Transcript Highlights:

• And from 2020 to 2024, we estimated a 300 percent growth in Monterey County.
• We estimated a 300% growth in Monterey County, a 530% growth in Santa Cruz County, and a 560% growth
• in San Luis Obispo County.
• And two of those counties have not seen the massive wildfires that we saw in Santa Cruz County.
• into the FAIR Plan in those two counties that we've seen in Santa Cruz County.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A question about my district along the Columbia River, down in Clark County, Vancouver area.
• Lisa Olson, Pacific County Commissioner, grateful for this opportunity and testifying in support of HB
• Pacific County has been built over the last more than a century on natural resources: timber, fishing
• I just need to understand what you mean by that, because we absolutely have legislative authority to
• I meant that it is within the legislative established authority, and so it has already been conducted

Bills: HB2598 , HB2620 , HB2104 , HB2348 , HB2544 , HB2554 , HJM4009

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: anadromous fish, environmental conservation, state coordination, wildlife recovery, fisheries management, forest management, natural resources, collaboration, forest practices, sustainability, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language

Transcript Highlights:

• , or census county divisions, places, and census tracts.
• , or census county divisions, places, and census tracts.
• The Court has moved from establishing federal authority to fix malapportioned districts, then to mandating
• But the Shelby County case held that the Section 4 requirements in the 1965 Voting Rights Act used 1960
• I'll clarify one thing: the Congress does give the authority over the census to the Secretary of Commerce

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on July 7, 2026 focused on how the census defines and tabulates race and ethnicity for redistricting. The sole witness, Professor Jeffrey Weiss, reviewed the history of Public Law 94-171, the Voting Rights Act, and Census Bureau race categories, explaining how block-level census data has been central to one-person, one-vote compliance and to enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. He described the evolution from separate race and Hispanic-origin tabulations to multiracial reporting, the addition of voting-age and citizen voting-age data, and the increasing complexity created by coalition districts and multiracial populations. A major theme was uncertainty about Census 2030. Weiss said the federal government is considering changes to race and ethnicity questions, possible elimination of the MENA category, reduced multiracial detail, and discontinuation of differential privacy, while also discussing a possible citizenship question and other procedural changes coming through the Commerce Department rather than the Census Bureau. He warned that these shifts, combined with staffing cuts, reduced outreach, and scaled-back testing, could affect the availability and granularity of redistricting data and may trigger litigation. Committee members pressed him on the Biden-era revisions, the Trump administration’s current actions, and whether future data might have to be reported at a higher geographic level if block-level privacy protections are removed. Weiss also summarized Supreme Court redistricting doctrine, describing the move from Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims to the Gingles framework, then to later decisions limiting race-conscious districting, including Shelby County, Rucho, and the recent Louisiana v. Calais decision. He said Calais significantly narrowed federal Section 2 protections but does not directly preempt state voting rights acts, which he noted are being adopted in several states and may still allow coalition-based protections. The hearing ended after questions from the chair and vice chair, with no votes or formal committee actions taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 and Cootney County.
• For the record, my name is Jordan Redman, representing District 3 in Cootney County.
• County, and I did visit schools.
• County, and I did visit schools.
• What this bill does, it recognizes and assumes the authority of Plyler.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray that you embolden them to make good, godly decisions that you deem right, based on the authority
• , so it's a good amendment for the county.
• Chairman, just add some more protections for La Paz County to protect their water.
• This op-ed is authored by Supervisor Holly Irwin, Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter, Supervisor Patrice
• And with the amendment, the floor amendment changes the 10% that goes to the county to 50% to the county

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If 12 counties in Texas estimate that carbon capture and sequestration projects could have a potential
• billion, creating 7,500 jobs and generating $3.2 billion in revenue, along with $43.4 million in county
• This bill author has been very, very involved in this issue.
• There's a well in Starr County that they're drilling for the Department of Defense.
• We're happy to work with the author.

