Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Romero, thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service to our state as well
• Representative Romero, uh, thank you for your, uh, for your testimony and thank you for your service,
• nearly as, uh, it’s not like some of the things we envision when we look at what you can do with technology
• Uh, we can only 417 go with the limited data that we have, uh, that the same technology, uh, would be
• type of credit, to where if it's beneficial to the county you are transporting out of, uh, to help service

Bills: HB24 , HB27

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schlegel, members of the House Education Committee, thank you for your partnership, thank you for your service
• Who pays for that day's service and knowledge? We do. We do. We do.
• So the... ...school, who pays for that day's service and knowledge? We do. We do. We do.
• I mean, I've served as overseeing technology for an Episcopal school.
• Everybody has access to computers and all this new technology today.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee heard several higher education and K-12 bills centered on TOPS, school accountability, and curriculum alignment. It first welcomed University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s new president, Ramesh Kuluru, who spoke about student success, workforce alignment, and the university’s financial recovery. The committee then adopted amendments and reported HR 17 favorably, directing a study of TOPS return on investment with the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, LED, and the Blanco Public Policy Center. Testimony from business and policy groups supported the study as a way to assess whether state financial aid is producing workforce and retention outcomes. Members then considered HB 385 by Rep. Bamberg, which would require repayment of TOPS awards under certain circumstances when students lose eligibility, with exemptions for hardship and a pathway into LCTCS or career-technical programs. The bill drew strong debate over whether merit scholarships should ever be repaid; opponents argued TOPS is earned for the semester and should only be lost going forward, while supporters emphasized taxpayer accountability. After amendments, the committee narrowly approved the bill by roll call vote, with Chair Schlegel casting the deciding yes to report it favorably as amended. The committee also unanimously reported HB 1058 favorably, which requires the Board of Regents to maintain a uniform data system for state financial assistance; independent colleges and business groups supported the measure as a way to improve accountability and analysis. The committee next heard HB 406 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, which asks the Department of Education to study the feasibility of moving oversight of interscholastic athletics to a more accountable model after a legislative study found widespread complaints about the private LHSAA’s transparency and consistency. Supporters said the bill is a cautious step toward reform and a possible 2028–2029 transition, while an LHSAA representative defended current audits and governance and opposed the premise of the bill. Despite objections, the committee reported HB 406 favorably. It then heard HB 787 by Rep. McMakin, as substituted, which would exempt non-public high school students from the TOPS computer science requirement; BESE and the Department of Education opposed the bill, saying it would separate diploma and TOPS requirements and create scheduling confusion, while Catholic school representatives said the requirement conflicts with their theology curriculum. McMakin asked to defer the bill for two weeks. Finally, the committee unanimously reported HB 1059 favorably, which aligns TOPS math requirements with BESE’s integrated math pathways, and began hearing HB 1021 by Rep. Egan on repayment of certain TOPS awards, though the transcript cuts off before that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, your Health and Human Services Committee, to whom has been referred HB 408, has had it under
• Speaker, your Health and Human Services Committee, to whom has been referred House Bill 441, has had
• I also noticed that there is funding for housing civil legal services in another bill.
• Emergency shelters and community services are prioritized.
• Technology and mathematics.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> because we can utilize this technology because we can utilize this technology in<00:10:35.920><c
• I'm not a cell phone technology guy. One has a screen all the way around the front.
• I'm not a cell phone technology guy.
• I'm not a cell phone technology guy.
• :14:36.399><c> the</c><00:14:36.560><c> violation,</c> the technology detects the violation, the technology

