Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Vice President of Policy and Programs at Casita Coalition.
• It's an important loophole to catch early, and the bill is critical to continue the success and efficacy
• I'm here to present SB 262, which expands the pro-housing program to include policies and programs that
• This body, this legislature, all of you get to come back and start contemplating the cap-and-invest program
• physical recovery and workforce development programs.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• health programs, and much more.
• </c> ability to prevent and respond to myriad ability to prevent and respond to myriad public<00:35:24.640
• </c> and learn and apprenticeship programs. and learn and apprenticeship programs. building<01:02:36.000
• </c><01:43:47.600><c> and</c> existing directed payment program and existing directed payment program
• So thank you, Madam and state programs.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MC Santana and Dr. Preston-Sindler of the UCF Women and Gender Studies Program.
• And so those programs that you mentioned in your community... ...and that Rep.
• And so I would be very concerned if a local government wanted to invest in suicide prevention programs
• “Suicide prevention programs that focused on, for example, LGBTQ+ children and young people, just a promo
• Through a variety of innovative programs aimed at prevention and support, they have forged meaningful

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. Members approved the journal and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber also recognized Sheriff Mike Chitwood as law enforcement officer of the day and later held several introductions and farewell remarks, including lengthy closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service and legislative priorities. The House then took up and passed a series of Senate bills, often after adopting House strike-all or conforming amendments. CS/SB 590 on mandatory child abuse reporting was clarified to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism was amended to incorporate House language, including blue-envelope provisions, and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) was amended to preserve House provisions and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund was amended to expand eligible health science programs and allow certain non-health-care contributions, then passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care passed 111-0. Later bills also advanced with broad support: CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences passed 168-0 after debate over medication-assisted treatment; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed 112-0 after amendments allowing limited coach support for student-athletes with parental consent; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts passed 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services passed 111-0 after an amendment on exclusive arrangements. The chamber then began debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, which would restrict counties and municipalities from official DEI-related actions and contracting practices. Members questioned its scope and exceptions, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the programs that we passed in 2023 and earlier, are they all up and running?
• The Senate's internship program runs throughout the session, and applications for the new session are
• This is Partha Pra's third year in the program and her first serving in an elected position.
• </c><00:26:28.320><c> and</c><00:26:28.440><c> her</c><00:26:28.640><c> first</c> year in the program
• and her first year in the program and her first serving<00:26:29.679><c> in</c><00:26:29.840><c> an<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• labor and industries inspection programs.
• safety and security, staffing, and the programs offered to young people.
• And we also looked at access to rehabilitative programs and found that the specific programs available
• And we also looked at access to rehabilitative programs and found that the specific programs available
• And now we'll turn to programming.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those latter two were included...” “...and the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program account.
• as the agency approaches a pinch-point period in the capital program in the early 2030s, when we are
• Education Council to recommend programs and projects that improve the safety of the commercial truck
• They must be zero-emissions vessels, and they must operate in compliance with the Quiet Sound program
• killer whales, to prevent ship strikes and minimize disturbances to southern resident killer whales

Bills: HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• marshal, to provide for fire prevention and safety inspections of early learning centers and child daycare
• And what I'm asking is that we don't go to our early childhood centers and the ones that are heating
• He's been doing this for 20-plus years, and he's our guy, and he's going to manage this program.
• We've been doing this for 20-plus years, and he's our guy, and he's going to manage this program, much
• And I can tell you, Alabama is the one who started the program, and talking to those folks in great detail

Bills: HB461 , HB467 , HB522 , HB565 , HB673 , HB799 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB977

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: building codes, construction standards, state uniform construction code, local option, municipal ordinance, parish ordinance, resilient construction, FORTIFIED Home, IBHS, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, hurricane resistance, storm resilience, roof replacement, residential construction, certificate of occupancy, code enforcement, building resilience, home hardening, wind mitigation, residential roof

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is what they're doing left and right.
• Chairman and members.
• And so almost said...
• I yield for questions and move for adoption. Do pass and second.
• And I have two now. Close the vote, declare the vote. And I have two now.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2937 , HB2951 , HB2960 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3062 , HB3082 , HB3087 , HB3148 , HB3152 , HB3262 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3268 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3299 , HB3544 , HB3606 , HB3678 , HB3790 , HB3903 , HB3996 , HB4139 , HB4140 , HB4142 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB4260 , HB4272 , HB4296 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4341 , HB4342

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is what they're doing left and right.
• I stand for questions and move for adoption. We have a do pass and a second.
• Chairman and members.
• And then they just got to sit there and wait. So it ties everybody up.
• I yield for questions and move for adoption. Do pass and second.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2937 , HB2951 , HB2960 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3062 , HB3082 , HB3087 , HB3148 , HB3152 , HB3262 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3268 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3299 , HB3544 , HB3606 , HB3678 , HB3790 , HB3903 , HB3996 , HB4139 , HB4140 , HB4142 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB4260 , HB4272 , HB4296 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4341 , HB4342

