Transcript Highlights:

• Our own governor started an estate winery himself next door to Chateau Montelena, where he launched O'Donovan
• Next door to Chateau Montelena, where he launched Odette wines, and he will tell you the reason they're
• So please join me in welcoming the pioneers who launched California's wine industry globally and changed
• Daniel, from Simi Valley; Navy Petty Officer Third Class Coronado Christopher, from Baldwin Park; Space

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a Memorial Day prayer, and welcomed a third-grade class from Sacred Heart Parish School to the chamber. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending a joint rule to allow budget subcommittees to meet during blackout period and removing certain bills from inactive or consent files. The chamber confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments, including Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board, Chris Ferguson to the California Student Aid Commission, and Brian Haynes to the same commission. The Senate also adopted several resolutions, including SR 102 recognizing National Safe Boating Week, SCR 172 proclaiming Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, SCR 177 declaring World No Tobacco Day, SR 107 for Lupus Awareness Month, and SR 115 marking the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris in California wine history. On third reading, the Senate passed a series of bills on topics including beverage container recycling fees (SB 1341), school employee misconduct procedures (SB 1083), wildfire preparedness for water suppliers (SB 1153), insurance cost-sharing accounting (SB 1199), nonprofit government liaison services (SB 1240), energy coordination and fuel supply planning (SB 1337), language access in elections (SB 1360), gaming fee transparency (SB 920), mental health evaluation in Care Court-related cases (SB 1016), reckless driving penalties (SB 1198), greenhouse gas reporting for subsidized medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (SB 1213), the Go Green financing program (SB 1265), repossession transport interference (SB 1338), and wildlife coexistence (SB 1135). Most measures passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 920 passed 28-1, SB 1265 passed 26-5, and SB 1135 passed with two no votes. The session concluded with a Veterans Caucus adjournment-in-memory ceremony honoring 82 fallen service members, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our own governor started an estate winery himself next door to Chateau Montelena, where he launched O'Donovan
• Next door to Chateau Montelena, where he launched Odette wines, and he will tell you the reason they're
• So please join me in welcoming the pioneers who launched California's wine industry globally and changed
• Space Force Lieutenant Colonel Cox Jason from Vandenberg.

Transcript Highlights:

• The result has been to empower real markets in a space where, as we all know, PBM pricing is notoriously
• I eventually took that data and launched a nonprofit organization called 46 Brooklyn Research, where
• Upon launching that organization in 2018, we were bombarded by state attorneys general, employers, and
• I launched a consulting firm in 2019 called Three-Axis Advisors.

Bills: SB511 , SB512 , HB591 , HB909 , HB938 , HB1154 , HB1187

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians launched new businesses, supporting job creation and economic growth.
• Californians launched new businesses, supporting job creation, and economic growth.
• As we prepare to launch the first round of the program next month, As we prepare to launch the first
• The CA RISE program received a $25 million appropriation via the Budget Act of 2022, launched in 2023
• And so we’ve been working pretty closely to make sure that as we are about to launch the program—next

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think in that space we have to come forward and help bring resolution and help bring the right
• And so I think in in that space<00:30:23.840><c> we</c><00:30:24.080><c> have</c><00:30:24.240><c> to
• we have to um come forward and and space we have to um come forward and and um<00:30:27.840><c> help
• Uh launched a new pilot the pandemic.
• So the late payment charges would enable Xcel to launch that program this year and provide assistance

Bills: HF3458 , HF3777 , HF3778 , HF3912

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We manage the people and the spaces where laws are written, where policies are implemented, and we're
• the development of the commercial space industry in the state.
• This is Bryce Kennedy from the Space Valley Foundation, and this is Dan Crouch from New Space New Mexico
• We have Redwire Space here as well.
• We have a bunch of space companies, especially at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Distinguished Chair of the Education Committee for the work that he’s done in the literacy space
• to the Distinguished Chair of the Education Committee for the work that he’s done in the literacy space
• to the Distinguished Chair of the Education Committee for the work that he’s done in the literacy space
• there was recited a number of funding sources, whether it be the early literacy fund or the literacy launch
• to the Distinguished Chair of the Education Committee for the work that he has done in the literacy space

