Transcript Highlights:

• how many days folks have spent outside.
• care about the<00:23:58.799><c> numbers.
• </c> responsibility for things like tree care responsibility for things like tree care and<00:48:04.960
• At the end of the day, it's about fairness.
• Uh 3% of the day, it's about fairness.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• , fully restored in four days.
• were fully restored in six days.
• Almost 98% of our customers were restored after the second day, and as I mentioned before, four days
• full day of restoration.
• So we'll have our logistics team one day, we'll have our base camp team one day, operations one day,

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection. The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County. Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:32.800><c> across</c><00:47:33.319><c> the</c> day across the day across the state<00:47:35.319
• </c> applying a mandatory minimum 30-day applying a mandatory minimum 30-day imprisonment<00:49:47.160
• </c><01:12:52.719><c> of</c> predatory offender within 30 days of predatory offender within 30 days of
• </c> is just um we want to be really careful is just um we want to be really careful about<01:23:26.320
• </c> this we have to be extremely careful this we have to be extremely careful that<01:45:27.920><c>

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But the timing will be really key on this, and it's really day-to-day as we look at this.
• And so, uh, this is kind of a day-to-day piece. This is kind of a day-to-day, you know, piece.
• </c> and so uh this is kind of a day-to-day and so uh this is kind of a day-to-day you<00:35:06.160><
• Um, I really feel for you to have one day this and one day that.
• Growers Day on the Hill.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• , but rather they would be held in local facilities at $2,939 per day.
• We've heard this argument year after year, and we're paying them $29.39 a day to hold an inmate.
• As we discussed a couple of days ago, Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• As we discussed a couple of days ago, I'm not sure why we're here.
• As we discussed a couple of days ago, I'm not sure while we're here.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation. The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits. Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, I ask You a blessing upon this day, Father, the decisions we're about to make.
• , cancer care in rural Arizona.
• We had it a couple days ago in COW.
• We voted this same bill down two days ago. It's back.
• I was in his office the other day and I noticed this.

Transcript Highlights:

• and what's driving health care costs.
• Good health care policy and smart fiscal policy. Let's move on to our next committee member.
• And when you are someone that. that you care about has cancer.
• We are all exposed to these chemicals because they're in plastics we encounter every day.
• What a day. Very efficient. Mm-hmm. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, are the elderly folks and those with disabilities who are in long-term care receiving
• And so in Washington, we provide... care and the fee-for-service delivery models.
• And so in Washington, we provide many of our services through the managed care model, as do many other
• of care.
• of care, that are factors that are relevant to that discussion.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the State Auditor’s Office on its current performance audit work plan. The auditor described how topics are selected from a large pool of ideas and coordinated with JLARC to avoid duplication. Four ongoing audits were highlighted: Liquor and Cannabis Board operations, oversight of authorized entities serving students with disabilities, the long-term care provisions of Initiative 1163, and Medicaid managed care versus fee-for-service costs. Other planned topics included housing commission tenant ownership follow-up, DSHS vendor payment growth, implementation of the Since Time Memorial curriculum, and Washington State Ferries operations. Members asked about coordination with JLARC, and the auditor said the office regularly exchanges work plans and monthly updates with JLARC staff. The committee then received the State Auditor’s report on how charter schools identify and support at-risk students. Auditors reviewed four schools—Catalyst Public Schools, Innovation High School, Pinnacles Prep, and Rainier Prep—and focused on English language learners, homeless students, and special education students. The audit found that the schools met nearly all legal requirements reviewed and used many leading practices, including small-group instruction, culturally responsive environments, family engagement, and multi-tiered systems of support. The main recommendations were to improve documentation and written procedures so staff can apply practices more consistently. One area of partial compliance involved language access planning, and MTSS implementation varied across schools. Committee members asked why those four schools were selected, how the sample compared with district and statewide student populations, and whether the audit examined K-2 MTSS requirements. The auditor explained the schools were chosen for student need, geographic diversity, and authorizer representation, and that K-2 MTSS was not evaluated because only one school served those grades. Representatives from the Charter School Commission and charter school advocates responded positively, saying the report reflected strong practices and could help spread effective approaches. Public testimony from the Washington State Charter Schools Association and Excellent Schools Washington also supported the report and urged continued sharing of best practices across schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• No matter what come our way, what happened through the day, he's blessed you to make it till this day
• Not saying you to make it till this day.
• We with you in that last and evil day.
• ,</c><00:15:14.880><c> uh,</c> distinct, as I said the other day, uh, distinct, as I said the other day
• day of the until 7 p.m. on election day.<00:19:42.799><c> And</c><00:19:43.120><c> what</c><00:19:43.360

Transcript Highlights:

• to make permanent a 4% salary increase for correctional officers, and $55,800,000 to address health care
• on Thursday, so hopefully we have a shorter day on Friday.
• At the end of the day, my schools are getting hosed.
• Maybe they don't like the federal law, but it's federal law, and we don't care—you have to follow it.
• and dependent care credit.