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's awesome, the technology we have today to be able to look something up and find some truth.
• It's awesome the technology we computer.
• And if it becomes enough of an issue, they will provide this service.
• ,</c><01:14:17.400><c> housing</c> restaurants, retail services, housing restaurants, retail services
• </c> of providing customer service anymore. of providing customer service anymore.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers in the service industry rely on their tips; it's not extra money, it's their wages.
• We do support the intent, and upon talking to the sponsor, others, we understand the technological reasons
• Service, I'm generally a pretty good tipper, actually. So thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; however, we'd still like to work out having the coordinators be hired through the regular civil service
• ; however, we'd still like to work out having the coordinators be hired through the regular civil service
• The campuses don't have local service areas, so it only applies to CSU.
• There's so many services that our libraries provide.
• You all do an incredible job of doing that and providing those services.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand school discrimination prevention coordinator roles, including new coordinators focused on disability and anti-AAPI discrimination. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen school climate, provide clearer guidance and training, and help schools address discrimination before it escalates. Support came from education, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ groups, while some witnesses expressed support if amended but raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and preferred civil service hiring. Several senators debated whether the bill duplicated existing protections and whether it diverted attention from academic priorities, but the chair and coauthors emphasized it as follow-up legislation tied to prior civil rights commitments. The committee voted SB 998 out on a due pass motion to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the bill was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring faster district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The author and sponsor said families often face long delays and inconsistent practices, and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness and reduce administrative burden without changing local approval authority. The California School Boards Association had an oppose-unless-amended position but said it was re-evaluating after amendments, and some other groups said they were removing opposition. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. Next, the committee heard SB 960 on community college baccalaureate degrees. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in unmet workforce areas when CSU programs are unavailable or effectively inaccessible because of impaction, while also limiting growth so community colleges do not drift from their core mission. Supporters said the bill would expand access for place-bound students and align with workforce needs, while CSU and faculty opponents warned it could duplicate programs, affect faculty jobs, and worsen pressure on the CSU system. Members debated the master plan, impaction, funding inequities, and whether the bill would siphon students from CSU. The committee ultimately moved SB 960 out on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the bill was placed on call. Finally, Senator Blakespear presented SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described inconsistent local rules and said the bill would reduce barriers while preserving local library policies on checkout and liability. The transcript ended during testimony on SB 965, before any committee vote or further action was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• but if I don't, I want to thank you, good senators, for your faithful, dedicated, and determined service
• When we consolidated the two agencies, STEM Action Center won't exist in 2027, but some of the services
• Some of the services provided in 2026 could be billed still in fiscal year 2027.
• Funding within this bill includes additional federal funds to account for the increased services being
• Section 4 talks about the fiscal year 2027 services there and the cost.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to recognize their service in preparing for the games. Olympic Games.
• We'd like to recognize their service in preparing for the games here today.
• This week we recognize the essential public service and innovation of our architects while encouraging
• The fine city of Belmont and I have known Davina for a long time, and through her service on the Air
• Senator Cabaldon, the inaugural hearing of the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the former head of the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, David
• They didn't fill in the technical aspects, and they'd handed it off to Health and Human Services that
• facility when I think what you're talking about, re-identified information, has a lot to do with our technology
• So very secure technology, and also we completely comply with HIPAA.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health heard testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 1019, sponsored by Sen. Crawford, would let district and municipal hospitals invest up to 50% of non-operating funds, up from 25%, and would also allow municipal hospitals in third-class cities to operate in areas where hospital district and county hospitals operate. The sponsor and a hospital representative said it would improve returns and rural access; there was no opposition, and the hearing closed without questions. House Bill 2606, sponsored by Rep. Caton, would give patients stronger control over their health records by requiring informed consent before providers or medical entities sell or disclose information for marketing or research, with civil remedies and damages for violations. Supporters argued it restores patient ownership, strengthens privacy beyond HIPAA, and closes loopholes, citing Minnesota’s law as a model. Opponents, including the Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri State Medical Association, Washington University, and the Missouri Ambulance Association, warned it could disrupt care coordination, quality improvement, research using de-identified data, and data reporting obligations, and could create administrative burdens and lawsuits. The Secretary of State’s office said it wanted an amendment so records could still be used 50 years after a patient’s death for archival and genealogy purposes. House Bill 1638, sponsored by Rep. Overcast, would extend the Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force to 2033, add an assisted living facility representative, create staggered terms, remove Senate confirmation requirements, and require updated reports every five years. The sponsor and the Alzheimer’s Association said the task force has been delayed by appointment problems and needs to be fully staffed to continue its work. The committee also discussed the task force’s prior incomplete staffing and the need for continuity, and the hearing concluded with no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• area, including gas, heat, water, or electrical services, when the interruption of service begins.
• Second, Water, or electrical services, when the interruption of service begins.
• I'm Erin Stanton with Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose.
• And this has very likely created vast inequities in the distribution of homeless services.
• Item number two, AB 1708, do pass to the Assembly Committee on Human Services. Haney, aye.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 1892 on HOA/Davis-Stirling Act cleanup provisions. The author and sponsor said the bill would clarify HOA responsibilities for utility service repairs in common areas, align election notice timelines, and require electronic voting ballots to be sent at least 30 days before an election. No opposition was presented, and the bill was set aside to be taken up later when a quorum was available. The committee then heard AB 1708, which would revise the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program to give smaller cities a clearer role in regional homelessness planning and access to funding. Mayors and city representatives from Bellflower, Paramount, and other cities testified that smaller jurisdictions are spending significant local funds on shelters and services but lack direct access to HHAP dollars. Some larger-city and housing advocates opposed or were opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could add administrative burden, but committee members broadly supported the goal of including smaller cities in regional responses. Members also heard AB 2058 on factory-built housing, AB 2576 on historic-resource protections under SB 79, AB 1751 on missing-middle townhomes, AB 1924 on homelessness prevention, AB 2626 on waiving certain monitoring fees for at-risk affordable housing developments, and AB 2089 on welfare-exemption and recertification procedures for affordable housing. Testimony generally emphasized reducing duplicative local permitting for factory-built housing, protecting state and national historic resources while still allowing housing near transit, expanding ministerial approval for townhomes, creating a statewide homelessness-prevention strategy with accountability measures, giving HCD flexibility to waive fees to preserve financially stressed affordable housing, and streamlining property-tax exemption recertification. Several bills were voted out of committee, including AB 1751 and AB 2626, both passing on 8-0 and 7-0 votes respectively, while other measures were discussed with motions pending or held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our survey, nearly one in three victims did not get the resources and services that they needed after
• The most common unmet need, according to this joint CHIS study, related to mental health services such
• Nearly half of my coalition's member organizations are social service providers.
• Fortunately, both of those bills failed, and many of our human service priorities like immigrant legal
• CAIR California's work providing immigration legal services to recently arrived Afghans.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What services you're providing already? Yeah, we can. Do you know what unit's going to come from?
• What services you're providing already?
• I am the assistant director for the Insurance Services Division at Labor and Industries.
• Paid for services.
• These are in rule, and it allows for faster delivery of services.