Transcript Highlights:

• So is there anything else that I need to talk about before we get going, or can we just launch in?
• Additionally, there's no guidance about managing trespass of pore space.
• In the HHW space, that is often not the case, and I'll give you an example.
• The more successful programs in this space have gotten scope right from the beginning.
• The more successful programs in this space have gotten scope right from the beginning.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm in support of this because it helps incentivize communities to create defensible space, harden
• So I'm in support of this because it helps incentivize communities to create defensible space, harden
• IBHS requires specific vegetation spacing, but these standards may conflict with planning, zoning, and
• If the occupant continues to use a storage space for 30 days after receiving a rental agreement, that
• The customer continues to occupy the space for 30 days.

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, we are launching in our fifth year. ...settings.
• As you know, we are launching in our fifth year, and we have a lot of lessons learned.
• And last December, we did launch the administration launched the Public Health Network Information Exchange
• guess the only thing you would do is ban it, but I'm just trying to find another solution in this space
• I'd love to have you as a partner in that space. Yes, happy to talk offline around that.

Transcript Highlights:

• It took into account the type of course needed, the time frame for which they could launch the event,
• museums; they are vital learning centers, archives of presidential decision-making, and dynamic civic spaces
• administered by the Texas Historical Commission to support exhibit enhancements, promote tourism, and launch
• Actually, the South by Southwest story goes all the way back to 1987 when we launched as a small music-only
• Actually, the South by Southwest story goes all the way back to 1987 when we launched as a small music-only

Bills: HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• And what are we doing in this space?
• You're looking at large land space, right?
• So that's a very sizable amount of space.
• On the bottom right here, you see these different types of spaces: laboratory space, wellness space,
• office spaces, collaboration spaces.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the availability of presentation materials, then moved into a series of technical briefings from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent federal and DOE efforts to streamline nuclear regulation for advanced reactors, including NRC Part 53 and upcoming Part 57 rulemaking, DOE authorization updates, crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements, and use of AI to speed licensing communications and document review. He emphasized that the goal is to align safety standards for advanced technologies, reduce rework for developers, and support deployment for commercial, defense, and research uses. In response to questions, he said there is no current plan to merge agencies, but there is more information-sharing and embedded NRC staff at DOE facilities; he also noted public outreach is supported through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, covering uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and recycling. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), DOE’s HALEU Availability Program, and the need to expand domestic enrichment, deconversion, and transportation capacity to support advanced reactors and the 2050 nuclear growth goal. He also reviewed used fuel management, including on-site storage at operating and shutdown reactors, the Center for Used Fuel Research at INL, a high-burnup research cask project, and the long-term repository question, which he said is ultimately political as well as technical. He outlined reprocessing approaches—aqueous/Purex, pyrochemical, and fluoride volatility—describing INL’s work on electrochemical processing of EBR-II fuel and noting industry interest from several companies in recycling technologies. Ashley Shields presented on AI for nuclear applications, describing INL’s use of generative AI, high-performance computing, and digital-twin tools to accelerate reactor design, licensing, operations, and materials development. She highlighted the Prometheus effort to pursue highly automated reactor design and operation, the large documentation burden for reactor licensing, and ongoing work on autonomous control, remote operation, and AI-assisted materials qualification through the Vulcan challenge and related data platforms. In questions, she said AI tools are used under data-governance and security controls, with different models chosen for different tasks, and argued that software engineers and human oversight remain necessary. The session ended with a brief recess announcement and a transition to a later presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• including 447 felony arrests, 2,883 stolen vehicles. 159 elicit firearms seized since the operation's launch
• felony arrests, 940 stolen vehicles recovered, and 73 elicit firearms seized since the operation's launch
• And 18 illicit firearms seized since the operation's launch in October of 2024.
• By 1 o'clock, just 4 hours after launching a multi-agency effort, we could see the girl's body.
• We have a really a lack of safe spaces for them to turn to on the streets and a lot of safe unsafe places

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been progressing on the expansion of the Aggie Innovation Space, which is expected to be completed
• It's going to have a lot of open spaces, areas for student interaction, capstone design classes, and
• As I mentioned before, we’re expanding our ag innovation space.
• students that works out of mechanical and aerospace engineering that designs, plans, builds, and launches
• They have an actinide chemistry group that... ...occupy a couple of the labs and some office space, and

