Transcript Highlights:

• Both organizations support this legislation. This bill addresses our workforce.
• So both organizations respectfully urge you to support and pass this legislation. Thank you.
• Thank you very much, Representative, and I appreciate it, Secretary, for this type of legislation.
• This type of legislation, it's got good metrics, and that's what we're looking for.
• We want to see legislation and funding that we see a return on investment, right?

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met to hear House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Garrett and Representative Cates, which would continue and support apprenticeship and workforce training funding. The sponsors and the Department of Workforce Solutions described strong growth in apprenticeship participation, especially in the building trades, and said the fund has helped expand programs while maintaining high retention and employment outcomes. They emphasized that the bill would provide predictable, sustained investment in skilled labor needed for construction, infrastructure, and other growing sectors. Supportive testimony came from contractors, chambers of commerce, trade unions, and a small business owner, all of whom said apprenticeship funding is essential to meeting workforce shortages and keeping workers in New Mexico. Committee members asked about program demographics, geographic distribution, rural participation, reentry and high school dropout data, and how apprenticeships connect to displaced workers from energy and industrial closures. The secretary explained that the department uses Rapid Response and economic transition programs for layoffs and closures, and also surveys current energy workers to gauge retraining interest. Several members praised the bill’s return on investment and retention of workers in the state, while Representative de Rassas suggested adding more public transparency and performance metrics. Representative Ortiz asked about future funding after 2031 and whether the program could scale with more money. After discussion, Representative Hall moved a do pass, Representative de Rassas seconded, and the committee approved House Bill 7 with no opposition. The chair also announced upcoming committee meetings and asked members to consent to sharing contact information for committee purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to House and Senate Legislative Audit.
• If Kathy's team hadn't identified this and reached out to us, then I guess Legislative Audit would have
• Oh, and does your team make recommendations to prosecutors, or is that only through Legislative Audit
• So sometimes it is already to the prosecutor before it gets to Legislative Audit.
• In the past, has this been anything that Legislative Audit has noticed, or has it been a finding in the

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The House and Senate Legislative Audit committee met to approve prior minutes and review four higher education audit reports. Staff first presented the University of Arkansas System report, which included three findings that had been certified and referred to the Governmental Bonding Board, the attorney general, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney: unauthorized purchases at UAPB totaling about $37,000, a fraud scheme involving falsified FAFSA/transcript records at East Arkansas Community College with about $66,000 in losses, and unallowable charges in the Veterans Upward Bound program at UA Fayetteville totaling $8,500, of which $6,700 was recovered. Committee members praised the institutions’ internal audit and management teams for identifying the issues and asked detailed questions about how the fraud was detected, especially the online student identity-theft scheme at EACC and the safeguards now being used to verify student identity and prevent similar cases. EACC officials explained that the fraudulent admissions involved online applicants using falsified transcripts and identity-theft tactics, that 39 suspicious students were identified, and that seven slipped through far enough to receive federal aid, resulting in a $2,500 reimbursement obligation to the university. They said the college now uses a cross-departmental student validity team, extensive red-flag protocols, direct outreach to high schools, ID verification, and other checks, and that the issue has been shared across the UA system and with other campuses. UA Fayetteville also clarified that no veterans were harmed by the Veterans Upward Bound finding; the program was closed and students were redirected to other veteran support programs in the state. The committee then deferred the Northwest Arkansas Community College report. Staff next summarized two additional reports, from Southeast Arkansas College and Southern Arkansas University Tech, which contained only financial statement misstatements corrected during audit fieldwork; SAU Tech also had a finding involving unauthorized withdrawals that the college discovered and recovered. With no further questions, the committee voted without objection to file the reviewed reports and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at a point right now where, quite candidly, and the legislators know this, and it's—I'm not even
• If Minnesotans want to know, these legislators are working hard.
• If motans want to know, these legislators<00:07:02.160><c> are</c><00:07:02.319><c> working</c><00:07
• </c><00:07:02.960><c> They're</c> legislators are working hard.
• They're legislators are working hard.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California is a national leader in the arts, but we are behind on this type of legislation.
• California is a national leader in the arts, but we are behind on this type of legislation.
• I also want to thank the author for bringing this legislation forward.
• I don't know if this piece of legislation is the one that's going to deal with monopolies.
• This is an important piece of legislation.

