Transcript Highlights:

• The other regulatory boards.
• Regarding regulatory activity, the board approved the regulatory implementation package for Senate Bill
• Additionally, the board is developing a regulatory package to increase the initial licensing fee from
• Regulatory records. So I think this is... But we're not law enforcement.
• Not perfect, but from an efficiency perspective, there is no comparison.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five regulatory entities: the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Board of Psychology, the Physician Assistant Board, the Podiatric Medical Board, and the California Massage Therapy Council. Across the hearing, each entity described recent accomplishments, licensing and enforcement workload, workforce shortages, and efforts to modernize processes. Common themes included streamlining licensure, expanding access to care, addressing telehealth or emerging technology, and balancing consumer protection with workforce needs. For the Board of Behavioral Sciences, members discussed workforce shortages in mental health, supervision barriers, telehealth confidentiality, AI in therapy, interstate compacts, school-based services, and military spouse licensure. The board said it has expanded outreach, improved licensing processes, and created temporary practice authority tracking, while also expressing concern about counseling compacts and emphasizing California-specific law, ethics, and cultural competency. Public commenters supported the board’s work and the possible move to a national MFT exam, while also urging more resources. The Board of Psychology highlighted fee adjustments, streamlined licensure pathways, enforcement process improvements, new CPD requirements, and proposed changes including a psychotherapist-client privilege exception for investigations. Committee members and public witnesses focused heavily on that privilege proposal, with some members opposing it as too broad and privacy-invasive, while the board argued it is needed to obtain records in bias and sexual misconduct cases. The board also discussed workforce shortages, processing improvements, and the use of inactive status for psychological associates. The Physician Assistant Board reported growth in the PA workforce and education programs, SB 697 implementation, and financial pressure from rising enforcement costs. The main policy debate centered on physician-to-PA ratios and practice agreements, with board representatives and many public commenters arguing that current restrictions limit access to care, especially in rural areas, while the California Medical Association defended the need for explicit ratios and agreements. The board also discussed AI, fee increases, and tracking temporary practice authority. The Podiatric Medical Board described licensing and renewal reforms, residency expansion, enforcement support, and budget constraints, while public testimony raised concerns about a proposed fee increase and about reimbursement parity and practice recognition for podiatrists. Finally, the California Massage Therapy Council defended the certification model over licensure, citing lower costs, local government collaboration, anti-trafficking work, and its role in vetting applications and disciplining bad actors; no formal votes or final actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee was called to order.
• Good morning, Madam Chair, Senators serving on the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
• I move that the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee recommends that the full
• This is the Government Efficiency Committee, right?
• This is the Government Efficiency Committee, after all.

Summary: The committee first considered the reappointment of Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board. Campbell described his nearly 10 years of service, his role as chair since 2019, and his focus on fairness, public safety, and applying the law consistently. He answered questions about the board’s workload and authority, noting it hears roughly 40 to 50 cases a year and does not issue fines. With no public testimony, the committee voted 6-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard several liquor and consumer-related bills. SB 1478, an annual liquor-policy cleanup bill, made technical changes to liquor statutes, including conforming the definition of cider to federal tax law and clarifying other terminology. The bill drew support from industry stakeholders and neutral testimony from the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control; the committee adopted a clarifying amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. SB 1108 would require Swedish rounding of cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with signage and enforcement provisions; an amendment removed an individual-item exemption and clarified tax calculations, and the bill passed as amended with support from business groups. SB 1205 would regulate private-property vehicle booting by setting signage, notice, fee, and recordkeeping requirements and making violations a misdemeanor; members raised concerns about appeals and signage on non-parking property, but the committee adopted a technical amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee also took up SB 1241, which would allow private permitting providers to conduct plan reviews and inspections for single-trade residential projects without municipal or county approval. Supporters argued it would reduce delays and costs for homeowners and help cities focus on higher-priority work, while cities and counties opposed the bill on public-safety and local-control grounds, warning about private incentives and inspection quality. After adopting an amendment granting immunity to municipalities that rely on private providers, the committee recommended the bill do pass as amended by a 5-2 vote, with some members explaining their votes and asking for further stakeholder work. Finally, the committee heard SB 1366, which creates a Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee to review towing fees, standards, insurance, background checks, and related DPS policies, and to report recommendations by the end of 2026. Supporters said the study would help address inconsistent standards and consumer concerns before permanent changes are made. Some members objected that the study committee did not include minority-party appointments, but the sponsor said that could be addressed later. The committee adopted a strike-everything amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee then began SB 1431, a housing-design bill limiting municipal design standards and restrictions on certain shared features, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate and no final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cannabis industry, with its complexities and challenges, requires a nimble and efficient regulator
• This ban and accompanying regulatory structure will help provide guidance and clarity on hemp products
• This ban and accompanying regulatory structure will help provide guidance and clarity on hemp products
• One of the most significant aspects of this bill is its establishment of a comprehensive regulatory..
• It modernizes our regulatory bodies, protects consumers, and supports businesses.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, under consideration of House
• President, the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, under consideration of House
• Efficiency Committee amendment, signed Sean O'Bolick.
• Efficiency Committee amendment, signed Sean O'Bolick.
• President, your Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, under consideration of House