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Attorney General’s office on a new workers’ rights unit and two request bills. The office said the unit will focus on wage theft and civil rights enforcement, using existing resources for a small staff. It also described a bill to expand civil investigative demand authority for labor, wage theft, prevailing wage, and discrimination investigations, and an Immigrant Worker Protection Act that would require employer notice when federal immigration authorities request employee records, limit access to nonpublic work areas without a warrant, and restrict disclosure of employee data without proper legal process. Senators asked about costs, funding sources, and the scope of the proposed authority, and the office said it would follow up with more detail. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Washington’s workers’ compensation system from Labor and Industries, including how claims are filed, how the medical provider network works, and how treatment authorizations and utilization review are handled. L&I said the network was created to improve care quality and return workers to work, and explained that most routine care is automatically authorized while certain procedures require prior approval or review. A question from Senator Conway focused on the role of the medical director and the appeals process; L&I said decisions can be protested and reconsidered, with exceptions reviewed through a complex treatment unit and medical staff. An experience panel followed with testimony from labor representatives, physicians, and an injured-worker attorney, who argued that the medical provider network and treatment guidelines can delay or deny needed care, especially in complex cases such as PTSD, brain injuries, and serious orthopedic injuries. They described long appeals, utilization review barriers, provider shortages, and the impact on injured workers and families, while L&I’s presentation emphasized the system’s structure and review safeguards. The committee then heard a report from the Underground Economy Task Force in the construction industry. L&I summarized the task force’s findings on worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums, and outlined consensus and majority recommendations, including better interagency communication, stronger penalties for repeat offenders, more authority to address successorship, possible contractor notice requirements, and further study of cash payments. The Attorney General’s office, labor, and business representatives generally supported the report’s goals but differed on some recommendations, especially those affecting independent contractors, contractor liability, and administrative burdens. The chair and Senator Conway thanked participants and said the report would inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:16.480><c> and</c> technologically and technologically and diplomatically<00:39:18.839><c> and
• Let me just say the service agreement allows for the assignment of rights to provide service without
• Let me just say the service agreement allows for the assignment of rights to provide service without
• Let me just say the service agreement allows for the assignment of rights to provide service without
• Let me just say the service agreement allows for the assignment of rights to provide service without

