Transcript Highlights:

• I do like to, I've been reporting that across our agencies, we only have 11 agencies that are averaging
• We're issuing that out to agencies, and agencies are using that to make their PDFs more compliant.
• We’re tracking this for pretty much every state agency at this point, so every agency has a slide like
• Can we fund those in a way that does not lead agencies to nickel and dime and have to go through the
• Can we fund those in a way that does not lead agencies to nickel and dime and have to go through the

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just became a new agency a few years ago.
• From local agencies.
• So we're establishing, as a death occurs in a local agency, they're now required to report to our agency
• I've been with this agency for 10 years.
• leading in the space to create more public trust?

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by unanimous 5-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Trista Gonzalez as Director of the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Gonzalez described her 33-year career in tax administration, emphasized taxpayer service, efficient collection, and support for small businesses, and answered questions about lithium extraction tax registration, online sales tax enforcement under Wayfair and AB 147, and CDTFA’s work with illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Members praised her responsiveness to legislators and constituents, and public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, on his confirmation. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audits, implementation of SB 519, access to local agency records, standards for detention facilities, and conditions in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board is using inspections, technical assistance, and public reporting to improve compliance and transparency, and that additional trailer bill language clarified access to records. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. The committee approved his nomination 5-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just became a new agency a few years ago.
• , so we're establishing... ...from local agencies.
• So we're establishing, as a death occurs in a local agency, they're now required to report to our agency
• I've been with this agency for 10 years.
• leading in the space to create more public trust?

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dubois, can you explain the funding structure for the agency as it pertains to the bill when the agency
• Additional dollars and my understanding is that the The comptroller, uh, The agency Used, uh, The agency
• Um Can you explain the surcharge and the process that would occur if the agency needed to apply those
• Budget gets to the end, there's flexibility in the agency to make those adjustments.
• wholesaler, secondary lead smelter, or an authorized recycling facility.

Bills: HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, our nation-leading child tax credit is cutting child poverty in Minnesota by up to a third
• We've also taken nation-leading action on banning forever chemicals, which makes everyone healthier.
• And, of course, we established the nation's leading paid family leave program.
• </c><00:32:51.800><c> our</c> a centralized office to lead our a centralized office to lead our statewide
• </c> organizations, and state agencies organizations, and state agencies towards<00:33:14.520><c> a</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first recommendation is that of the state agencies, if a merger was to occur, which state agency
• So the first recommendation is that of the state agencies, if a merger was to occur, which state agency
• So if you're in that state agency and you want to grow and you want to stay with the state agency, most
• They need to go to another agency to grow their career.
• Maybe this will lead to that result.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thereby, they called for EliS staff to lead that planning process.
• And so the judge did not feel that he could compel LESC staff to uh Lead this work.
• OK, as even being prospects of leading this effort.
• No, I'm not aware of, of the agency having reached out to anyone yet. OK, cool.
• Chair and Senator, so there are things that the agency has been working on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kent is a soldier and a patriot who is the right person to lead the National Counterterrorism Center.
• Kent, you have been nominated to lead the agency most central to our fight against foreign terrorists
• I lack that bird's eye view, quite frankly, right now about what each agency is doing.
• The FBI and other law enforcement agencies and trapping individuals.
• We need to make sure... from that position that the various agencies, the 18 agencies of the intelligence

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Keywords: national security, intelligence community, Aaron Lucas, Joe Kent, John Eisenberg, China threat, terrorism, collaboration, oversight, intelligence capabilities

Summary: The committee meeting centered around significant discussions regarding national security and intelligence community leadership. Notably, nominees Aaron Lucas for Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Joe Kent for Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Eisenberg for Assistant Attorney General for National Security were introduced. Concerns were raised about the current state of U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly in relation to threats posed by foreign adversaries such as China and ongoing risks from terrorism. The dialogue emphasized the necessity for robust oversight and the importance of collaboration within the intelligence community, as well as with international allies, to ensure effective security measures are in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also ensure that the agency with the appropriate expertise is the one reviewing cases and holding
• In their licensure, they would have to report that to the other agency.
• The challenge that we see is these agencies have to have the ability, specifically the Texas Medical
• These are distinct agencies that have this authority.
• He began using while driving and during breaks at work, leading to a higher intake.

