Transcript Highlights:

• The 2024 budget redirected the original investment to the Dollywood Foundation to develop the statewide
• Out of that $1.1 million, they spent almost $600,000 on developing social media.
• Our job was to get books in the hands of 2.2 million kids and to develop an agency and an institution
• And this was supposed to be for them to assist with the Strong Reader Partnership brand, develop all
• Who did you go recruit to develop and get this program into their hands?

Summary: The follow-up informational hearing focused on the State Library’s oversight of the statewide Imagination Library and the Strong Reader Partnership (SRP), including how the original $68.2 million state investment was spent, why funds were not redirected sooner to the Dollywood Foundation, and whether spending complied with AB 157 and later SB 105. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns that SRP and the State Library had been slow to provide documents, that quarterly reporting and other contract requirements were not met on time, and that the State Library did not escalate issues earlier. State Librarian Greg Lucas said the library sent one demand letter, relied on counsel’s view that SRP could continue spending its $4.8 million so long as it furthered the program, and later redirected about $55 million to the Dollywood Foundation after paperwork was submitted. He also acknowledged the library should have shared SRP’s final report with the committee sooner and said the materials eventually received appeared satisfactory, though the chair and Senator Grove remained concerned that there was still no clear accounting of books delivered by SRP. A major portion of the hearing examined SRP’s expenditures and vendor contracts, including Shipyard for marketing and web services, SAGE Strategies for management consulting, Lotus Financial Solutions and other financial vendors, and United Way California Capital Region for a small marketing grant. Committee members questioned whether some spending, especially Changecraft’s work during the AB 157 period, amounted to lobbying or attempts to influence legislation, which the grant agreement prohibited. SRP representatives said the work was communications and stakeholder outreach, not lobbying, and that invoices reflected the board’s oversight and the nonprofit’s startup and closeout phases. They also said some work continued during the rescission and closeout period to unwind contracts and return funds, and that any reporting delays were due to transition, lack of a reporting mechanism from the State Library, and the need to collect records after vendors were canceled. Members of SRP said the nonprofit was created to build the infrastructure for a self-sustaining statewide program, expand local partnerships, and support multilingual outreach in underserved counties. They described a working board that met regularly, selected vendors collectively, and used multiple financial and administrative contractors to maintain checks and balances. However, committee members pressed them on the lack of detailed invoices, the absence of clear metrics showing how many books SRP actually delivered, and the limited apparent return on spending such as the $581,708 Shipyard contract, the $125,000 website work, and the $5,000 United Way grant. No formal vote or legislative action was taken during the hearing; it was an oversight session aimed at obtaining explanations and additional documentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• While Boeing is hard at work developing alternative technologies and each generation of our planes is
• And we look forward to contributing to carbon, the A for A working group, to develop other efforts to
• The project has been actively developed and managed by the same staff and managers who carry out this
• First, to develop and issue formal guidance and technical instructions to all 58 county assessors.
• It's entering its final year of implementation, transitioning from development to the warranty period

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the director of nightlife initiatives from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development
• These are people who are specifically empowered to use economic development or regulatory tools to promote
• Ben Van Houten from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
• The mayor asked each one of them to develop their own local nighttime strategy.
• The mayor asked each one of them to develop their own local nighttime strategy.