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be as efficient in doing that.
• So just to sum up, data centers are extremely efficient water users.
• A lot of closed loop water systems, efficient energy and water systems.
• and to be energy efficient as well.
• Start with efficiency. Match your resources to your location.

Transcript Highlights:

• It affects project timelines, costs, collaboration across disciplines, and ultimately the efficiency
• Licensure is a significant regulatory expansion, and it should only be considered through the sunset
• On the regulatory side, the board continues to work on updating its regulatory framework.
• We continue to do everything in our power to create efficiencies and cost savings where we can, while
• Protect established practitioners and prevent further regulatory overreach.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , in support with amendments, looking for some definitions and clarity around energy efficiency.
• The Coastal Act and other regulatory requirements for fuels reduction.
• AB 2711 will restore predictability and efficiency in the permitting process.
• And I've been subject to many regulatory agencies' permitting processes.
• When you're... so there's several different regulatory agencies involved. CalGEM...

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• I then worked for an insurance regulatory firm for several years.
• It's also an opportunity to drop the advocacy role in favor of a regulatory role.
• I think we have a strong regulatory environment here.
• And that’s a delicate balance in an ever-changing regulatory environment.
• And that’s a delicate balance in an ever-changing regulatory environment.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:10:53.520><c> and</c> cost-effective Energy Efficiency and cost-effective Energy Efficiency and
• The meaning of cost-effective efficiency is that the kilowatt hour of efficiency is cheaper than the
• </c> department supporting its regulatory department supporting its regulatory obligations<02:49:46.520
• </c> and I know that doing this efficiently and I know that doing this efficiently and<04:33:41.799><
• </c><04:45:29.280><c> Consultants</c> Brokers Energy Efficiency Consultants Brokers Energy Efficiency

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows businesses to fill critical positions more quickly and efficiently.
• Uh, I am here on request today from the Coalition for Regulatory Efficiency and reform.
• I'm Chair Rod, uh, Bordelon with the, um, Coalition for Regulatory Efficiency and Reform.
• Supports medical innovation and efficiency.
• Healthcare providers can focus on patients, patient care instead of dealing with excessive regulatory

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be as efficient in doing that.
• So just to sum up, data centers are extremely efficient water users.
• A lot of closed loop water systems, efficient energy and water systems.
• and to be energy efficient as well.
• Start with efficiency. Match your resources to your location.

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's certainly a great efficiency in terms of being able to do this by videoconference, and I think
• So I think we don't want to offset the efficiency gains by making it an impersonal system.
• HB 4233 is focused on clarity, accountability, and efficiency.
• That's not good for patient safety or regulatory accountability.
• This bill streamlines the filing process significantly and allows for greater efficiency.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier in the session, I had a dialogue with Chair Gleeson about the PUC's regulatory powers, and I
• Yet one will require a 180-day regulatory process and the other one will not.
• I think if the legislature wants to establish a somewhat more consistent regulatory framework for all
• I mean, it's just a lower regulatory hurdle for me. ...And I think the market would respond to those
• We'd like to compete to improve market efficiencies. Mr.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a resource witness specifically for food and drug, and the regulatory aspects.
• It clarifies licensing and complaint facility oversight to ensure a strong and efficient regulatory framework
• This is a common sense update, making the licensing process more efficient.
• It's to expand hunting opportunities for those who don't live here in an efficient way.
• We have a separate sort of regulatory arm. Yes, they are in the middle of a lawsuit.

