are concerned, and even the general public.
• Was that Inspector General? Didn't she?
• Wasn't it Carter that appointed her as an Inspector General? Did she?
• Wasn't it Carter that appointed her as an Inspector General? I believe so. I couldn't say.
• So to your point of not being able to drink out of the fountain to being an Inspector General, that is

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism first met in executive session and approved the Senate substitute for Senate Bill 1000, which concerns the tourism supplemental revenue fund and how its money is collected and distributed. The motion to do pass received 11 ayes and 0 noes. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2213, which would establish U.S. Grant Day in Missouri on April 27, Grant’s birthday. Representative Riggs described Grant’s many Missouri ties and his later legacy, and members offered supportive comments. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1613, which would designate November 24 as Frankie Muse Freeman Day in Missouri. Senator Mosley and supporters emphasized Freeman’s civil rights work, especially in housing discrimination and voting rights, and witnesses spoke about her legacy and the importance of remembering segregation-era history. There was no opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 3216, which would designate May 10 as Missouri River Runner Day to raise awareness of Amtrak’s River Runner route across Missouri. Representative Wilson explained the bill’s connection to Train Awareness Day and the route’s usefulness for travel across the state, including to Jefferson City, St. Louis, and Kansas City. A witness provided informational testimony about the broader rail network and tourism value, and members discussed train travel safety and access. No opposition was offered, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you're saying like the homeowner that's actually paying for the pool can't call the inspector.
• If I pull permit and I'm the general contractor, I'll give you a for instance, all right?
• contractor, I'm responsible for general contractor, I'm responsible for the<00:12:42.959><c> job.
• contractor, you're able to call general contractor, you're able to call in<00:13:01.760><c> any</c><
• You can call that that the inspector.

Bills: HB610 , HB620 , HB582 , HB610 , HB620 , HB582

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: state bank, public bank, government funds, financial services, constitutional amendment, tax abatements, international headquarters, publicly traded companies, economic incentives, Alabama tax reform, social-emotional learning, education policy, parental consent, K-12 education, teacher training, student surveys, disciplinary action, automatic renewal, consumer protection, cancellation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Inspector General for the entire Inspector General for the entire executive<00:41:19.280><c> branch
• entire</c> this uh Inspector General for the entire this uh Inspector General for the entire executive
• </c> somebody serving in the Inspector somebody serving in the Inspector General<00:43:09.079><c> position
• , the inspector general here in Minnesota, the U.S. attorney—but we know what that is.
• </c> house oig bill is has the Inspector house oig bill is has the Inspector General<01:40:32.480><c>

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, under the current setup, how many inspectors are there in the current plumbing board?
• So, under the current bill, the Contractors Board would have much more inspectors.
• The inspector process is in reform at the plumbing board.
• As we know, inspectors at government agencies, both at the Contractors Board and the plumbing board,
• The inspector process is in reform at the plumbing board.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 750, a “click-to-cancel” consumer protection bill requiring subscription cancellations to be as easy as sign-up and to be available through the same method used to subscribe. An amendment was adopted, testimony included support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition from some business groups, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 414, which was narrowed to cap interest on medical debt at 3%. After reconsidering and replacing prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 799, concerning inspection licensing for elevators, escalators, and boilers, was presented by the State Fire Marshal and reported favorably with little discussion. The longest discussion centered on HB 953, a major plumbing workforce and licensing reform bill. The bill was amended substantially: the original proposal to move plumbing oversight to the Contractors Board was removed, the plumbing board remained in place, apprenticeship and journeyman/master plumber hour requirements were revised, penalties and reporting requirements were added, and language was included to support workforce development and reentry training. The committee heard both support and opposition, including clarification from the State Plumbing Board that it already has an appeals process through the courts, and HB 953 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 220, the “PROTECT Act,” was heard to require covered online platforms to maintain a clear and usable mechanism for reporting child sexual abuse material and exploitation. An amendment was adopted to account for platforms that require registration to access content, testimony was supportive, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 952 was deferred, and HB 827, a related plumbing workforce bill, was amended to align more closely with HB 953 but then failed a motion to defer by roll call vote, allowing it to remain pending. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds surprisingly much like an independent office of inspector general that you're suggesting.
• general that you're office of inspector general that you're suggesting.<00:53:56.000><c> Would</c><00
• </c> independent office of inspector general? independent office of inspector general?
• </c> of inspector general or in another of inspector general or in another format<00:54:12.880><c> like
• So, I would ask for your support in trying to get a truly independent inspector general or monitor or

Transcript Highlights:

• just general application.
• They send an inspector out to inspect.
• So, we own generation, transmission, survey.
• My name is Stephanie Houle and I'm Assistant General Counsel for Xcel Energy.
• My name is Stephanie Houle, and I am Assistant General Counsel. for Xcel Energy.