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:10.280><c> update</c> legislative update legislative update here<00:52:12.920><c> so</c><00:52
• <01:25:42.520><c> just</c><01:25:42.679><c> a</c> legislation just a legislation just a theoretical<01
• legislative legislative action<01:26:17.960><c> if</c><01:26:18.280><c> this</c><01:26:18.840><c> bill
• <02:02:31.199><c> and</c> legislation and legislation and um<02:02:34.320><c> it</c><02:02:34.560><c>
• </c> rules has to have a legislative rules has to have a legislative imperative<04:40:06.320><c> so</

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our bill also mandates annual reporting to increase transparency and legislative oversight.
• Our bill does not reduce department... ...and legislative oversight.
• When resources are limited, and they always are, clear legislative direction matters.
• I have separate legislation around transparency myself in a totally other field.
• this bill, on animal-related legislation.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But just clarify, this does not appropriate any money in this legislation.
• This is not calling for an legislation.
• ALEC endorsed this model legislation.
• The entire goal of model legislation is The entire goal of model legislation is to<00:09:31.560><c> fund
• We've passed this legislation several times.

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 19th Legislative District in Pacific County, I do have such a sheriff.
• President, this legislation is about accountability. Under this legislation, our law enforcement...
• Texas and Georgia have passed similar legislation. Mr.
• President, will be the first victim this legislation, if passed, will claim.
• But yet this legislation could have removed him.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would modernize and strengthen laws governing sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, and other law enforcement agencies, particularly by setting certification and background-check standards and addressing what happens if an elected sheriff is decertified. The chamber first considered several amendments focused on preserving voter control over sheriffs, limiting the bill’s reach, and shifting costs to the state. Amendment 632, which would have required a recall-style vote if a sheriff were found uncertified, failed. Amendment 628, which would have excluded foreign convictions from consideration, failed. Amendment 633, which would have made the state pay background-check costs, failed. Amendment 634, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s five-year uninterrupted employment requirement, failed on a roll call vote of 21 yeas to 28 nays. Members then rejected additional amendments: Amendment 631, which would have carved out an exception for Capitol security personnel, failed; Amendment 629, which would have prevented a vacancy if a sheriff was acting consistently with the state and U.S. constitutions, failed; Amendment 630, which would have created a private right of action for removed sheriffs, failed; and Amendment 627, which would have retained language barring men and women from being confined in the same cell when removing an old “police matron” provision, failed on a roll call vote of 19 yeas to 30 nays. Supporters of the bill argued it was about accountability, integrity, and aligning sheriffs with certification standards already applied to other law enforcement officers. Opponents argued it would override voter choice, create unfunded mandates, and let an unelected state body remove elected sheriffs. After amendments were disposed of, the Senate suspended the rules and advanced the bill to third reading and final passage. In final debate, supporters emphasized public safety, professional standards, and the need for clear decertification rules when a sheriff loses certification. Opponents repeatedly framed the bill as an unconstitutional intrusion on local democracy and a solution in search of a problem, warning it would disenfranchise voters and set a dangerous precedent. The transcript ends during final-passage debate, with no final vote on the bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Matt Gress, Legislative District 4, includes Scottsdale, Arcadia...
• , so I don't want to violate the law and be thrown in legislative jail.
• I work on the legislative affairs team at the governor's office, so I'm the lobbyist here.
• the legislative appropriation include school counselors and social workers and then the legislative
• And should we have legislation explicitly directing those agencies to work with you?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And my compliments to you and whoever legislator is behind this piece of legislation, because I think
• And I can assure you that when we were going through the 2025 legislative...
• Those fees were set relatively low after intense conversations in the 2020 legislative session.
• Those fees were set relatively low after intense conversations in the 2020 legislative session.
• Some of you have seen this chart during the last legislative... ...content material.