Bills: HB1647 , HB2612 , HB3125 , HB3158 , HB3240 , HB3506 , HB3516 , HB3707

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process

Transcript Highlights:

• Amber, Marion Carter County ARC, waiving in support.
• Douglas Cannatella, RDC of Marion County, waiving in support.
• BRIDGET SMITH MARION COUNTY  REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE  921 BRIDGET SMITH MARION COUNTY
• Catherine, Marion County RDC, waiving in support.
• Fifteen states authorize dental therapy.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> my name is uh Joe perski Sterns County my name is uh Joe perski Sterns County Commissioner<00:26
• I'm presently the county commissioner in Stearns County, but before that I was the mayor of Sartell,
• </c> statutes that they have the authority statutes that they have the authority because<00:53:39.559
• </c> something brought to the the the county something brought to the the the county associations<01:
• </c> we what we're hearing from our counties we what we're hearing from our counties I<01:09:23.640><

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Montgomery County. Montgomery County.
• </c> Morgan County. Morgan County.
• </c> and Winston County. and Winston County.
• Clair County. Her mother grew up in St. Clair County.
• Clair County. I Her family's from St. Clair County.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Follow up question to the author. Follow up. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, the authority would still be vested in the Secretary of Agriculture of any administration, but it's
• So I'll come talk to the author later about that possibility.
• They are going to look at a specific zone in northwest Oklahoma that's just a few counties.
• There is an elk herd in these counties that is growing.

Bills: HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: agriculture, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, HB3977, State Veterinarian, Oklahoma veterinary license, food animal veterinary practice, livestock, animal health, State Board of Agriculture, veterinary qualifications, appointed office

Transcript Highlights:

• The governance structure lacks the authority to set and enforce national standards.
• liability protection, and we're doing it through a cleaner mechanism as opposed to requiring the county
• So what we've done is we've added them, so their duties will be preserved under lawful entry authority
• Government authority beyond what already exists in Idaho law.
• Highway District 4 is one of the four highway districts in Canyon County.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes the board of that process.
• Other than that, that county or city.
• of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association this year.
• </c><00:15:03.279><c> This</c> submitted to the county clerk. This submitted to the county clerk.
• And we have no idea our county clerks.

Keywords: HB 534 (only one on the agenda) – 00:02:08, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• With all this criteria, we'll have the New Mexico Finance Authority on the committee.
• If you're the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority, you have more staff and more resources and
• Counties have the ability to ascertain and seek additional funding sources.
• And I am just, I just have confidence, extreme confidence in the Finance Authority.
• Finance Authority oversight because we do the checks and balances.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The real-world impacts to my district and our region are why I authored AB 66 in 2021 and AB 72 in 2020
• Are we doing predictions for cities and counties and jurisdictions?
• So we've increased our permitting authority using state authority.
• From there, you might take a bike ride over the Bay Bridge and head into beautiful Marin County.
• bird species documented in these counties compared to the rest of the United States.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also supervised dispatch for over three years at the Modoc County Sheriff's Office.
• One was an actual outage that affected T-Mobile calls to Tulare County Sheriff.
• I was previously a 911 director for Santa Clara County Communications.
• We've seen them based on counties and seen them statewide. They're all different.
• And we work with them in counties in Florida as well as in Nevada.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education is the chief implementing and coordinating body and has the authority to
• It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and allows mentors to support multiple classroom teachers.
• It also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.
• It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and a highly effective evaluation.
• And it also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered three bills and reported each favorably. SB 1318, by Senator Rodriguez, made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was passed without debate or amendments. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690, by Senator Claudio, which updates child care and early learning laws, including transparency, accountability, terminology, and regulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify rulemaking authority by specifying the State Board of Education rather than the Department of Education. Senator Berman raised a concern about the bill’s removal of a parent-notification requirement related to leaving children in vehicles, and the sponsor said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182, by Senator Jones, on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment was adopted that refocused the program on schools with D or F grades, allowed districts and charter schools to place mentors, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and directed the Department of Education to set standards and create a contract template. Supportive appearance forms were filed by Nancy Lothar and Orange County Public Schools. The bill was reported favorably, and the meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and recognizing Kathy Missouri for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education is the chief implementing and coordinating body and has the authority to
• It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and allows mentors to support multiple classroom teachers.
• It also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.
• It authorizes a stipend of up to $3,000 and a highly effective evaluation.
• And it also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.