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the positions are for line inspectors.
• time over the years getting line inspectors.
• </c> least for the plant quarantine inspector least for the plant quarantine inspector positions<00:56
• just the cost of living is inspectors just the cost of living is pretty<00:57:16.400><c> difficult</
• </c><00:59:05.520><c> fund</c> following blank general fund following blank general fund Appropriations

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint Senate committee hearing considered HB 472 HD1 on digital identification and HB 1097 HD1 on public housing evictions, followed by HB 1325 HD3 on housing redevelopment and tenant relocation rights. HB 472 would require digital IDs to be accepted under certain conditions and allow law enforcement to use them as proof of identity; the committee heard limited testimony, then adopted a recommendation to pass with amendments, including changing “shall” to “may” and adding effective and defective dates. HB 1097 would shorten the storage period for unclaimed personal effects after a public housing eviction; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority supported the bill, while some members raised concerns about the impact on displaced families. The committee moved the bill forward with discussion of the agency’s eviction process, waitlist size, and the need to free units sooner for other applicants. HB 1325 HD3 drew extensive testimony and discussion. The bill would require developers of certain HHFDC affordable housing projects to provide displaced tenants with a right of first refusal for a comparable unit or relocation assistance, along with information, tracking, and enforcement provisions. HHFDC supported the measure but suggested amendments to require both relocation assistance and a right of first refusal, without requiring the same rent as the prior unit. Legal aid, housing advocates, community organizations, and many tenants testified in strong support, emphasizing displacement during public housing redevelopment, inadequate communication, accessibility problems, and the need for enforceable rights to return. Several tenants described confusing notices, unsuitable replacement units, and hardship for elders, disabled residents, and children. The discussion also highlighted concerns about developer compliance and the need for state-level enforcement. No final vote on HB 1325 was shown in the transcript excerpt, but the hearing included substantial questioning of the housing authority and testimony from affected residents. The committee also discussed the broader redevelopment context, including large-scale public housing demolition and replacement plans, and the potential consequences for families if relocation and return rights are not clearly enforced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to issue number one with the Office of the Inspector General.
• General Singh; Chief Assistant to the Inspector General Ms.
• I'm the Inspector General, and this morning I'm here to provide a brief general overview about the Office
• of the Inspector General, the OIG, and our request for additional staffing.
• I'm the chief assistant inspector general for the OIG's medical inspection unit.

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Office of the Inspector General and California Correctional Health Care Services on prison oversight, medical care, reentry, and related budget requests. The OIG requested $275,000 General Fund for two additional intake analysts, citing a sharp rise in complaints from 3,200 in 2022 to 7,860 in 2025 and explaining that the unit reviews and routes complaints, including PREA and staff misconduct allegations, within 30 days. Its medical inspection unit reported on cycle seven prison health inspections, noting generally adequate case-review performance but weak policy-compliance results, especially in medication management and health care environment indicators, and said it was beginning cycle eight with revised inspection methods. Members questioned the OIG about what kinds of complaints were driving the increase, whether the office tracks validity or systemic patterns, and how it distinguishes duplicative complaints from those already handled by CDCR. OIG said the largest categories were prison conditions and staff misconduct, that it does not determine whether complaints are “valid” in a statistical sense, and that it forwards issues to CDCR or other entities as appropriate. Senators also asked about the medical inspection findings, the remaining prisons not yet delegated back from federal receivership, and whether more detail should be provided in future reports. LAO and Department of Finance staff said they had no concerns with the OIG proposal. The committee then reviewed the correctional health care budget, including staffing, pharmacy, contract medical costs, and the state’s progress toward ending the Plata medical receivership. CDCR said it is trying to reduce vacancies through hiring events, social media outreach, new classifications, and more on-site care, while also using CalAIM to improve reentry services; CalAIM officials reported 89% Medi-Cal activation at release, 87% managed care assignment, 88% reentry care plans, and 59% warm handoffs, with about $14.7 million in reimbursements to date. Members pressed staff on the cost of receivership, the pace of delegation, whether more care could be consolidated into fewer facilities, and whether the state should seek more federal reimbursement or alternative staffing models. Finally, the committee discussed the new mental health receivership and a telemental health staffing proposal. The receiver’s office requested $33.9 million from the Mental Health Special Deposit Fund, including $8.2 million for the receiver’s office and $25.3 million to make court-ordered bonus payments permanent; CDCR also sought about $8.9 million for telemental health staffing, growing to $13 million ongoing. LAO recommended approving the action plan and portions of the telehealth request, but urged the Legislature to monitor progress, consider out-of-state recruitment and expanded telehealth, and avoid across-the-board salary increases; Finance cautioned that out-of-state licensure would require major statutory changes and that staffing-ratio changes would need receiver approval. Senators raised concerns about the high cost of receiverships, vacancy-driven fines, the need for more detailed benchmarks, and whether the state should consolidate mental health populations and better target recruitment to fill hard-to-staff positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspector General.
• </c><00:33:08.240><c> to</c><00:33:08.360><c> Inspector</c><00:33:08.840><c> General.
• </c><00:33:09.720><c> Two</c> the reference to Inspector General.
• Two the reference to Inspector General.
• The first 39 sections of the bill amend the title of Adjutant and Inspector General to read Adjutant

