Transcript Highlights:

• the lives we live here in Maryland without Calvert Cliffs.
• </c> succeed and and feed our grid and live succeed and and feed our grid and live the<01:17:45.160><
• c> lives</c><01:17:45.560><c> we</c><01:17:45.720><c> live</c><01:17:46.160><c> here</c><01:17:46.520
• ><c> in</c><01:17:46.680><c> Maryland</c> the lives we live here in Maryland the lives we live here in
• </c> "I'm going to live here. I like it here. "I'm going to live here. I like it here.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sometimes others will reach out to the water district and say, hey, can you help us make sure that this transition
• I would imagine are supportive because we're trying to protect the resource that they make their living
• map makes a distinction between the municipalities in the pink and the green, which is the Forest Service

Summary: The committee first confirmed Michael Lyndon of Post Falls to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and then heard several water-related bills. Senate Bill 1304 would clarify ditch easement rights by allowing ditch owners to inspect, maintain, and relocate diversion structures within an existing easement without written landowner permission, while still requiring permission to move anything outside the easement. Senate Bill 1306 would fix a timing issue in irrigation district exclusion petitions by replacing an automatic approval trigger after 150 days with a more structured hearing and appeal timeline. Senate Bill 1305 would let water districts, if authorized by a patron resolution, charge specific property owners for costs tied to updating water-right ownership records instead of spreading those costs across all users. Senate Bill 1307 would repeal and consolidate overlapping code chapters on lateral ditch management into one chapter, adding definitions and clarifying election, appointment, and maintenance rules for lateral users associations and water delivery entities. All four bills received do-pass recommendations, though one senator reserved judgment on SB 1304 to consult local property-rights concerns. The committee also considered House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the Idaho Department of Lands’ improved-parcel wildfire preparedness surcharge from $40 to $100 per year. The sponsor and department said the fee supports wildfire readiness, equipment, training, and rapid initial attack in growing wildland-urban interface areas, and industry witnesses supported the increase as modest and necessary. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass motion, with Senators Cole and Hart voting no. Finally, Senate Bill 1269 would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute by adding definitions, formal reporting and public meeting requirements, accountability provisions, and clarification that state standards govern the program. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and preserve the existing program without expanding it, while one virtual witness testified against it. Several members said they wanted more transparency and further discussion, but the committee still sent the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That ranking reflects where we live every day at school.
• Thank you again for your service to New Mexico.
• So it is a lot, and I think it's going to be a lot for staff, especially in the transition to a new director

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Let’s do some mass transit before we just have more cars on the road through our gorgeous mountains.
• members, HB 4049 allows the Department of Child Safety to employ outside legal counsel for legal services
• Madam Chair, members, HB 2692, Procurement Professionals Construction Services.
• a religious service.
• a religious service.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• A great example of the way� TDLR impacts state-to-state licensees is our work with transitioning service
• � service members, either who move to Texas or return home after their military service. three primary
• There's many positive opportunities for service members who either return home or want to transition
• here. upon completion of their military service.
• Well, as the Deputy Director of Licensing Services, my Directors of Licensing and Customer Service And

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn’t provide for some of our services.
• Motion is do pass as amended to the Senate Human Services Committee.
• Motion is do pass as amended to the Senate Human Services Committee.
• AB 1734 ...of living pressures that are impacting Californians.
• To the Senate Human Services Committee.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are 200 lives. That's the output of CDCR right now.
• Duane Reeder, California Correctional Health Care Services.
• Denisha Colbert with Correctional Health Care Services.
• But we live in a world of cost constraints.
• , social safety net services, medical and mental health care, prevention, social safety net services,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “CDCR Deputy Director, Office of Fiscal Services.
• Those are 200 lives. That's the output of CDCR right now.
• Duane Reeder, California Correctional Health Care Services.
• Denisha Colbert with Correctional Health Care Services.
• But we live in a world of cost constraints.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) budget, with a focus on prison population trends, spending, facility closures, and efforts to find savings. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) presented data showing the prison and parole populations have fallen sharply over the past 20 years while CDCR spending has remained high, driven largely by security, health care, litigation-related requirements, and aging infrastructure. The LAO also said the state is likely to have several thousand empty beds by 2030 and recommended closing another prison, identifying the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad as the strongest candidate, while also urging more transparency around facility deactivations and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) efficiency contract. CDCR Secretary Jeff McCumber said the department faces structural budget pressures from retirement payouts, workers’ compensation, overtime, medical transport, aging facilities, and violence in prisons, but emphasized declining recidivism, expanding reentry beds, and the need for more single-celling and rehabilitation. Department of Finance representative Anthony Franzoa said the administration is not proposing another prison closure at this time, opposed new reporting requirements on deactivations, and said the BCG contract is intended to produce long-term savings even if near-term estimates are being revised downward. Amber Rose Howard of California United for Responsible Budget argued the state should close more prisons, redirect funds to community services, and stop spending on excess prison capacity. Members questioned why CDCR still relies on vacancy savings, why rehabilitation is only a small share of the budget, and whether the department should be more transparent about capacity reductions and legal liabilities. Several members criticized the $20 million BCG contract and the lack of competitive bidding, while others pressed CDCR on staffing levels, single-celling, suicide prevention, and health care costs for older incarcerated people. The hearing did not take a formal vote, but it ended with clear committee concern about CDCR’s budget transparency, the pace of prison closures, and the need to align spending more closely with the declining prison population and the department’s stated rehabilitation mission.