Bills: S0182 , S1318 , S1690

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: education, Florida schools, charter schools, private schools, school choice, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, FTC scholarship, scholarship accounts, fund reversion, public school curriculum, cursive writing, handwriting, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, patriotic programs, In God We Trust, teacher mentoring, teacher training, new teacher support, classroom management

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was taken up without debate and passed on a favorable roll call vote. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, improves transparency and accountability, clarifies terminology, and aims to avoid over-regulating before- and after-school programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying rulemaking authority, shifting it to the State Board of Education. Senator Berman questioned a provision related to information on leaving children in vehicles, and Senator Calatayud said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House companion, limited mentor placements to D- and F-rated schools, expanded participation to districts and charter schools, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and allowed use of educational enrichment funds. The amendment was adopted, supportive appearance forms were waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recognized committee staff and applauded Kathy Missouri for her last committee meeting, and senators later recorded additional affirmative votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposal narrows the focus of the fee authority to the transport refrigeration unit and commercial
• For the Department of Water Resources, there is $100 million in federal trust fund authority in 2025-
• On the bonding authority, so the bonding authority is not a general obligation bond.
• So the bonding authority is not a general obligation bond.
• Karen Lang, on behalf of the Delta Counties Coalition, which is the five Delta counties that ring the

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision, especially the proposed extension of the cap-and-trade program to 2045 as “cap-and-invest,” the related greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF) spending framework, and several trailer bill proposals. Department of Finance staff outlined budget solutions including a $1.5 billion annual General Fund-to-GGRF shift for Cal Fire that would grow to $1.9 billion by 2029-30, continued support for high-speed rail, climate bond implementation, and various environmental and water-related statutory changes. The administration also described proposals affecting the Delta Conveyance Project, water quality planning, groundwater bulletin timing, Exide cleanup funding, and other agency-specific items, though the chair repeatedly asked staff to keep the presentation high-level and save details for the next hearing. Members from both parties raised strong concerns about the cap-and-invest proposal, arguing that it could reduce or displace funding for transit, affordable housing, active transportation, wildfire prevention, zero-emission vehicles, and other previously committed programs. Several members questioned whether the administration was effectively shifting essential ongoing services like Cal Fire onto a temporary carbon market fund, how the General Fund backstop would work if auction revenues fall short, and whether the proposal would leave enough money for continuous appropriations and future awards. Members also criticized the inclusion of cap-and-invest reauthorization in the budget process and asked for clearer information on the impact to high-speed rail, transit, and other GGRF priorities. The Delta Conveyance Project and related trailer bill language drew significant opposition from members and public commenters, who argued the proposal would fast-track the project, weaken CEQA-related review, and authorize revenue bond financing without sufficient legislative oversight. Public testimony also included support for maintaining or expanding funding for transit, affordable housing, AB 617 community air protection, offshore wind infrastructure, and ignition interlock programs, while environmental and community groups opposed cuts to wildfire prevention, housing, and school climate-related programs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion and receive more detailed responses at the follow-up hearing on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:09:07.440><c> by</c> of these two sons of Weld County by of these two sons of Weld County by
• We're now down to three attorneys actually within the county.
• I worry about legal deserts county.
• ,</c> colleague uh from El Paso County, colleague uh from El Paso County, Matthew.<02:16:27.360><c> I'm
• Because this expands the government's taxing authority. What about a tax?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would look at the county population. We do have some counties that fit into that.
• The Office of Water is authorized for 461 employees and we employ professional engineers. engineers,
• The EPA has delegated this authority to the state, and TCEQ implements this through the Texas Pollution
• EPA also delegates its authority to TCEQ in order to implement certain aspects of the Clean Water Act
• Currently, we have two marine desal plants with active authorizations, four new pending applications.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all