Transcript Highlights:

• included in the generation component of a customer's bill.
• included in the generation component of a customer's bill.
• Just generally, and I'll defer to my witness.
• First, large electric loads can lead to more air-polluting backup generation, such as diesel generators
• Backup generation, such as diesel generators and gas turbines.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• And today, diesel backup generators, heavily regulated and used only diesel backup generators, heavily
• included in the generation component of a customer's bill.
• Just generally, and I'll defer to my witness.
• First, large electric loads can lead to more air-polluting backup generation, such as diesel generators
• Backup generation, such as diesel generators and gas turbines.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• And today, diesel backup generators, heavily regulated and used only diesel backup generators, heavily
• included in the generation component of a customer's bill.
• Just generally, and I'll defer to my witness.
• First, large electric loads can lead to more air-polluting backup generation, such as diesel generators
• California regulations... ...backup generation, such as diesel generators and gas turbines.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm general counsel for Central Arizona, Maricopa, Stanfield, and San Carlos Irrigation Districts in
• And you mentioned how many billions of dollars are generated?
• So while we trust the current mine inspector to uphold the policy statement, mine inspectors come and
• go, and another mine inspector could undo the policy statement at any time.
• Generic, pick one. I'm looking for a time, sir.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up a series of water, mining, and regulatory bills. HB 2260 and HB 2986, both cleanup/technical measures, were passed unanimously with due-pass recommendations after brief staff presentations and no opposition. HB 2827, extending Pinal AMA groundwater fee authority and related fund timelines to support irrigation district infrastructure, also passed unanimously after testimony from district representatives about using the fees for wells, piping, and conservation projects tied to the loss of CAP water. The committee then heard HCM 2009, which urges Congress to amend the Antiquities Act, address split estate mineral rights, and streamline mining permitting. Mining industry testimony emphasized Arizona’s copper and critical mineral production and the economic and national security importance of access to mineral resources; opponents argued the memorial would undermine protected lands and conservation. The memorial passed on a 5-4 vote. HCR 2038, supporting a seven-state Colorado River agreement and Arizona’s position in ongoing negotiations, drew broad support from water interests and passed 9-1. HB 2078, clarifying that expanded public notice for aggregate mine reclamation plans applies only to new plans and not existing mines, passed 9-1 after the sponsor and industry witnesses said it was meant to match prior legislative intent. HB 2026, HB 2027, HB 2028, HB 2031, HB 2094, and HB 2095 were then considered as water-management bills. HB 2026 and HB 2028 passed 6-4 over concerns from ADWR, while HB 2027 passed 6-4 after adoption of a Griffin amendment despite strong opposition from CAP, municipal water users, ADWR, and several cities who warned it could weaken assured water supply protections and CAGRD replenishment obligations. HB 2031 and HB 2094 also passed on narrow 5-4 votes. HB 2095 was still under discussion at the end of the transcript, with opposition testimony from municipal water interests arguing that groundwater availability should be evaluated regionally rather than by a single-well or site-specific approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're empowering the inspectors general, I think, to really go back and look to see what's happening.
• And each agency's inspector general will report to the chief... Mr. Chairman, thank you.
• We're empowering the inspectors general, I think, to really go back and look to see what's happening.
• And he will report to each agency's inspector general report to the chief.
• And he will report to each agency's inspector general, who will report to the chief inspector general