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held a hearing titled “Revitalizing California’s Downtowns Through the Nightlife Economy,” focused on how nightlife, arts, entertainment, and late-night transportation can support downtown recovery after the pandemic. Chair Matt Haney framed nightlife as a major economic and cultural sector and said the committee hopes to produce policy, budget, and legislative proposals, building on last year’s downtown recovery bills. The hearing included three panels: nightlife policy experts and a venue owner; representatives from entertainment, tourism, and rideshare; and remote witnesses from London, Philadelphia, and New York discussing how other cities manage 24-hour economies. Witnesses on the first panel emphasized that nightlife is an ecosystem that includes workers, venues, transportation, and public safety. Michael Fishman described the growth of night managers and argued that zoning, licensing, and land costs can either support or choke off creative venues; he also said extending hours can reduce congestion and unsafe spillover if done in a regulated way. Ben Van Houten highlighted San Francisco’s entertainment zones, hospitality zone liquor licenses, Type 90 music venue licenses, and other local reforms, while urging more state coordination and possible tax and licensing changes. Darcy Drolinger of Oasis said independent venues are operating on thin margins, have faced repeated near-closures, and need tools such as extended alcohol service hours to remain viable and preserve community and LGBTQ+ cultural spaces. The second panel focused on tourism, major events, and transportation. Another Planet Entertainment’s Mary Condi said festivals and venues like Outside Lands, the Castro Theatre, and the Fox and Greek theaters draw large numbers of visitors, support hotels and restaurants, and require close coordination with city agencies; she also raised concerns about unexpected possessory interest tax bills and the burden of secondary ticketing and cannabis taxes. Amelia Zamani of Cal Travel said travel and tourism remain a major economic engine and argued that nightlife is central to attracting international visitors, conventions, and major events, especially if California wants to compete with cities that allow later alcohol service. Lyft’s Nicholas Johnson said late-night rides serve workers as well as patrons, reduce DUI risk, and are essential for safe access to downtowns and event venues. In the final panel, officials from London and Philadelphia described their nighttime governance models. London witnesses said the city created a 24-hour city strategy, a night czar, and a nightlife commission, and found that nightlife supports economic activity, workforce retention, and safer, more diverse districts when paired with flexible licensing and better transit. Philadelphia’s Rahim Manning said his city treats the nighttime economy as a major industry, with a $26.2 billion annual impact, and stressed that it includes manufacturing, logistics, health care, transportation, food service, arts, and sports—not just bars and clubs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with committee members asking questions about extended hours, transportation, family-friendly programming, cannabis activation, ticketing, and how California can better support a safe and competitive nighttime economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are people who are specifically empowered to use economic development or regulatory tools to promote
• Ben Van Houten from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
• The mayor asked each one of them to develop their own local nighttime strategy.
• The mayor asked each one of them to develop their own local nighttime strategy.
• Police, fire, health, buildings, transportation, sanitation, economic development, working in concert

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to LRPs, we have seen a myriad of LRP options develop over the last two years throughout
• Nothing done at this time, developed for questions. Great, thank you.
• Moving on to our next department: Community Services and Development, Issue 9.
• Together coalition, and with joint leadership with Covered California and our agency and UCSF, to develop
• It requires the augmentation of authority to meet the increased costs associated with development and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:35.520><c> with</c><00:04:35.680><c> the</c><00:04:35.840><c> Kentucky</c> Development with the
• Kentucky Development with the Kentucky Transportation<00:04:36.800><c> Cabinet.
• with the Kentucky Business Development with the Kentucky Transportation<00:19:38.240><c> Cabinet.
• ,</c><00:26:20.960><c> or</c> training, professional development, or training, professional development
• Also, this year, our supportive services have launched a business development program designed to help

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Defender of the Aina, bane of developers, former dean Denise Antolini.
• ><c> dean</c><00:20:11.280><c> Denise</c> of Developers, former dean Denise of Developers, former dean
• </c> um to so that we can develop um to so that we can develop um<00:25:26.720><c> coordinated</c><00
• This resolution for the Kihei-Mala bypass urges the development of Kihei roads needed for safe egress
• of Kihei roads urges for the development of Kihei roads needed<00:33:29.360><c> for</c><00:33:29.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mandated that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement put together committees of stakeholders to develop
• One of those policies—there were many policies developed.
• One of those policies, there were many policies developed.
• Unsustained complaints, also memos, training memos, the way that we develop officers, every conversation
• Could you also just quickly tell us what the process was for developing this model policy?