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, small businesses frequently face unpaid invoices, minor contract breaches, and service disputes
• Despite the high demand for these services, ASL interpreters remain excluded from the same employment
• , as amended, to Human Services.
• AB 1846, Stephanie, as amended, to Human Services; AB 1875, Hart, to the floor; AB 1950, Heribedian,
• So I just want to repeat: I support the online updating and technological improvement.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> fuels, uh residential water services, fuels, uh residential water services, and<00:11:32.320><c
• > sewer</c><00:11:32.720><c> services.
• </c> services was enacted in 1979. services was enacted in 1979.
• </c><00:30:24.799><c> uh</c> So the congressional research service uh So the congressional research service
• . technologies. technologies.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law requires background checks for school employees, volunteers, and youth service organizations
• Our members provide ABA services across a range of settings, including homes, schools, clinics, and community
• recognize the importance of implementing clear and enforceable safety measures within behavioral health services
• their past and a collaborative future together in policies ranging from agriculture and labor to technology

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a deep knowledge of the waiver services, budgets, cost plans, non-waiver services in one's
• I'm proud of my public service.
• I'm proud of my public service.
• Thank you, Superintendent, for your service.
• Navy and a public service worker.

Bills: S0042 , S0688 , S0762 , S1168 , S1296 , S1298 , S1300 , S1318 , S1332 , S1376 , S1548 , S1570 , S1574 , S1632 , S1634 , S1750

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel, conflict of interest, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the end of the day, if we need to get services to people more quickly, qualified, capable services
• I was the chief of eye care services at the Harry S.
• That means their years of service plus their age.
• That means their years of service plus their age.
• It's technology. There's always going to be policies.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In economics, may we promote service to others.
• Trafficking, online radicalization, and emerging threats driven by technology and artificial intelligence
• modern threats are increasingly designed to manipulate trust, behavior, and decision-making through technology

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through motions, appointments, and third-reading bills. Senator McNerney moved SB 1011 to the inactive file. The chamber confirmed Preston Prince to the California Housing Finance Agency Board and Stephanie Landrugin to the State Mining and Geology Board, both by recorded vote. The Senate also adopted a large consent calendar and later announced budget subcommittee meetings before adjourning House of Origin work for the year. Several policy bills passed unanimously or with broad support. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby requires disclosure when advertisements use synthetic performers created by AI. SB 1393 by Senator McGuire updates fisheries management, including Dungeness crab rules and steelhead trout provisions. SB 995 by Senator Pérez creates stronger oversight for involuntary residential facilities, including immigration detention and secure youth treatment facilities. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado establishes an Office of Food Security and Affordability to improve coordination of food assistance programs. SB 1266 by Senator Stern changes how copper wire theft damages are valued, SB 1211 by Senator González clarifies authority for conviction integrity units, and SB 1302 by Senator Wahab reauthorizes the Board of Registered Nursing. The most debated measure was SB 1373 by Senator Grove, which would narrow mental health diversion eligibility and exclude certain serious offenses, especially crimes against children and other violent conduct. Supporters, including Senator Rubio and the Senate Public Safety chair, argued it preserves treatment access while restoring public safety guardrails; the bill passed 32-0. SB 1181 by Senator Hurtado, aimed at youth safety and coordination on threats such as trafficking and online exploitation, drew discussion over the removal of fusion centers from the bill; several senators supported the amended approach while others wanted more detail, and it passed 33-0. The Senate concluded by noting it had dispensed with 341 bills during the month and announced the next floor session for June 1.