Transcript Highlights:

• AB 506, Bennett, pet sale contracts: do pass out with Republicans not voting.
• AB 1247, Garcia, classified contracted employees: holding committee.
• AB 1247, Garcia, classified contracted employees: holding committee.
• AB 944, Macedo, nonprofit service contracts: holding committee.
• AB 381, Stephanie, State Contract Certification: do pass as amended to specify the bill applies to contracts

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires that any contract It also requires that any contract between<00:12:38.560> the
• while on state active duty assignments while on state active duty<00:21:15.240> orders<00:21:
• Seeing none, clerk will assign the chance. Those in favor vote aye, those opposed nay.
• Seeing none, clerk will assign the chance. Those in favor vote aye, those opposed nay.
• <00:26:25.400> the Seeing none, clerk will assign the Seeing none, clerk will assign the chance

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from March 4, 2026. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 50 and 191 and requested concurrence. Several bills were reported for second reading and committee action, including measures on schools, barbering, virtual currency kiosks, eminent domain, DUI, fire protection, school district reporting, teacher certification, legal representation, cost and fee reporting, dentistry, credit insurance, harmful practices, elections, child welfare, health data, Medicaid directed payments, workplace violence in health care, utilities, solid waste, carbon sequestration, and coal/energy affordability. House Bill 534 was sent to the Rules Committee after receiving prior readings, and House Bill 600 was brought up for third reading and passage. House Bill 600, relating to the collection of delinquent tax bills, was explained as allowing counties to use a consolidated procedure to collect multiple delinquent tax cases more efficiently, requiring county attorney contracts with the Department of Revenue to include that option, and extending to counties some property-tax collection tools already used by cities for delinquent and dilapidated properties. A member from Jefferson raised concerns that the bill could allow foreclosure on occupied properties and warned about potential harm to elderly or low-income homeowners; the sponsor responded that the bill was not intended to remove anyone from their property. The House passed HB 600 by a vote of 82-11, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 662, concerning regulation of low-voltage battery-charged security fences by local governments, was described as a business-friendly measure supported by the Chamber of Commerce and affected industries, intended to define the fences and reduce regulatory uncertainty in commercial and industrial zones without removing local regulation. It passed unanimously, 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 364, relating to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members, was amended by House Floor Amendment 1 to define Commonwealth emergency pay and hazardous duty for Guard members on state active duty during emergencies. Supporters emphasized compensation for Guard members responding to disasters and emergencies, and members cited recent flood and crash responses as examples of their service. The bill passed 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 534, an elections bill, was taken up with House Committee Substitute 2 adopted. The sponsor said the bill was the product of work by the Secretary of State, the Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and others, and was intended to strengthen election laws. Debate focused on a provision that would remove from voter rolls individuals convicted of felonies even while appeals are pending; one member argued this would disenfranchise people before appeals are resolved and sought to offer an amendment, but a motion to suspend the rules for that amendment failed with only 18 votes in favor. Another member said the substitute was the best version of the bill and indicated he would offer amendments, including changes to the felony-appeal language and campaign finance timing, while also seeking to remove a section requiring federal cooperation. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before final action on HB 534 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns where it says case assignment. concerns where it says case assignment.
• contract. That's line um 11 and 12. Mhm. contract. That's line um 11 and 12. Mhm.
• as well that had nurses will sign contracts with them in nurses will sign contracts with them in it.
• The problem is a lot of people sign contracts and then they feel that they're being held by a contract
• <03:57:35.760> with<03:57:36.080> the contract with the contract with the uh<03:57:37.680

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and contract and contract Administration<00:03:32.519> which<00:03:32.760> we<00:03
• <00:03:59.239> compliance contract compliance contract compliance we<00:04:00.680> are<
• these contracts these contracts Miss Miss Miss stond<00:30:30.279> Madam<00:30:30.559>
• So right, so if you are able to move funds after you’ve let these contracts—between the contracts—you
• know the RFP and competitive Contracting know the RFP and competitive Contracting process<00:35:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:07.360> forensic rate for our contract forensic rate for our contract forensic examiners
• <00:10:23.519> with $100,000, would permit contracting with $100,000, would permit contracting
• their contract.
• I looked at the contract their contract.
• going to be receiving that contract? going to be receiving that contract?