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. SB 1309, pharmacies, care standards, prescriptions.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. SB 1340, public records, digital media copies.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. SB 1417, autonomous vehicle safety data.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. SB 1432, central bank digital currency ban.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, 9:30 a.m., Senate Hearing Room 1.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> and</c><00:04:01.720><c> efficient</c><00:04:02.160><c> utility</c> safe, reliable, and efficient
• </c> maintaining a healthy utility regulatory maintaining a healthy utility regulatory compact<00:05:
• efficient windows and roofing.
• </c> financing for the high-efficiency financing for the high-efficiency boiler,<00:37:54.560><c> the
• </c> boiler, the HVAC, and the efficient boiler, the HVAC, and the efficient windows<00:37:56.880><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to know what the future of Texas or any nation looks like with ready access to cost-efficient
• And regulatory changes, allowing particularly for export.
• Additionally, purchasing a more efficient car requires time.
• With its own regulatory certainty.
• Do you want reduced regulatory requirements? And what about tax incentives?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , very capital efficient and very time efficient to execute on the right things.
• </c><00:30:32.039><c> very</c> so we have to be very efficient very so we have to be very efficient very
• ><c> time</c> Capital efficient and very time Capital efficient and very time efficient<00:30:34.760>
• Jonathan Shik, testifying for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.
• </c><01:03:38.119><c> review</c> the small business regulatory review the small business regulatory review

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard confirmations for two Hawaii Technology Development Corporation board nominees, Jaclyn Ka and Gregory Oara. Testimony for both was overwhelmingly in support. Supporters for Ka emphasized her Kauaʻi roots, work in workforce development and digital equity, and ability to connect schools, industry, and community needs. In her own remarks, Ka said she wants to bring resources to Kauaʻi and the neighbor islands, strengthen local workforce pathways, and use the HTDC board to help local residents access technology jobs and training. Members questioned Ka about how to reduce reliance on mainland hires for jobs at PMRF and other technology employers, how to better align training with local needs, and how to connect Kauaʻi schools, community college programs, and creative media/digital technology efforts. Ka described KDB’s role in building islandwide digital media and drone clubs, professional development for teachers, and partnerships intended to create a pipeline from school to workforce. She also said the legislature can help mainly by listening and staying informed about local needs. For Oara, supporters highlighted his engineering and semiconductor background, his experience in academia, industry, and startups, and his potential to help HTDC with technology commercialization, IP, and exportable services. Oara said he wants HTDC to better support early-stage companies, improve coordination among universities, government, and the private sector, and create a directory of technical skill sets to connect startups with needed expertise. He also discussed AI, saying Hawaii can contribute by developing smaller, locally relevant models rather than only relying on large-scale data-center infrastructure. The hearing focused on these nominations and testimony; no vote or final committee action was stated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute adds clarifying language that the limit for the mid-term review of regulatory agencies
• You see all kinds of animals using energy very efficiently. You don't see any life...
• Friday talking to the head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• There are plenty of ways to improve the efficiency of gas-powered units.
• I'm Rod Borderland, and I'm here representing the Coalition for Regulatory Efficiency and Reform. in

Bills: HB 11, HB 14, HB 132, HB 1584, HB 1606, HB 5061, HB 1041, HB 2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism, critical infrastructure, emergency response, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting was a thorough exploration of multiple bills, most notably focused on innovative energy solutions and public safety enhancements. Key discussions centered around HB14, which aims to bolster the state's nuclear energy capabilities through the establishment of a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office. Senators and expert witnesses discussed the potential of nuclear power as a clean energy source and a strategic necessity for Texas's growth. There was strong support for the bill, with various stakeholders highlighting its importance for the future energy landscape. Additionally, other bills like HB132 addressed the need for enhanced confidentiality protections regarding sensitive information, while HB1584 sought improvements in power restoration procedures during emergencies. Overall, the committee engaged with multiple viewpoints, balancing innovation with safety and ethical considerations.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, the Certificate of Need Program is a regulatory process that requires certain health
• Our state already has a strong, effective regulatory system for pharmacy compounding.
• I'm a scientist and associate vice president for regulatory policy at Eli Lilly.
• These standards constitute a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures safety.
• Yes, this is a good efficiency bill, and we’re asking for a yes. Any further discussion?

Bills: HB2545, HB2613, HB1496, HB2155, HB2283, HB2340, HB2425, HB2437, HB2577

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding