Transcript Highlights:

• So we use a variety of tools to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place.
• I have first a request, and that request is that, maybe a little odd here, but so important, so important
• through legislation or through funding.
• Funding requests come in all the time, and in the end they are approved.
• Because today, like every day, legislative oversight matters.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strict enforcement has been requested by Mr. Harrison.
• So this legislation was not done in a silo.
• A record vote has been requested. The clerk will ring the bell. A record vote has been requested.
• He, in fact, was a legislator, a state legislator in the state of Coahuila and Texas, in what was Mexico
• I'm not just a legislator.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> here you will also see our legislative here you will also see our legislative liaison<00:45:49.520
• </c><00:58:10.000><c> for</c> um and we're currently in request for um and we're currently in request
• </c> gallery over here she is our legislative gallery over here she is our legislative liaison<01:53:
• </c> my role and capacity as legislative my role and capacity as legislative director<02:15:26.599><c
• </c> helping coordinating legislative helping coordinating legislative activity<02:15:36.679><c> for<

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Analyst's Office; and Drew Soderberg, Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Legislative Analysis Office. I think, Mr. Chair. Orlando Sanchez with the LAO.
• Drew Sotomayor, Legislative Analyst's Office. Drew Sotomayor, Legislative Analyst's Office.
• So we have still been receiving The reimbursement request.
• And any comments on the request of putting it in statute?

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The solutions lie in legislative and regulatory levers.
• So are we asking questions about the legislation as well?
• Utah passed that legislation, which is what I had been looking at.
• So Sheriff John Allen requested this legislation, stating that individuals with prior felony convictions
• It's still during the legislative period of pendency on that legislation.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also following, of course, Senator Perry and Senator Bettencourt's legislation, which of course..
• Members, this bill appropriates funding out of the Economic Stabilization Fund, something we have not
• Therefore, I believe this is an appropriate use of the fund. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• The second appropriation I wanted to highlight is the $24 million for enhanced weather measurements,
• and half the request for the Texas Mesonet coverage.

Bills: SB3 , SB 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:38.559><c> personal</c> I request a moment of personal I request a moment of personal privilege
• We move SB5 in the committee reports from Judiciary and Appropriations to the appropriations committee
• </c> uh under the legislation. uh under the legislation.
• Seeing none, a division has been requested. Good. Division has been requested.
• </c> or any other appropriate relief. or any other appropriate relief.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I request the yeas and nays. Yeas and nays are requested.
• Yay and are request the yays and nays. Yay and are requested. requested. requested.
• </c> important work on this legislation. important work on this legislation.
• I'd request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• </c> This legislation, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Journal of the House, 94th Session, 2025, 27th legislative day, St.
• First reading, Senate File Number 2077, an act relating to state government, appropriating money for
• </c><00:06:41.840><c> money</c><00:06:42.080><c> for</c> government, appropriating money for government
• administration of the house legislative administration of the house of<00:08:09.440><c> the</c><00:08
• Representative Niska requests a recess to the call of the Speaker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Out-of-pocket costs at the point of service are a barrier to getting appropriate care.
• In terms of how they might do their calculations, it was taken out at their request, some of them, but
• I would like to hear your response to the request to extend the sunset.
• I've only met or know of one person who actually was a legislator who had a natural LDL in higher age
• I just want to make a request when you're going through your studies.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've done. numerous public information requests.
• We are spending precious legislative time toward the end of this legislative session on a bill called
• Well, it's subject to appropriation, but...
• Is that appropriate?
• he requested to God.

Bills: HB4 , HB54 , SB 10 , SB 24 , HB4 , HB54 , HB775 , HB850 , HB 1122 , HB 1249 , HB1405 , HB2336 , HB2757 , HB3372 , HB3622 , HB4442 , HB4687 , HB4893 , HB5089 , HB5515 , HB5606 , SB10 , SB24 , HB1573 , HB3369

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• So the A1 amendment um is um language from the Bureau of Mediation Services um and they requested that
• Services<00:01:04.080><c> um</c><00:01:04.960><c> and</c><00:01:05.199><c> they</c><00:01:05.439><c> requested
• </c><00:01:05.840><c> that</c> Services um and they requested that Services um and they requested that
• four months now to handle the kinds of issues that you hear about and we think that's right and appropriate
• that there is a um a appropriate that there is a um a resource<00:15:43.279><c> center</c><00:15:43.519

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• Chairman, fall with favorably at the appropriate time.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to move favorable.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to move favorably on this piece of legislation.
• Thank you, and now is the appropriate time.

