Transcript Highlights:

• the last two biennia for a pretrial services pilot program to help courts expand the use of these services
• take to increase the use of pretrial services.
• We also wanted to provide a status... Take to increase the use of pretrial services.
• Services in this category focus more on providing referrals to community services that can help address
• defendants are more or less likely to receive pretrial services.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on expanding the use of pretrial services in Washington. Auditors said most of the 14 local courts they reviewed wanted to expand or implement pretrial services but faced barriers such as funding, limited community resources, and public safety concerns. The audit found variation in how courts use pretrial services, potential disparities in who receives them, and major data limitations because most courts do not track pretrial outcomes in an accessible, standardized way. Auditors recommended that local courts engage stakeholders early, improve data collection and evaluation, and that the Administrative Office of the Courts provide more standardized guidance and support. They also noted the legislature had funded an AOC pilot program to help courts expand pretrial services. Court representatives from Spokane Municipal Court, Grays Harbor County District Court, and Yakima County described their own programs and supported the audit’s general conclusions. Spokane officials said their pretrial unit, funded locally and built around risk and needs assessments, had reduced bail use, detention time, failures to appear, and recidivism, but emphasized the need for stable funding and better public understanding of pretrial alternatives. Grays Harbor staff similarly said pretrial supervision and least-restrictive alternatives save jail costs and reduce reoffending, but that collecting data across all cases is labor-intensive and difficult without dedicated staff. Yakima and Spokane also highlighted the value of integrated case-management systems and centralized data tracking. Committee members asked about how reduced detention time occurs, how courts can communicate cost savings and public safety outcomes, and why many courts struggle to track pretrial data. Auditors explained that early risk and financial screening helps judges make quicker release decisions and that better data and stakeholder communication are key to building support. No formal action or vote was taken; the committee held the required hearing and then adjourned after public testimony was invited and written testimony information was provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> generation to access affordable college. generation to access affordable college.
• </c> public service to the people of public service to the people of Minnesota's<00:10:10.240><c> sixth
• have access to critical minerals, so that we can have access to intelligence, so that we can beat back
• ,</c> that we can have access to intelligence, that we can have access to intelligence, so<01:08:18.080
• </c><02:19:38.639><c> this</c> service to his community and this service to his community and this country

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:00.160><c> to</c><00:37:00.319><c> potentially</c> for even easier access to potentially for
• The delay slows business access to capital and consumes substantial resources to comply with and defend
• </c> business's access to Capital and consume business's access to Capital and consume substantial<00
• ongoing access to significant amounts of land, electricity, and water. provide ongoing access to significant
• </c><01:23:07.400><c> access</c><01:23:07.800><c> this</c> of them will uh be able to access this of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I want to thank you for your service. As law enforcement, we appreciate that greatly.
• But thank you for your willingness to continue your service, no longer in law enforcement, but now in
• College is the gateway to the American dream, and it is exciting to be considered for service at a university
• And I'm looking forward to continuing my service to the university. Well, I've been there.
• I graduated in 2018, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue the service.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, so many in this body have worked to expand access to community college, both financially
• In rural communities like Humboldt County, access to services can be harder to reach, especially for
• We must continue to protect these vital services, especially in rural communities, and these two amazing
• The institute, under Rod's leadership, worked to increase the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of
• I'd love to introduce you to somebody, to to come to this Rotary meeting.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several floor recognitions. Members honored the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team for their championship season, and the chamber also recognized the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees for work on homelessness, education, youth civic engagement, community college success, and mental health. Individual awardees highlighted included Chris Chapman, Leanne Chun, Darla Cooper, Virgil Moorhead Jr. and Amy Matheson, Adrian Hillman and Aaron Garner Ford, and Selina Alvarez. The Senate also welcomed former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios Perez and later heard committee and budget subcommittee announcements. On legislation, the body considered and passed Senate Resolution 88 by Senator Blakespear, commemorating the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation. The resolution emphasized California’s role in biotech innovation and the industry’s economic and public health impact. The Senate also passed Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez, recognizing April 14–16 as Khmer New Year and celebrating Cambodian American culture, especially in Long Beach. The chamber confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, and Steven Pennelli to the Contractors State License Board; Jacob Arkavakotov to the Medical Board of California; and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai to the Medical Board of California. All confirmations were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also suspended a rule to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline, and later announced that the next floor session would be held on Monday, April 13, 2026. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with extended remarks from Senators Cortese, Wahab, and Becker describing his long public service, leadership on transportation and environmental issues, and lasting influence in Santa Clara County and beyond.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:35.800><c> to</c><00:04:36.000><c> as</c><00:04:36.120><c> many</c> we don't have access to
• c> rural</c> Housing and to improve the access rural Housing and to improve the access rural motans<00
• I was looking to move to a house that was accessible for him, and I could not find one.
• I was looking to move to a house that was accessible for him, and I could not find one.
• I was looking to move to a house that was accessible for him, and I could not find one.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to increase accessibility here in Minnesota, Senator John Jasinski says the state needs to strike
• the right balance, creating enough regulations to welcome driverless ride-share services, but not so
• So, to increase accessibility here in Minnesota, Senator John Jasinski says the state needs to strike
• the right balance, creating enough regulations to welcome driverless ride-share services, but not so
• So, to increase accessibility here in Minnesota, Senator John Jasinski says the state needs to strike