Bills: SB693 , SB781 , SB836 , SB860 , SB906 , SB993 , SB1101 , SB1321 , SB1370 , SB1537 , SB1563 , SB1610 , SB1637

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills focused on victim protections, law enforcement tools, notary/deed fraud, sexually violent predators, veterans in jail, tribal policing authority, and peace officer records. Several bills were laid out, heard, and left pending because the committee lacked a quorum for final action on those items. Testimony was generally supportive on bills addressing interpreter appointments, fuel theft investigations, deed fraud, survivor privacy, veteran jailer training, tribal peace officer authority, and officer-record confidentiality, though some bills drew concerns about due process, scope, or drafting. Senate Bill 1537 would clean up criminal procedure language on appointing interpreters and align it with Government Code standards requiring licensed or certified interpreters; it received no public opposition and was left pending. Senate Bill 993 would let Comptroller Criminal Investigative Division officers directly seek warrants for mobile tracking devices in fuel-theft and tax-fraud investigations; it also drew support and was left pending. Senate Bill 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add notary continuing education; a Dallas County prosecutor testified that notary fraud is a major driver of deed theft, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1610, as substituted, would address safety, registration, and criminal penalties at the Texas Civil Commitment Office for sexually violent predators, including assaults on staff and sex-offender registration issues; agency witnesses described increased assaults and operational problems, while a public witness urged waiting for Sunset review and raised due-process concerns. Senate Bill 836 would add privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of trials, expanding pseudonym use, and protecting forensic exam and invasive-recording evidence; survivors and advocates strongly supported it, and defense lawyers said they had no opposition to the substitute. Senate Bill 1563 would require county jailer training on interacting with veterans, with testimony from the Texas Veterans Commission and veterans’ advocates emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 906, which would authorize the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribal police to be commissioned as Texas peace officers like two other federally recognized tribes in Texas; tribal leaders said the change would improve response times and coordination, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 781, as substituted, would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officer personnel and departmental files statewide, mirroring Chapter 143 civil-service practices; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a way to protect personal information and create uniform records practices, but several senators raised concerns that the bill could blur existing disclosure rules or bury misconduct complaints, and public testimony included an opposition witness describing a police shooting involving her brother.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program would proactively disseminate educational and awareness materials, as well as help develop
• Cleare, an act to amend the elder law in relation to creating the Office of Older Adult Workforce Development
• We continue to believe that having the Office of Older Adult Workforce Development in statute is the
• This legislation is developed to ensure transparency, accountability, and ultimately implementation of

Committee: Senate Aging

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Aging Committee met on March 10, 2026, with a quorum present and considered 10 bills focused on services and supports for older New Yorkers. The agenda included measures on dementia information access through New York Connects (S.118A), expanded informal caregiver training (S.903), elder abuse prevention training (S.3180), creation of an Office of Older Adult Workforce Development (S.3750), state handling of income verification for the senior citizen tax exemption (S.4805), a filing extension for the enhanced STAR exemption (S.5069), language access services for senior and disability-related tax abatement programs (S.5280), and sustainability planning for senior centers (S.7160). Committee members and sponsors described these bills as recurring priorities that had passed in prior years, with several aimed at improving access, administration, and outreach. The committee also advanced S.9091, which would establish a state master plan on aging dashboard to improve transparency, accountability, and public tracking of implementation; supporters cited backing from the Statewide Senior Action Council and Livable New York. The final bill, S.9165, would require the Office for the Aging to issue an annual report on budget expenditures for the senior population, with the sponsor saying it would help identify whether resources are adequately reaching older adults across agencies. Several bills were noted as having previously passed the committee and/or floor, and one was described as having been vetoed in prior years despite agreement on the policy goal. All 10 bills were approved by the committee, with most reported to the floor and S.3750 reported to the Finance Committee. No opposition or substantive amendments were recorded during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:05:01.000><c> Um</c> development.
• Um development.
• And it doesn't mean a $2,600 per month rent in a 400-plus unit mass development that out-of-state developers
• </c> in a 400-plus unit mass development in a 400-plus unit mass development that<00:30:04.160><c> out-of-state
• </c><00:30:04.640><c> developers</c><00:30:05.200><c> quickly</c> that out-of-state developers quickly

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered the conference committee report on House File 1141, a housing bill, and moved to adopt the report and repass the bill as amended. Rep. Howard said the compromise would help build thousands of new homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, EHPAP, supportive housing, and a new provision for greater public access at MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate proposals, including a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases, were not included. Several members spoke in support of the compromise. Rep. Kozlowski emphasized the bill’s role in addressing housing instability, homelessness, and workforce shortages, citing investments in first-generation homebuyer assistance, supportive housing, and preservation of beds and units. Rep. Skraba and Rep. West also supported the bill, with Skraba praising the bipartisan process and West arguing the bill focused on supply-side solutions such as manufactured housing and easing development constraints. Rep. Schultz opposed the bill, arguing the money should instead go to school safety, fraud prevention, asset preservation, and lowering costs for taxpayers. After brief discussion, the House adopted the conference report and advanced the bill to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a quick question about the human development centers.
• But it allowed school districts to develop salary schedules on their own.
• development, there will be additional funding for that education, economic education program.
• So I think the short answer to your question is we're working on developing the plan.
• Maybe you haven't got your plan developed, but what's your thoughts on that? Sure.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here in our state and that's development here in our state and that's what<00:04:56.039><c> this</c>
• And Section 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development
• Section 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and
• Section 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and
• Section 5 states that it is the goal of the Minnesota state of Minnesota to support the development and