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We strive to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so we can have effective
• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• This bill, your Legislative Counsel has labeled this bill as a mandate, yes.
• This bill, your Legislative Counsel has labeled this bill as a mandate, yes.
• That was the intent of the original legislation, SB 1266, from Senator Huff.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an opportunity for Ross Brown from the Legislative Analyst Office to comment.
• Gathered last time to discuss our legislative budget. This is a product of a lot of tough choices.
• So thank you for that piece of legislation, and we stand in support. Good morning, Mr.
• This bill further undoes thoughtful legislation over the last five to six years.
• And so the unforeseen knock-on effects have not been really realized in this legislation.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I don't rise to debate the merits of the legislation.
• Those contained provisions that are not within the legislation before us.
• I don't believe that's in this legislation.
• That was also removed from the legislation before us. Thank you, Senator Davis. Great.
• , Representative Overdorf in the back, and he's worked so hard on this legislation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into special order and returning messages. Early floor action included passage of HB 6503 (relief for Mandy Penny Lamon by Sarasota County), HB 1123 (sewer collection systems), HB 211 (farm products), and a joint resolution on ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural tangible personal property, all approved without opposition. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the chamber recessed and later returned to messages from the House. The Senate then took up a series of House amendments and conference-style motions on major bills. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response was amended and concurred in after debate over hurricane recovery, local government moratoriums, evacuation timing in the Keys, and property tax and redevelopment provisions; it passed 34-1. CS/HB 1609 on waste incineration and auxiliary containers was heavily debated over plastic and polystyrene preemption, local beach and park regulations, and landfill/incinerator provisions, then passed 26-10. CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiatives was amended to allow volunteers to carry up to 25 petitions without registration/training and passed 28-9. The Senate also refused to concur in a House amendment to SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, and in SB 116 on veterans, seeking to restore funding for veteran suicide prevention. Later, the chamber approved or advanced several education and health-related bills. CS/HB 1255 on education was amended and passed, with changes to school readiness and other education provisions. CS/HB 875 on educator preparation passed after discussion of cognitive science, classroom management, teacher excellence programs, and the phaseout of the general knowledge test. CS/HB 1105, a large education package, passed after debate over charter school conversions, cell phone restrictions, and other school governance changes. In health care, CS/HB 1427 was introduced as a comprehensive package combining multiple health-related provisions, though the excerpt ends before final action on that bill. Throughout the day, the Senate also concurred or refused to concur in various House amendments on mental health, financial institutions, land development, brownfields, and out-of-network provider legislation, with votes generally recorded and several measures passing on divided but mostly favorable roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The House will come to order.
• We will now hear the report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, pursuant to Rules
• And Sam O'Neill, who was our committee legislative assistant.
• Our committee legislative assistants, Chris Ohlendorf and Rebecca Reiners.
• The difference is we know that they can always reach the legislator to ask that legislator for their

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Anytime that we in the legislator Anytime that we in the legislator legislature<01:17:48.320><c>
• </c> taxation, but we in the legislative taxation, but we in the legislative branch<01:18:10.400><c>
• </c> On a lot of things, a lot of legislation On a lot of things, a lot of legislation doesn't<01:22:
• Representative Farrington. gimmick legislation that looks good on a gimmick legislation that looks good
• </c><02:13:43.040><c> So,</c> legislative body that does this. So, legislative body that does this.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> wherein a proposed piece of legislation wherein a proposed piece of legislation open<03:11:55.040
• </c><03:28:21.399><c> at</c> sort of legislation we'd be looking at sort of legislation we'd be looking
• </c> what I'm saying is that this this legisl what I'm saying is that this this legisl has<03:53:15.040
• </c> Thomas for introducing this legislation Thomas for introducing this legislation next<03:54:21.880
• </c> the Supreme Court that the legislator the Supreme Court that the legislator means<04:40:38.798><

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel Ehlers with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Sonia Pidick [questionable spelling], with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Frank Kempennis with the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
• Assemblymember, Danny Yost, legislative director for Caltrans.
• So we, as responsible legislators, need to re-priority.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislator: Okay.
• Legislator: Okay.
• Legislator: Okay. Yeah.
• Legislator: Is it roughly 50/50?
• Vega, does S.B. 6 and the tools that it gives ERCOT and the PUC, in that Legislator: Legislation, does

Committee: House State Affairs

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:

• Emergency legislation, we've already done one actually this year earlier, and it doesn't bypass the legislative
• As all of us know, even in legislation that we pass, when we begin to load up a lot of legislation, we
• I've either drafted or participated in drafting the legislation, all of the legislation and rules that
• Legislation. I mean, we need more specific language in legislation.
• We need more specific language in legislation.

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the legislative director for health and services.
• I am the legislative John Williams.
• Uh this was as one of the legislation.
• I'm the legislative liaison for the Division of Public Health Services.
• but legislative notice of the notice but legislative notice of the fact<00:38:25.200><c> that</c><00

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all