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you sell cannabis to adults, young people have less access to it.
• </c> access to funding and technical access to funding and technical assistance<00:28:49.760><c> equity
• </c><00:29:01.000><c> to</c> entrepreneurs uh need access to entrepreneurs uh need access to resources
• > navigate</c> Hawaiians to access capital or navigate Hawaiians to access capital or navigate complex
• c> access before I end I would like to access before I end I would like to bring<01:13:07.639><c> your

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to note particularly the accessibility of the... ...interpretive trail loop.
• The impact on community: the Latino artists will have access to critical resources.
• Endured immense hardship and service to a cause that shaped the course of history, both in Southeast
• People can access items from their culture, which are often more difficult to find in our area than in
• It is crucial that we keep festivals honoring our history affordable and accessible to our community.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to the next one, the Equitable Access to Credit Program. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Our next review is the Equitable Access to Credit Program.
• Under the CRA, financial institutions are required to provide banking services to low- and moderate-income
• Treasury that makes loans to individuals who have historically not had access to credit.
• JLARC at ledge.wa.gov or using the postal service to send them to P.O.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• access to the kind account you know has access to the kind of<00:26:51.679><c> data</c><00:26:51.919>
• someone where they're at to provide that service, we've got all of those additional costs.
• are able to provide good quality services.
• Thank you for your service to the country and the City of Lakeville. Any other questions?
• c><01:21:29.280><c> the</c><01:21:29.400><c> City</c><01:21:29.560><c> of</c> service to the country

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This also be documented in attested to by the savings institution to the Department of Financial Services
• And we remain committed to expanding access to justice for Floridians that need it most.
• housing, health care, stable families, access to education.
• We strengthen our state legal latest able to provide the services and more to Floridians in need at no
• our service to minimizing the financial impact on the state.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to bring treatment and services.
• As proposed to be amended, SB 926 would provide upon appropriation, funding the key services needed to
• to these critical services that the TRCs provide.
• faced in accessing ABA services and to ensure that children could access behavioral health treatment
• access to alcohol and drive drunk again.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of public safety bills. The chair announced recess and return times, noted several consent items, and said SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Testimony procedures were explained, including limits on principal witnesses and public comment. Several bills were heard out of file order with authors presenting and witnesses speaking in support and opposition. SB 1446 would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make votes public, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluations in certain cases. Supporters, including the author and district attorneys, said it would improve transparency and public safety; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual or serial sexual offenses from elderly parole eligibility; the author and district attorneys cited recent releases of serious sex offenders and the need to respect victims and sentences, while opponents said the elderly parole process is already rigorous and evidence-based and that the bill would reduce rehabilitation incentives. The chair and other members strongly supported the measure, but no vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement forces from entering California without the governor’s permission; the author and supporters framed it as a state sovereignty and constitutional authority measure, and the committee discussed an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for implementation of Proposition 36; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and related services, while opponents called it fiscally reckless and said the budget process was the proper place to address funding. The chair summarized amendments removing a specific appropriation and limiting eligible recipients, and members emphasized that the voters approved Prop. 36 but it remains underfunded. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer oversight for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment providers, especially ABA providers serving children; it drew support from health plans and behavior analysis groups and no opposition. SB 1210 would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to all gang databases, including local ones; supporters described privacy harms and racial disparities, while police chiefs opposed applying CalGang rules to informal local investigative files. SB 1019 would create a DOJ cargo theft task force; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, and port interests described organized theft, rail sabotage, and supply-chain losses, and there was no opposition. SB 1217, on non-consensual intimate image removal, was introduced with privacy and public safety amendments and framed as a survivor-driven effort to create a DOJ clearinghouse for rapid takedown requests; the author said it would help end ongoing digital harm from exploitation.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Foundational Public Health Services Account, and to the general fund.
• What we have to think about is the access to grocery stores and pharmacies for people across the state
• I think it is important that we sync up our efforts, that as we are aiming to restrict access to tobacco
• to pay for fire services somehow, someplace.
• have to pay for fire services somehow at some place.