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• grant applications such as the DNR grant in Bule and the USDA grant in Parker's Prairie, and the launch
• Um, for example, the city of Bule has a nursing home that is experiencing a lot of extra space.
• Our Money Matters and Career Launch programs are providing young people with the skills and training
• for kids between school and secure space for kids between school and home<00:57:21.799><c> they</c><
• programs are providing career launch programs are providing young<01:00:03.000><c> people</c><01:00:

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It might sound trendy, but the reality is that we're taking away road space from drivers at a time when
• So this bill also restricts cities from reallocating roadway space for safety, transit, freight, and
• initiatives of shrinking roads, removing parking, and installing bike and bus lanes. leaving less space
• The MyPlates program was officially launched in November 2009. Since that time, now, over 15...
• As I mentioned, we launched in 2009.

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a full-service business center, and they also have a meeting space that's available for local
• in the library for small business owners to be able to utilize. adult maker space in the library for
• They have a full service business center and they also have a meeting space that's available for local
• They also offer meeting spaces and serve as civic hubs.
• And, again, access to free public space is so important for a variety of things.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so that is really a major, major, major part of what I would want to see, what we can do in that space
• Part of what I would want to see, what we can do in that space too.
• Another space you saw it in was in the condo space following Surfside.
• I know that we have had to turn to some private space as a result of vacancies, sorry, a lack of space
• Tallahassee is a very high-use space. We don't have a whole lot of vacancies.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The creation of a Center for Excellence on Family Finding and Engagement, and the launch of kinship accelerator
• We're only about a year in, so we've launched in each of the eight counties, but they're all in that
• We are seeing it in many other spaces, and you're correct, in terms of we've been relying so much on
• The successful launch of TRS is predicated on two precipitating events: that CARES goes live smoothly
• As I mentioned earlier, TRS is predicated on the successful launch of CARES.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• The racial wealth gap surfaces in so many different spaces.
• A real community example: just a few weeks ago, I attended the launch of Advancing Chicopee Together.
• Beyond that, we recently launched a new health care affordability working group.
• In August 2024, MassVentures and EOED launched the Founders School, a pre-accelerator for early-stage
• State economic development policy can do a great deal in this space.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, with no bills heard. Chairs Bud Williams and Miranda opened by framing the issue as a structural, long-standing disparity affecting Black and brown communities, citing major gaps in wealth, income, housing, and opportunity. Members noted this was the fourth hearing in a series on federal impacts on racial equity, and public written testimony was invited by the posted deadline. Administration witnesses Secretary Lauren Jones, Secretary Kiami Mahania, and Assistant Secretary Juan Vega described how labor, health, and economic development policy intersect with wealth-building. Jones pointed to higher unemployment, wage gaps, and underemployment among Black and Latino workers, and highlighted ESOL, workforce training, MassHire, and skills-based hiring efforts. Mahania argued poverty drives poor health, linking medical debt, Medicaid instability, maternal health, and chronic disease to wealth loss, and said federal changes could worsen both health and wealth gaps. Vega focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing disparities in business ownership and revenue, and described state efforts such as small business technical assistance, founder pipelines, place-based grants, and the Business Front Door; members also pressed him on microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, and whether state programs were reaching firms that had received prior grants. Nicole O’Bean of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts testified that Black-owned businesses face a hostile environment due to tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital barriers, and federal funding cuts that reduce contracts from education, health care, and nonprofit sectors. She emphasized that certification alone is not enough and called for stronger inclusive procurement outcomes, better data, and more support for microbusinesses. Dr. Melissa Colon and Dr. Fabian Torres-Dal of the Mauricio Gaston Institute testified on Latino wealth gaps, especially low homeownership, high rent burden, limited access to credit, and occupational segregation; they said structural racism, wage gaps, and education inequities are central drivers and urged housing, labor, and education reforms. Committee members repeatedly linked the hearing’s themes to redlining, medical debt, single-parent households, financial literacy, and the need for legislation and state programs to close the gap, but no votes or formal actions were taken.