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• rebuilding, increases costs, and leaves communities vulnerable to disorganized recovery and speculative development
• the Office of Emergency Services and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to develop
• AB 2385 does clarify state law that would allow a city or county to develop these disaster recovery plans
• Developing these plans unlocks a very powerful tool at the local level.
• maybe made sense at the time because OES had to do rollout of the technology, now as we continue to develop

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire, disaster recovery, and behavioral health bills. AB 1960 would allow Cal Fire wildfire prevention grants to fund community-level home hardening projects, and AB 1964 would require the State Fire Marshal to survey the number of homes needing upgrades to very high fire-hardening standards and estimate the cost. Supporters for both bills included Fire Aside, Megafire Action, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the Nature Conservancy; there was no opposition. Committee members praised the community-focused approach and the need to better measure progress on home hardening. The committee also heard AB 2385, which would clarify state law so local governments can create local reconstruction agencies and plan disaster recovery in advance, with model ordinances and technical assistance from state agencies. The League of California Cities supported the bill, saying it would help cities and counties recover more quickly and orderly after disasters; members cited the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations and urged preserving the bill’s authorities. No opposition was heard. AB 2093, a cleanup and governance bill for California’s 988 crisis response system, would address implementation problems from AB 988, including unclear leadership, coordination gaps between 988 and 911, and funding structure issues. The Steinberg Institute and several behavioral health and advocacy organizations supported the measure, while the County Behavioral Health Directors Association opposed unless amended. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the consent calendar and all four bills—AB 1960, AB 1964, AB 2093, and AB 2385—to the Appropriations Committee, with each measure ultimately reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really hope that you will call upon the knowledge that I have developed at great personal sacrifice
• I really hope that you will call upon the knowledge that I have developed at great personal sacrifice
• lieu of going to graduate school, I have co-founded an international unincorporated association to develop
• We can get their cooperation when we listen to them and develop their trust.
• get voted against because of misinformation, lack of information, and the weaponization of their developing

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce development is also really, really important. I echo my colleagues' comments on that.
• As the landscape for work changes, including interaction with AI and other developments, it's also important
• to meet workforce development with programs that are the responsibilities of other budget committees
• Workforce development, echo my colleagues' comments on that.
• we have now to an interaction with AI and things, but it's also important to meet the workforce development

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation met with a quorum present and took up a vote-only agenda on a large set of budget issues across corrections, public safety, judiciary, labor, and transportation. One public commenter, Edward Hasbrook of the Identity Project, opposed the DMV state-to-state Real ID proposal, arguing that uploading driver data to the AMVA/Spex database would expose Californians’ information to federal and out-of-state access and should be removed from the budget for fuller consideration. The committee then voted on multiple grouped items in Part A, Part B, and Part C, generally adopting staff recommendations. Most votes passed with either unanimous support or two-to-one margins, with Senator Seyarto occasionally voting no or not voting. The actions were described as reflecting the Senate’s budget plan and were intended to be folded into the broader budget agreement. In closing comments, the chair and members highlighted several issues they want to continue pursuing in negotiations, including privacy and security concerns with the Real ID state-to-state system, rehabilitation and reentry programming, workforce training, and expansion of the Wildfire Mitigation Grant Program. Senator DeRazzo also emphasized support for justice-system programs, public defenders, trauma recovery centers, and workforce initiatives, while Senator Seyarto stressed transportation funding, court capacity for Prop. 36 implementation, and broader workforce and business development. The chair thanked public participants, staff, consultants, sergeants, and the Department of Finance and LAO, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• part up front, I just took a straw poll with my committee, your... ...your committee on economic development
• They deleted the expansion of access to the cannabis development fund beyond the limited scope of existing
• And I think particularly for the um, to celebrate the foresight of our chair of Senate Economic Development
• If you listen to the news this morning, ICE has now come developing all sorts of new ways to look at
• that we had in the original report had asked about the The agricultural use immediately before development

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just as a quick follow-up, so you would see this funding as really for that maybe initial development
• They are one of the few key ingredient manufacturers that are developing some key ingredients for pharmaceuticals
• right here in the state of Missouri, and they're the only ones developing those key ingredients in the
• They are one of the few key ingredient manufacturers that are developing some key ingredients for pharmaceuticals
• right here in the state of Missouri, and they're the only ones developing those key ingredients in the