Summary: House Finance held a bill briefing and executive session on a large set of tax and revenue measures, with staff outlining proposed substitutes and amendments for bills affecting grocery store incentives, insurance premium/B&O tax treatment, tobacco taxes, financial institutions, lodging taxes, fire district levy rules, local tax increment financing, limited equity cooperatives, tourism assessments, and sustainable aviation fuel credits. Members also heard brief summaries of bills on nonprofit assembly hall property tax exemptions and a city levy adjustment related to fire protection districts. Two bills scheduled for public hearing were not reached and may be rescheduled after House of Origin cutoff. In executive session, the committee adopted or rejected several amendments before voting bills out. HB 2297 on grocery stores in underserved communities advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the property tax exemption; the bill was reported out 9-5-1. HB 2487 on insurance tax treatment advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove retroactivity and clarify annuity treatment; it was reported out 8-6-1. HB 2382, which raises cigarette and other tobacco taxes and changes tobacco tax structures, adopted amendments redirecting some revenue to health accounts, excluding nicotine-free vapor products, and restoring current-law treatment for modified-risk tobacco products before passing 8-6-1. HB 2451 on tax increment financing, HB 2590 on limited equity cooperatives, HB 2325 on a tourism self-supported assessment program with a tribal opt-in amendment, HB 2278 extending a lodging tax charge, HB 2224 adjusting levy rules for fire protection districts, and HB 2322 on sustainable aviation fuel tax credits all advanced, with some by voice vote. During debate, supporters generally framed the bills as targeted incentives or clarifications to support food access, wildfire mitigation, tourism promotion, housing affordability, or clean fuel investment, while opponents raised concerns about tax shifts, affordability, retroactivity, and whether dedicated revenues should instead come from the general fund. Several members noted that some measures still needed further work before floor action, especially HB 2487 and HB 2382. The committee adjourned after reporting the listed bills out with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• take this course in order to access off-highway lands beginning in 2029.
• while preserving access to responsible recreation.
• I meant to start with that, and I apologize. But in... The Forestry Service.
• And I think it's also important, though, to ensure public access and to ensure that the land is protected
• our public lands so that future generations of Californians can continue to have access to them.

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, and land-use bills. AB 2218 by Assembly Member Calóra would establish a state policy directing agencies to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting tribes; tribal supporters said it is a needed step toward restoring a voice at the table, while water agencies and local government groups opposed it as vague and potentially harmful to water supply reliability. The bill was amended in committee and moved forward on a vote, though it was left on call. AB 2032 by Assembly Member Ransom, the Golden Mussel Response Act, would speed agency response to the invasive golden mussel by streamlining permits and research; it drew broad support and no opposition, and passed the committee unanimously to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 1712 by Assembly Member Pacheco would let Santa Fe Springs sell its small, contaminated water system through a protest process instead of a municipal election; supporters said it would avoid major rate hikes and improve reliability, and it was moved to Appropriations, though the vote was left on call. The committee also considered AB 1722 by Assembly Member Hadwick, which would create a clearer self-defense exception under the California Endangered Species Act for people facing dangerous predators. The author and a sheriff described a fatal mountain lion attack and argued rural residents need certainty; Defenders of Wildlife withdrew opposition after committee amendments, and the bill advanced to Judiciary on a vote that was left on call. AB 1613 by Assembly Member Wilson would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship certification course before operating OHVs on public lands starting in 2029. Supporters said it would reduce accidents and educate new riders, while Vice Chair Gonzalez raised concerns about fees, penalties, tourism, and impacts on low-income residents in his district; the bill passed on a split vote and was left on call. Later, AB 1808 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand local permitting authority for Western Joshua tree projects and reduce or waive some fees for homeowners and public works. Supporters framed it as a way to balance conservation with housing and infrastructure needs, while environmental groups opposed changes they said would weaken avoidance and mitigation protections; the bill passed to Natural Resources and was left on call. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Rubio would address imported water deliveries and groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel restrictions, with supporters arguing for a statewide, science-based approach that preserves water reliability; it advanced to Appropriations with no opposition. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance competing interests, especially around water reliability, tribal equity, public safety, and environmental protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• But thank you for your service. And it's been a pleasure to get to know you over the years.
• Thank you for your service to the Senate.
• But the bottom line is that we have to look at the debt service.
• And lastly, funding to help support our veterans to make sure that they have homes honoring the service
• to quality food disparities, access to open space, access to quality jobs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we’re going to go ahead and move on to Health and Human Services Commission.
• , all providers have to be enrolled in our system in order to deliver services to Medicaid clients and
• in order to pay for services for her child, her son.
• So I have direct access to the commissioners and report to them.
• So I have direct access to the commissioners and report to them.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service. Let's go right to the important part I'd like to tell you.
• keep in the condition required to stay in service.
• But more importantly, it would increase access to these life-saving services to every person in every
• But more importantly, it would increase access to these life-saving services to every person in every
• equity among all the counties to pay for this service.

Bills: SB6084 , SB6044 , SB5950 , SB6046 , SB5763 , SB5784

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:28.880><c> to</c><00:42:29.000><c> our</c> service to our service to our state<00:42:31.240><c
• I want to thank you all for your public service to our state.
• 01:09:14.520><c> you</c> public service to our state thank you public service to our state thank you
• </c><01:13:02.000><c> to</c> you for your time and your service to you for your time and your service
• you're</c> equal access to this process you're equal access to this process you're going<01:41:10.040

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To provide the service and affordability and to be consistent with what we're trying to do with the cost
• could have put over 29 million Californians at risk of losing guaranteed access to phone service.
• put over 29 million Californians at risk for losing guaranteed access to phone service.
• In those areas, this means that customers will not be left without access to communication services.
• have access to reliable service.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds. Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget. Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.