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if this budget request is to be approved, these will be the important features we will be requesting
• request a more tactical approach to this.
• They respond to resource requests. They have an online series of tools that are available.
• And I suspect the request from Mr.
• We will continue to have conversations with them to understand their request.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on how H.R. 1’s new federal work and community engagement rules will affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh, especially for Californians with behavioral health needs, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved individuals. The Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined the scope of the changes, including Medi-Cal work requirements beginning in January 2027 and CalFresh changes beginning in June 2026, and estimated large potential coverage losses if people cannot document exemptions or comply with reporting rules. State departments said they are still awaiting some federal guidance but are already building implementation plans, data matching, outreach campaigns, and system changes to reduce disruption and automatically identify exemptions where possible. Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services officials described efforts to use existing data, CalSAWS, and cross-program coordination to streamline exemption screening, including for medical frailty, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and student status. They said outreach will include text messaging, webinars, county training, and community-based partners, while also acknowledging that many people will still need direct worker contact. County representatives stressed that the new rules will create major administrative burdens, require significant new staffing, and could lead to coverage loss if counties are not adequately funded. They urged the Legislature to release the $20 million in current-year General Fund for CalFresh implementation and to consider a much larger county augmentation next year. Assembly members pressed the administration on outreach strategy, county funding, consistency across counties, and how to avoid harming eligible people through overly aggressive implementation. They also asked about coordination with universities, CDCR, and community-based organizations, and about how exemptions would be documented for mental health and substance use conditions. Department officials said they are working with counties, education institutions, and correctional agencies, and that they are trying to align Medi-Cal and CalFresh rules where possible, but not all federal definitions match. Public commenters from legal aid, counties, labor, and public hospitals warned that work requirements do not increase employment, will worsen food insecurity and health outcomes, and will strain county systems unless the state provides more funding and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because city council, I mean, uh, I guess we can frame it under legislators, um, if legislators don't
• Because city council, I mean, uh, I guess we can frame it under legislators, um, if legislators don't
• Because city council, I mean, uh, I guess we can frame it under legislators, um, if legislators don't
• </c> legislators by its terms of the bill. legislators by its terms of the bill.
• </c> request to whoever can provide that. request to whoever can provide that.

Bills: HF4479 , HF4368 , HF4889

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, public university, college campus, postsecondary institution, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, town hall, town hall meeting, elected official, legislator, public forum, constituent meeting, campus access, free meeting space, parking fees, civic engagement, public outreach, chapter 135A, HF4368, Minnesota State

Transcript Highlights:

• They can Request that reconsideration, and after that, the decision's final.
• So I decided to take this forward as I became a legislator. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And how much, and we're appropriating general fund dollars into this compensation fund?
• I appreciate that request. And to the Vice Chair, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Representative, for bringing this piece of legislation.

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand this legislation is one.
• He asked the Senate sergeants to request that all members of the committee show up.
• Is there anybody in the room who is otherwise in support of this legislation?
• Motion is due pass to Senate Appropriations Committee. Wahab... Please call the roll.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Appropriations Committee. Current vote 6 to 0. Which one?

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee met first without quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee before later reconvening and taking formal votes. The consent calendar included SB 1263, SB 1148, SB 1376, and SB 1391. The committee also heard SB 1002, SB 1311, and SB 1416, all of which were ultimately advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with SB 1311 amended. After quorum was reached, the committee later ratified the earlier actions and adjourned. SB 1002 by Senator Niello would expand the David Hall Act to allow certain patients who were originally eligible for out-of-state telehealth care because of an immediately life-threatening diagnosis to continue receiving that care after entering remission. Supporters, including a cancer survivor, said the bill would preserve continuity of care for patients who still need specialist monitoring. The Medical Board of California and the California Medical Association opposed the bill, arguing that licensure is an important consumer protection and that the bill would weaken oversight and standards of care. Senator Caballero supported the measure, emphasizing access to care, especially for rural patients. SB 1311, presented by the chair, updates the Dental Practice Act so unlicensed dental assistants can satisfy infection control training requirements either through the Dental Assisting National Board exam or approved courses. The California Dental Association and California Association of Orthodontists supported the bill, saying it would help strengthen the dental workforce and improve patient access. The California Academy of General Dentistry raised concerns that the exam option lacked hands-on training and should be limited unless amended. The committee approved the bill as amended. SB 1416 by Senator Wahab would shorten from 30 days to 21 days the time a physician or dentist has to refund duplicate payments to consumers. Support was brief and largely focused on the bill’s consumer affordability benefits, and no opposition was voiced. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also we've got a new legislative analyst, Ms. Trinity Johnson.
• So this was at the request of the Division of Administrative Law.
• I'd just like to move favor with the appropriate time. Okay. And Rep. Benberg. Yeah, Rep.
• So I would request that we adopt the substitute bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I had legislation last year that worked on fraudulent license plates and tags.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to share in the cost of Appropriations to share in the cost of this<00:18:21.520><c> program</c><00:
• Do you have a budget or a proposed budget appropriation for you folks to be able to do this, not for
• She said she was just tossing that out as a potential alternative to the request for additional appropriations
• </c> alternative to our comments requesting alternative to our comments requesting additional<00:35:26.440
• additional Appropriations this would be additional Appropriations this would be ay<00:35:27.839><c> lift

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives legislators and to administer.
• So I think that the legislative process.
• </c> will come through the legislative will come through the legislative process.<01:15:40.719><c> Um
• </c><01:17:16.239><c> If</c> through the legislative process. If through the legislative process.
• . appropriate. appropriate.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house