Bills: S0302 , S0394 , S0480 , S0546 , S0636 , S0774 , S0796 , S1028 , S1050 , S1066 , S1120 , S1230 , S1288 , S1682

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

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS/SB 796, which would create Veterinary Professional Associates as a new supervised veterinary role, expand telehealth prescription timeframes, and set training and scope limits. Supporters said it would improve access to care, lower costs, and create a career path, while opponents argued the proposal lacked a clear regulatory framework, could create liability and federal-law conflicts, and would not address the real shortage in rural large-animal practice. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Members also heard and favorably reported SB 1682 on local authority over derelict and abandoned vessels, CS/SB 1028 on a commercial Citizens clearinghouse for property insurance, SB 394 on exempting certain reinsurance underwriting managers from licensing, SB 636 on beach management and erosion designations, CS/SB 546 on public notice for conservation land sales or exchanges, CS/SB 302 on Biscayne Bay nature-based solutions and related coastal resiliency provisions, SB 1050 on pharmacy choice for pet medications, and SB 774 extending workers’ compensation benefits to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental and nervous injuries. Testimony on these bills generally focused on access, regulatory clarity, environmental protection, or workforce support, with some concerns raised on insurance consumer protections and beach-management language. Senator Harrell’s bills were also taken up and reported favorably: CS/SB 480, a major overhaul of state IT governance creating DIGIT and new procurement, reporting, and workforce structures; CS/SB 1230, restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foam and adding testing, inventory, and disposal requirements; and CS/SB 1288, a naming bill designating the Andrew Red Harris Shoal and requiring markers. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 1066 regarding restoration of the Oklawaha/Rodman system, with supporters emphasizing ecological restoration, flood-risk reduction, and economic benefits, and opponents warning about local impacts, water quality, and the loss of a world-class fishery. The transcript ends during testimony on that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in terms of the general broad scope of the building code, we've used the language out of the
• It will come back to the General Court for ratification in that process.
• </c><00:40:15.079><c> and</c> they're both the building inspector and they're both the building inspector
• But the general intent is to simply take the building inspector, building codes, building code boards
• But the general intent is to simply take the building inspector, building codes, building code boards

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 428, with Philip Sherman of the Building Code Review Board presenting a detailed amendment intended to reorganize building-code statutes and limit local changes. He said the proposal would move code-related provisions into RSA 155-A, preserve municipalities’ ability to adopt and administer local enforcement mechanisms and additional non-state codes such as housing or property maintenance codes, but prohibit technical amendments to the State Building Code. He also explained that local administrative functions like permits, fees, certificates of occupancy, plan review, and staffing would remain local, while any local ordinance would still need BCRB confirmation. Members discussed the distinction between administrative and technical amendments, the need to keep fire-code provisions separate, and a date error in the draft’s submission deadline; Sherman suggested the effective-date language should be corrected to reference July 1, 2024. The committee did not vote on the amendment and instead agreed to circulate the draft and revisit it in a later subcommittee meeting before bringing it to the full committee. The discussion then shifted to fire-code issues, with State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi explaining that fire-code-related provisions should be cleaned up in the fire-code statutes and that the state should restrict technical local amendments while possibly allowing limited administrative local standards for transparency and operational consistency. He gave examples such as driveway access, sprinkler connections, key boxes, and other fire-system details that could benefit from local standardization if clearly disclosed. He noted that a separate Senate bill, SB 94, may be a more appropriate vehicle for some of the fire-code language. The chair again emphasized the need for further review and scheduled another subcommittee meeting before the matter would go to the full committee. The committee then began HB 244, and Sherman introduced it as a cleanup of the older municipal-building-code provisions scattered through the RSA 67X series. He said the bill would consolidate and update those references, continuing the effort to align municipal enforcement and appeals provisions with the statewide building-code structure. The transcript cuts off before any further action or vote on HB 244.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Inspector Les Presnick in the middle, our Arizona State Mine Inspector, and he spends a lot of
• This is Inspector Les Presnick in the middle, our Arizona State Mine Inspector, and he spends a lot of
• They will generally wait until something is built and then you will see the price fall out.
• There's also induced polarization, which is another technique in this general category.
• There's also induced polarization, which is another technique in this general category.

Bills: SB1046

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security