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:38.920><c> youth</c> services such as child care youth services such as child care youth programs
• day.
• day.
• </c> organize the first medical cannabis day organize the first medical cannabis day at<01:16:17.480>
• </c><01:26:18.600><c> that</c> uh get in can get the extra care that uh get in can get the extra care

Transcript Highlights:

• This was on an orange day, and this is how it looks now.
• For example, the half-life of diphacinone in soil is 439 days, more than a year.
• They take up to 10 days to kill the rodents. Poison on four legs now.
• When a rodent eats the bait, it lives for up to 10 days, getting weaker.
• Up to 10 days, getting weaker. A weakened rodent is easy prey.

Bills: H5113 , H5076 , H4972 , H4917 , H4700 , S2896 , S2961 , S2933 , H5141 , H5140 , H5139 , S2877 , H3920

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Marion Stoddart, riverwalk, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Nashua River, Nashua River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR, trail designation, state forest, conservation, environmental recognition, commemorative naming, signage, public lands, toxic pesticides, Eastham, environmental regulation, local control

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are other steps in this interconnection review process that can take 100 days, 200 days, even
• You go to the agency that manages the program day to day and say, here are your performance metrics.
• Any other comments or questions from the dais?
• We can deny that all day, but that is exactly what is happening here.
• We can deny that all day, but that is exactly what is happening here.

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:

• Um this takes care of the if we this.
• </c> booming during the the Jonah field days booming during the the Jonah field days and<00:30:51.440
• President, they said rainy day fund. Mr. President, they said rainy day fund.
• </c> light of day. Thank you. light of day. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Anybody<01:52:59.920><c> else?
• These are uh extend day markets.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I know before I said I had hoped we'd do a one day before Memorial Day weekend.
• So I know before I said I had hoped we'd do a one day before Memorial Day weekend.
• Day weekend. I still hope that we will do that.
• special session into a one-day special session, it could have to be three days.
• Minnesota Care for Undocumented Adults? Minnesota Care for Undocumented Adults?

Transcript Highlights:

• still some pieces that are undefined or a little unclear as I read through it, such as out-of-school care
• intent, because that just, on first blush, if you will, you know, I read that as any sort of child care
• So if anybody could explain what out-of-school care means in this context, I'd like to know. Mr.
• We've got a few more days. We can turn these things around really, really quick.
• We thank the governor's office for being here with us each day.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered several Department of Health and Welfare budgets and related language items. For the Commission on Aging, the committee first rejected an ongoing $129,900 general fund restoration for senior nutrition, then approved the same amount as a one-time restoration for Meals on Wheels. The Division of Welfare budget was then approved with adjustments for the SNAP federal-state cost split, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; members discussed the growing state share of federal program costs and the need to implement legislative eligibility requirements. The committee also approved the Indirect Support Services budget, including a budget-neutral fund source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation funding, and a reduction tied to Senate Bill 1314. It then approved a one-time $77,100 restoration for Mental Health Services, with supporters citing staffing needs for designated examiners and children’s mental health services. In addition, the committee adopted transfer-limitation exemption language for selected Health and Welfare divisions, after a substitute motion narrowed the exemption to Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification. For Independent Councils, the committee approved a $60,000 ongoing general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council. It also adopted revised Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant language for Early Learning and Development after discussion about clarifying terms such as “under investigation,” “out-of-school care,” and “qualifying providers,” and then withdrew the earlier version of that language. Finally, the committee approved the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination budget to consolidate the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices, including funding for nuclear coordination, fisheries projects, and energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and one House Appropriations item was announced for the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• some of these smaller entities that feel like they don't even necessarily get around to some of the day-to-day
• some of these smaller entities that feel like they don't even necessarily get around to some of the day-to-day
• At the end of the day, they do have to patch their systems themselves.
• You know, a lot of these things are sort of known: the SIEC takes care of radio, the ESC3 takes care
• Of all of those days. I just don't have it memorized. I apologize.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And frankly, there's 26,000 people in our agency that get up every day and do this work.
• I'm 13 days in, so lucky number.
• Issue 7, Wildfire Readiness, Seven-Day-Per-Week Schedule, CCC Hand Crews. Okay, afternoon.
• They're already strained during the peak season to meet the seven-day-a-week schedule.
• base or peak, and they also don't care if it's a weekend or not.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we talk a lot in this building about things that happened during the day.
• But Lyft is not only built for the day-to-day nightlife economy.
• All of us here are working during the day.
• And also, like, the increase of non-alcoholic space is open 24 hours a day.
• You should care about the nighttime economy and the nighttime sector.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• For children in DCS care, it's not uncommon for teens to run away."
• I know how they feel every day, and I know what they go through.
• Oh, they will just show up in a couple days.
• And every day... ...colleague Senator Hunt Tothley who's kept us at the forefront, and every day when
• I'm Gibson the care. I'm here representing Forever 46 in Tucson, Arizona.

Bills: SB1071 , SB1315 , SB1317 , SB1416 , SB1493 , SB1537 , SB1542 , SB1584 , SB1626 , SB1740 , SB1751 , SB1804 , SCR1047 , SCR1049

Committees: Senate Public Safety , Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Keywords: Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training