Transcript Highlights:

• there have been many times when we've balanced the budget and people have lost access to certain services
• and people have lost access<00:03:07.040><c> to</c><00:03:07.280><c> certain</c><00:03:07.680><c> services
• </c><00:03:08.319><c> And</c><00:03:08.560><c> there</c> access to certain services.
• And there access to certain services.
• I don't live far.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Calloway County. I'm testifying in favor of the bill. I live in Calloway County.
• We’re just people that live here. We’re just people that live there every day.
• We’re just people that live here. We’re just people that live there every day.
• And where do you live, ma'am? I live in Jeff City at the moment. Thank you for coming.
• living with it.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dedicated rural water leader, agriculture producer, and community advocate with a strong record of service
• Before transitioning to a full-time farm manager, Megan spent seven years working in banking, gaining
• valuable experience in finance, customer service, and organizational operations.

Bills: HB2992 , HB3183 , HB3464 , HB4170 , HB4338

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates, utility tariffs, cost causation, rate design, public power utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative, investor-owned utility, load growth, interconnection

Summary: The committee first handled several executive nominations. It unanimously advanced Richard Allier to the Environmental Quality Board, Kevin Foreman to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, Gary Keel to the Air Quality Advisory Board, Megan Langley to the Oklahoma-Arkansas River Compact Commission, Jacob Bull to the Air Quality Advisory Council, and Tommy Colwell to the Oklahoma Mining Commission. In each case, the nominating senator described the appointee’s background and qualifications, and the committee voted to send the nomination to the full Senate without opposition. The committee then considered House Bill 2992, with Senator Green offering a technical amendment to correct drafting errors. The amendment passed 8-0, and the bill itself passed 9-0. Green said the measure would require large-load data centers and crypto mining facilities to pay their share of electric infrastructure costs so those costs would not be shifted to other ratepayers. Senator Boren asked whether municipal utilities and co-ops would be affected, and Green responded that the bill was aimed at the corporate shareholder utility model. House Bill 4338 was also heard and passed, though the roll call showed one no vote. Green explained that the bill concerns produced water and would create a framework for extracting elements from it, with House changes clarifying that it is not retroactive, adjusting flexibility for the produced water unit size, and allowing processing of brine before corporation approval. The committee also advanced House Bill 417, which addresses theft of copper fittings on oil rigs and related cleanup damage by making certain conduct a misdemeanor; it passed 10-0. The meeting ended after the committee approved the remaining nominations and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> cutting vital services. cutting vital services.
• . services. services.
• Charles School, excuse me, two transitional living programs, multiple senior support programs throughout
• Uh two transitional<03:12:48.399><c> living</c><03:12:48.720><c> programs,</c><03:12:49.439><c> multiple
• </c> transitional living programs, multiple transitional living programs, multiple senior<03:12:50.479

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems like Republicans have transitioned a lot better than Democrats.
• It increases the vehicle dealer documentary service fee by $50 for a 10-year period, with the first $25
• This amendment would reduce the increase to the documentary service fee to $25 such that the total fee
• want to thank any members that will not be making the journey to Olympia next year for their fine service
• want to thank any members that will not be making the journey to Olympia next year for their fine service

Bills: HB2347

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems like Republicans have transitioned a lot better than Democrats.
• It increases the vehicle dealer documentary service fee by $50 for a 10-year period, with the first $25
• This amendment would reduce the increase to the documentary service fee to $25 such that the total fee
• want to thank any members that will not be making the journey to Olympia next year for their fine service
• want to thank any members that will not be making the journey to Olympia next year for their fine service