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first called the roll and established a quorum, then heard Senate Bill 1553, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory. The bill is aimed at reshoring critical supply chains to the United States through tax credits and related incentives for production of pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, materials, and metals. Gregory said the Senate version added clarifying language tying eligible materials to federal critical-materials and FDA lists. Witnesses in support described the bill as a national security measure and an economic development tool for Missouri, citing dependence on China and India for medicines and materials, forced labor concerns in cobalt supply chains, and examples of Missouri companies and institutions already working in pharmaceutical and mineral production. Several supporters noted the bill’s incentives would be difficult to use without additional federal support, and one witness said the transferable tax credits were a key strength, though the scope could be narrowed in the future. Support testimony came from Douglas Jost of Jost Chemical Company, Jared Hankinson of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Matt Thompson of the API Innovation Center, Michael Givens of Doe Run Company, and Matthew Smith of Associated Industries of Missouri. Their comments emphasized supply-chain vulnerability, national security, and Missouri’s existing manufacturing base. No opposition or informational testimony was presented, and there were no substantive questions after the witnesses. The committee then moved into executive session and voted unanimously, 9-0, to report Senate Bill 1553 do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• excuse me, public authorities law in relation to the authorizing New York State Energy Research and Development
• Authorities Law in relation to the annual reporting obligations of the New York State Energy Research and Development
• Authorities Law in relation to the annual reporting obligations of the New York State Energy Research and Development
• authorities law in relation to the annual reporting allegations of New York State Energy Research and Development
• Authority's law in relation to the annual reporting allegations of New York State Energy Research and Development

Committee: Senate Energy And Telecommunications

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Cameron Parker, considered a large agenda focused on utility consumer protections, rate transparency, NYSERDA oversight, and energy transition policy. Several bills were discussed in detail, including measures to prohibit residential utility shutoffs during extreme temperature forecasts (Bill 120A), delay shutoffs and late fees while a utility is under certain PSC investigations (Bill 904B), require disclosure of planned rate increases (Bill 4989A), limit certain utility charges after 12 months (Bill 8710), and require utilities to disclose more information with major rate change applications (Bill 9433A). The committee also considered bills on net energy metering credits (Bill 1553), reconnection for low-income customers (Bill 965), sanctions and civil penalties (Bill 8908), and annual NYSERDA reporting obligations (Bill 1819). Members raised recurring concerns about affordability, arrears, and who ultimately bears costs when utilities are prevented from collecting immediately. Senator Walczyk repeatedly questioned whether protections would shift costs to other ratepayers, while sponsors and the chair emphasized that the bills did not erase arrears but created temporary consumer protections. Senator May noted that some proposals could produce significant savings for ratepayers. On Bill 1819, Senator Walczyk supported greater accountability for NYSERDA’s use of ratepayer-funded money. Bill 1668, which would authorize NYSERDA to administer grants for switching residents to electric heat pumps, drew questions about funding; staff said it would be funded off-budget from existing sources and would have no direct state cost, though it could require shifting existing program resources. The committee advanced most bills to third reading after motions and votes, with several measures receiving no votes but still moving forward. Bill 2477 was held for possible amendments. Bill 4989A was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee. Bill 5111, the Just Energy Transition Act, prompted extended discussion about its study timeline and a PSC order to facilitate replacement and redevelopment of at least 4 gigawatts of fossil fuel generation; the bill was advanced to third reading after debate. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the committee completed its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2981, beginning July 1, 2027, prohibits minimum off-street parking requirements for any new development
• It also requires operators to develop protocols to prevent the production of suicidal ideation for account
• Uh requires operators<00:04:19.359><c> to</c><00:04:19.519><c> develop</c><00:04:19.759><c> protocols
• </c><00:04:20.160><c> to</c> operators to develop protocols to operators to develop protocols to prevent

Bills: SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2986 , SB2991 , SB3001 , SB3010 , SB3014 , SB3032 , SB3033

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements. The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures. Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which makes various changes related to the content and process for an integrated resource plan developed
• to enable stakeholders to create modeling scenarios for the utility's consideration during the development
• The bill requires the SCC to establish guidelines that ensure that utilities develop comprehensive IRPs
• The bill also requires the CEUR to convene a work group to develop recommendations regarding planning
• And finally, Madam Chair, the bill requires the SCC to develop and publish a notification form by September

Committee: House Labor and Commerce

Keywords: House Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all