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• At that time, the cost for the contract was about $600,000 per year.
• Was it in fact ever used, this contract? Thank you for the question.
• all of our reporting so once we assign all of our reporting so once we assign that<04:31:47.840>
• No, it’s non-interest bearing, that’s required by our contract.
• We contract, yeah, but we support that contract. the department sends staff to those the department sends

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that that was a very tough assignment this year, and we're grateful for the thought that all of
• With that, That was a very tough assignment this year, and we're grateful for the thought that all of
• One of the key areas we intend to examine further is the Department of Finance's efficiency contract.
• I've spoken directly with the department and Department of Finance's efficiency contract.
• I urge you to maintain your support for state workers and our contracts. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Vice Chairs Weiner and I have met, uh, since we were assigned chair and vice chair to this committee
• I do not know if that $75 is their per day rate that they're being charged by the contract facilities
• Uh, we weren't sending them out of state, but I had 8 contracts, uh, with 8 other counties across the
• Uh, we utilize DIR contracts extensively. So, yes. So there, there should be some value in that.
• Uh, are you seeing much request to contract city services like law enforcement to MUDs?

Transcript Highlights:

• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Stone. The AB 160 unanimously passes.
• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Stone. Okay, so that ends our work session for 160.
• a company comes for an abatement and there are statutory requirements, they actually end up in a contract
• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Cruz-Crawford. So that is our business for right now.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Technology was used primarily for contracting and procurement.
• The request was for them to hire or contract with, I don't want to name a company, but maybe something
• Or could they contract with someone who has the, just like we've seen in other places where they contract
• Or could they contract with someone who has the just like we've seen in other places where they contract
• to contract with someone who has the, just like we've seen in other places where they contract to bring

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a tough assignment.
• It's a tough assignment.
• They're doing well, and uh assignment.
• You could have housing for folks who are here on temporary assignment.
• <02:58:59.320> So contract and rent or buy housing. So contract and rent or buy housing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• now in this Homeland Security bill, the bulk of it, if you look at it is existing resources and contracts
• We, um, of course at Texas DPS it any private, uh, sector entity that we contract with is, is, is, uh
• Um, also, uh, DPS, DPS has at least $20 million in multi-year contracts with artificial intelligence
• It was assigned to Texas Rangers, using AI.
• Uh, but we also have, uh, special agents assigned to every JTTF, uh, Joint Terrorism Task Force, so we

Bills: SB 36, SB 2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think it is in their best interest to contract for this.
• So, I think it is in their best interest to contract for this.
• So, I think it is in their best interest to contract for this.
• There is somebody responsible for clearing the snow if the parties don't contract to it themselves.
• So if we say contract to it themselves.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pro Tem, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and the bills be properly assigned
• Explanation: This amendment fixes what we see as an oversight by making sure that these employment contract
• committee that the reason why the same We see as an oversight by making sure that these employment contract
• In the case of this one, somebody thinks that the contracts should be available for those in school districts
• I heartily agree with Senator Diaz, who has made the amendment that we should see the contracts for charter