Summary: The committee briefly reviewed four transportation-related bills before taking executive action. House Bill 2347 would repeal the 10% sales and use tax on luxury aircraft; members discussed the bill’s economic importance and its role in supporting business, wildfire suppression, agriculture, and health care, and it passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise monetary limits for state highway repair, emergency work, and WSDOT contracting, including higher thresholds for self-performance and small-business participation; it also passed unanimously. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, which authorizes transportation bonds, drew the most discussion. As amended by striking amendment H-3808.1, the bill reduced general highway bond authorization from $1.1 billion to $800 million while retaining $500 million for SR 520 corridor projects and other transportation funding changes. Members described the amendment as a compromise to constrain future spending, and the bill passed 16-10 with several members voting no or no recommendation. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would advance transportation electrification by allowing certain new manufacturers to sell directly under dealer licensing rules and by increasing the dealer documentary service fee, with part of the revenue supporting EV rebates for vulnerable populations. An amendment reduced the fee increase from $50 to $25, lowering the total fee to $225 through 2036 before reverting to $200. After debate about dealer impacts and direct sales policy, the amended bill passed 21-4. The chair then thanked staff and members and adjourned, noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• respect to eligibility determinations under Medi-Cal, focusing on the Department of Health Care Services
• The Department of Social Services and its SNAP CalFresh program may also be reviewed, taking a look at
• And I think that we... ...their lives and their time into trying to take care of these homes.
• Not to be deterred by any of that, despite the fact that Senator Umberg lives down in the district.
• Senator Umberg lives down in the district. He's never been to a single board meeting.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• respect to eligibility determinations under Medi-Cal, focusing on the Department of Health Care Services
• given what we listed in our most recent state high risk report and also the Department of Social Services
• Their lives and their times into trying to take care of these homes.
• Not to be deterred by any of that, despite the fact that Senator Umberg lives down in the district.
• Senator Umberg lives down in the district. He's never been to a single board meeting.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, and the state auditor gave an update on his office’s workload, including several JALAC audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth, and capacity to begin additional audits. Members also announced that one audit request on Prop. 28 was being held and that the PUC request would be moved off consent for presentation. After quorum was later established, the committee took up and approved several audit requests, including the DMV license revocation audit on consent, the CPUC utility interconnection timeliness audit, and the Caltrans SR 710 extension project audit. The fusion centers audit was approved on call, while the Orange County Board of Education audit was still being discussed when the transcript ended. Senator Cervantes presented the fusion centers audit request, arguing that California’s fusion centers operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and retain sensitive information without adequate legal authority, privacy protections, or accountability. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and an ACLU representative, said the centers function as opaque intelligence-sharing hubs and have a history of inaccurate or biased reporting. The state auditor said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while noting possible access and public disclosure limits because of intelligence-related information. The request drew sharp criticism from one member, who called it politicized and unnecessary, but it ultimately advanced on call. Senator Allen’s CPUC audit request focused on the commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. Supporters said utilities routinely miss deadlines, causing delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, businesses, and homeowners, while CPUC staff said the commission has public reporting, workshops, and an active proceeding to address the issue. The auditor said the review would examine CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and data on why utilities struggle to comply, estimating about 3,500 hours of work. The committee approved the request after discussion about whether an audit or legislative oversight would be the best tool. Senator Perez and Assembly Member Fong presented the Caltrans 710 corridor audit request, describing tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing, unclear communications, and delays in the affordable sales program created under the Roberti Act. Caltrans said it had completed many sales, was moving additional properties, and remained committed to transparency and compliance. The auditor said the review would examine whether Caltrans is complying with the Roberti Act, how it sets affordable prices, appraisal and appeal practices, communications with buyers, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior audit recommendations. The committee also heard Senator Umberg’s request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues; supporters argued the board’s actions warranted scrutiny, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that complaints, enforcement actions, and legal challenges were minimal or absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Hillsboro, New Hampshire.
• I live in Hillsboro, is Marjorie Porter. I live in Hillsboro, New<00:08:20.080><c> Hampshire.
• education services.
• </c> allow us to live free or die every day. allow us to live free or die every day.
• We live and breathe our faith.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife Service. As you know, we do the livestock indemnity for wolf payments currently.
• Fish and Wildlife Service. As you know, we do the livestock indemnity for wolf payments currently.
• Fish and Wildlife Service. As you know, we do the livestock indemnity for wolf payments currently.
• </c><01:24:48.239><c> um</c> resource conservation service um resource conservation service um conservation
• They don’t live in one jurisdiction, and they don’t live in one person’s house.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the prohibition on permits for Title V sources, and by striking that provision and expediting the transition
• providing any future support for implementation in a county where approximately one in five residents live
• were granted, because we want to help real people rebuild their homes and be able to stay where they lived
• know, granted, because we want to help real people rebuild their homes and be able to stay where they lived
• , we've Because we want to help real people rebuild their homes and be able to stay where they lived,

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So uh with that represent the service.
• Thank you to the folks testifying and sharing your lived experience.
• </c> testifying and sharing your lived testifying and sharing your lived experience.<00:43:04.480><c>
• , Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.
• Services, um, obviously our people don't get the services that they deserve.

Bills: HF238 , HF3381 , HF3754 , HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food