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, mostly on criminal justice, public safety, transportation, and administrative procedures. Measures included lowering school-zone speed issues on certain highways (HB 2979), allowing DMV staff to accept physical proof of insurance (HB 2980), barring people convicted of pedophilia from adopting children (HB 2936), allowing lawful weapon carry on boats (HB 2937), and restricting fire departments from hiring people required to register as sex offenders (HB 382). Other bills addressed warrant fee increases for counties (HB 3262), making strangulation in domestic violence cases an 85% crime (HB 3264), creating offenses for reckless driving tied to racing and collisions (HB 3266), criminalizing knowingly making or displaying fictitious license plates (HB 3268), and allowing electronic arrest warrants (HB 3269). The committee also advanced bills on Open Meetings Act enforcement, OCC port-of-entry arrest authority, expanding protections for municipal officials and notaries, creating vessel titling, and modernizing vehicle inspection/title procedures. Several members raised questions about costs, enforcement authority, and whether new penalties would shift burdens to consumers or local governments. For example, HB 3262 drew concern about passing warrant-fee costs to the public, and HB 3268 prompted questions about existing law and the need for a new felony for fake tags. The OCC port-of-entry bill generated extended discussion about whether a regulatory agency should have arrest authority, with supporters arguing it would free up Highway Patrol and sheriff resources and opponents questioning the expansion of quasi-law-enforcement powers. Other bills were presented as request bills from agencies or constituents, including the Attorney General, Oklahoma City police, the Bomb Squad, the Corporation Commission, and local residents. The committee also approved a number of bills with little or no opposition, including a domestic violence strangulation measure, a bill on Open Meetings Act remedies, a bill allowing sentence modification requests by district attorneys, and a bill requiring domestic violence incident reports and judicial training. Later, the committee considered additional public safety and criminal procedure bills such as making firearm theft a felony, increasing the damage threshold for police response in property-damage crashes, and requiring the state to pay expert witness costs in capital appeals. Most measures were reported out do pass, with several unanimous votes and a few split votes, including HB 3262 and the OCC port-of-entry bill. The meeting ended after laying over a few bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• After-school and youth empowerment programs, money in this bill that all can be used for that.
• </c><01:12:50.240><c> anti-bullying</c><01:12:50.960><c> programs,</c> life skill and anti-bullying programs
• and youth empowerment After-school and youth empowerment programs,<01:12:59.800><c> money</c><01:13:
• mass tragedies and parade a to prevent mass tragedies and parade a place<01:27:59.600><c> for</c><01
• We're asking you to prevent the next tragedy. And then we'll have another debate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> centers prevents the public and the centers prevents the public and the legislator's<00:32:51.080
• program and inhibits the the size of the program and inhibits the state's<00:32:55.000><c> ability</c
• </c> program beyond the loss of revenues and program beyond the loss of revenues and ability<00:33:08.320
• ><c> to</c> Early Childhood programs struggle to Early Childhood programs struggle to keep<00:56:12.520
• </c> families and the child care programs families and the child care programs have<00:58:04.440><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Program and that money would have to be returned to the state.
• </c> kind of program to a more open and kind of program to a more open and broad.<00:20:53.160><c> So
• </c> year of the program and it was 350%. year of the program and it was 350%.
• expenditures and families are participating in this program.
• </c><00:43:57.080><c> 25-26</c> EFA programs during the 24-25 and 25-26 EFA programs during the 24-25

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we work in partnership to fund that program where they deploy that program and the educators for
• We are looking at more programs and more education programs that are looking at soft skills and critical
• Prevention Program.
• and help people in that program Dr.
• and provides an array of STEM degrees and workforce Development and vocational programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the program, the Department of Transportation identifies and determines which locations have the
• The I-2 safety program provides regional roadway analyses and public outreach, consistent with current
• And now the bill provides an excellent framework for our member counties to identify, take early action
• And now the bill provides an excellent framework for our member counties to identify, take early action
• Therefore, the proposed bill is a more equitable way for cities to preventively preserve and maintain

Bills: SB6253 , SB6311 , SB6262 , SB6335

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: public transportation, governing bodies, transit authorities, local government, community planning, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, vehicle weight, transportation, fees, public infrastructure, funding, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• And I am familiar with this particular program and the folks that run it and the beneficiaries as well
• a family, and doing well in their early 20s.
• And TTK has been an excellent program to try and fill in for those kids of that age.
• And it funds the First Robotics program.
• policy staff, and the Office of Program Research.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity commercial. and housing programs and then you know discuss some legislation at the end.
• we can always monitor and adjust how these programs are going and make the client experience much better
• And thank you all very much. And thanks to members for digging in early on this.
• student can register and participate in that program.
• And again, these out-of-school time programs fund programs at schools, so before and after school programming

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment creates two new tax credit programs and amends an existing program.
• done by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and
• Fifth, the expansion of delinquency prevention and diversionary services for youth. And sixth...
• , otherwise known as FX, and the Florida PALM Program.
• , and $12 million to the state and local government cybersecurity grant program.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• involved with efforts to prevent bicycle and e-bike injuries and fatalities.
• President and senators, 428 brings This voucher program in line by study recommends adjusting the ages
• This amendment adds drowning prevention safety Measures and safe bathing practices to postpartum education
• toddlers in bathtubs, Pools and other water sources, water safety measures parents can employ to prevent
• business to maintain a cybersecurity program commensurate with that size and complexity.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pedestrian injuries, and a member of an organization involved with efforts to prevent bicycle and e-bike
• President and Senators, 428 brings this voucher program in line with study recommendations by adjusting
• This amendment adds drowning prevention safety measures and safe bathing practices to postpartum education
• toddlers in bathtubs, pools and other water sources, water safety measures parents can employ to prevent
• I will note all the requirements on drowning prevention and safe bathing in the amendment are new.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . programs. programs.
• Supports program, and the Elderly Waiver and Alternative Care programs.
• Supports program, and the Elderly Waiver and Alternative Care programs.
• </c> able to go to finance and and and fix. able to go to finance and and and fix.
• And could the staff make sure Bryce and Emily and folks are making sure that's going back and forth and

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all