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed guests from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and Brigadier General John Connolly, and adopted a lighthearted April Fool’s proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat. The chamber also approved a House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and transmitted Senate Bills 1181 and 1473 to the Governor. Later, the Senate observed a moment of silence for Passion Swartz after a personal privilege statement about her disappearance and death, and discussed the need to improve turquoise alert practices. The Senate then considered two Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance modeling/data organizations, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions, all receiving do-pass recommendations and later passing the Senate. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries and professional associations, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on Department of Education reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school district leases and housing development, and HB 257 on a special plate tied to the mining museum; all were adopted from committee and passed the Senate, with HB 2255 requiring and receiving a three-quarters vote. Several bills drew floor debate and recorded opposition. Senators argued that HB 2075 unfairly applied transparency rules only to school districts, HB 2174 weakened insurance consumer protections, HB 2289 could bias voters on bond measures, HB 2903 used vague “social credit score” language, HB 2008 attacked school librarians, and HB 2040 imposed adoption messaging in health settings. Despite these objections, the Senate passed each measure by recorded vote, with HB 2223 and HB 2203 passing unanimously or near-unanimously, and the remaining bills passing by varying margins before being transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• The driver pays for the cell phone, for the cell phone contract.
• <00:32:05.360> But phone, for the cell phone contract.
• But phone, for the cell phone contract.
• Senate Bill 178 will be assigned to the Committee on Appropriations.
• >> Senate Bill 193 will be assigned to the >> Senate Bill 193 will be assigned to the committee

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The committee first debated amendments to Senate Bill 35, a road safety measure increasing penalties for improper passing and related dangerous driving offenses. Amendment L17, which would have exempted certain emergency situations and volunteer first responders from the penalties, was opposed by the bill sponsor and others and failed on a voice vote. Amendment L18, which broadened the exemption for first responders en route to emergencies, also failed after discussion. Supporters of the bill argued it targets some of the state’s most fatal crashes, while opponents said the penalties were too harsh and could disproportionately affect rural and working-class drivers. The committee then passed Senate Bill 35 as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1273 on transportation network companies and driver compensation. Supporters said the bill responds to reduced driver earnings under app-based pricing models and seeks to require a larger share of fares to go to drivers, while opponents warned it could harm the industry, reduce service, and interfere with business decisions. The bill passed after debate. Senate Bill 114, concerning spirituous liquor manufacturers’ sales rooms, then passed with supporters describing it as a limited, locally controlled permit to help distillers offer additional on-premise options while preserving local approval authority. Finally, House Bill 1138 on organized retail theft prevention advanced through committee reports and was presented as a grant-and-advisory-board program housed in the Department of Public Safety. Sponsors said it would fund investigations, prosecutions, technology, training, and prevention efforts aimed at organized retail theft and gift card fraud, modeled after Colorado’s auto theft grant program. The bill was described as targeting felony-level organized theft rather than ordinary shoplifting, with annual reporting and a sunset date built in. The transcript ends during discussion of the bill, after the committee reports were adopted and the bill was introduced for final passage discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• when that contract was originally executed.
• In that perspective, there are current contracts that'll be fine.
• Agreements potentially or contracts with these foreign adversaries could create massive security risks
• Contracts, we're better able to protect that IP that we've created here in the state.
• It can't get into a contract with China or Russia directly.

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3228 states that the contract between the landowner and wind or solar company must include
• I'm going to rely on prior banking experience to say that I think most of those contracts would say a
• successors and assigns, and so forth.
• So there is a tail on that, for lack of a better term, on the rest of that original contract.
• Have an agreement, there is an agreement that binds successors and assigns.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• DIR contracts.
• IR contract.
• All contracts, all reported contracts are easily searchable and accessible online at contract.
• Do you use it in your contracts? We see that on our text mask contracts. Text mask contracts.
• Contracting, and I haven't actually talked directly about contracting, so I will close with contracting

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• controls oversight and contract controls oversight and contract compliance. compliance. compliance
• <00:24:28.400> to expertise by funding a contract to expertise by funding a contract to conduct
• and the oversight of those contracts.
• place to make sure that those contracts place to make sure that those contracts are<01:25:30.400
• and the the oversight of those contracts and the the oversight of those<01:26:01.440> contracts

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, how many of you here had any of your bills that were assigned to Transportation and Infrastructure
• Did we have any DEM bills assigned to this committee? Thank you.
• Did we have any DEM bills assigned to this committee?
• Madam Chair, Madam Chair, members, yes, there were a few Democratic bills that were assigned to the Transportation
• So, yeah, there were some DEM members that had bills assigned to it. Thank you.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.