Bills: SB2024 , SB227 , SB268 , SB1467 , SB1580 , HB5537 , SB1313 , SB1677 , SB918 , SB331 , SB2207 , SB2721

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• and resource agencies as well.
• But that's a big issue for the groundwater agencies.
• This will eventually lead to unmet demand.
• agency to coordinate or resolve conflicts, as well as chronic staffing vacancies in agencies that were
• agency to coordinate or resolve conflicts, as well as chronic staffing vacancies in agencies that require

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:

• Teams leading up to today's hearing.
• So SB 1114 simply says that state agencies will not share that data with federal agencies unless it is
• But in all other cases, our state agencies will not be providing that data to federal agencies.
• Instead, the bill assumes agencies will get it right on their own.
• And I want to see how you plan to lead in this discussion.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So here for any animal control agency.
• Let Hawaii lead with foresight rather than react out of frustration.
• Let Hawaii lead with foresight rather than react out of frustration.
• Let Hawaii lead with foresight rather than react out of frustration.
• </c> obtained by a state or county agency. obtained by a state or county agency.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1880 , HB1831

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: pesticides, environmental impact, agriculture, 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos, land management, wastewater compliance, state funding, survey issues, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a federal agency?
• and a federal agency?
• </c> has been reached between a local agency has been reached between a local agency and<00:16:58.399
• </c><00:17:14.079><c> They</c> agencies, federal agents there. They agencies, federal agents there.
• </c><00:22:46.559><c> to</c> as local law enforcement agencies to as local law enforcement agencies to

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are an organization of 27 public water agencies.
• Carol Mahoney, with Zone 7 Water Agency, in strong support.
• Okay, we'll go to any lead opposition witnesses.
• Lead witness in opposition, please come forward.
• Please come forward as a lead witness. Not seeing anyone.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is intending to submit an agency pre-file bill, If the agency is intending to submit an agency pre-file
• So if those are OMB being a lead agency, establishing a collaborative group to explore these and present
• , the, you know, the agencies, staff, and our, the agencies, the, you know, the agencies, staff, and
• So in considering that, there will likely be other topics where OMB is the lead agency.
• So in considering that, there will likely be other topics where OMB is the lead agency.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes DOEA to provide temporary direct services during declared emergencies or lead agency failures
• It requires area agencies on aging to rescindance...
• It requires area agencies on aging to rescindance...
• Education leads to Blame, it's about education. Education leads to faster care.
• Education leads to better outcomes. Education protects lives. Thank you for listening.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My agency is a, is a cost recovery agency for the, mainly what that means is we don't use general revenue
• This, this agency I oversee is about a $7 billion agency.
• We are an agency led by veterinarians.
• The Texas Animal Health Commission is the lead agency for all issues involving foreign and emerging,
• So Texas is really leading the way.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• The whole point of this is to lead to housing that people can afford.
• This insignia indicates the FBH unit is manufactured to the design approval agency, or DAA, as we call
• The department accomplishes this in partnership with certified third-party agencies.
• In this role, I lead interagency efforts at the intersection of housing and climate, including SGC's
• California leads the country in many ways.

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on housing construction innovation, focusing on factory-built and modular housing as a way to lower costs, speed delivery, and expand housing supply. The chair framed the effort as a search for practical innovation paired with land use, financing, and regulatory changes that could make housing more affordable for working families. Government witnesses from HCD, the Strategic Growth Council, and the tax credit and bond allocation agencies explained how factory-built housing is regulated, how California standards and third-party approvals work, and how state programs are trying to build regional demand and financing pipelines for modular production. Testimony from investors and developers emphasized both the promise and the risks of modular construction. JP Morgan Chase and the Housing Accelerator Fund described projects that achieved meaningful time and cost savings, but said lenders still see elevated risk because of manufacturer solvency, upfront deposits, transportation and installation issues, and the need for standardized designs and experienced teams. They urged more standardization, more local factories, better alignment between financing timelines and construction schedules, and state support such as backstops, top-loss capital, and scoring preferences in tax credit and bond programs. Several speakers noted that recent federal changes to the 4% tax credit program increased production capacity, but warned that without continued state investment the pipeline could face a future funding cliff. The workforce panel, including union contractors, factory supervisors, and labor representatives, said modular construction can support good jobs if it is paired with union labor, training, and fair standards. They described benefits for workers such as steadier schedules, less commuting, improved safety, and better work-life balance, while also stressing the need for wages, health coverage, retirement benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities. Union representatives supported a model that keeps both factory and on-site work unionized and said the industry could create more jobs overall if California builds more factories and develops a stable, long-term demand pipeline. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wouldn't have been fulfilled at just any state agency.
• It's been almost a year since I've returned to the agency... ...agency collaboration challenges.
• It's been almost a year since I returned to the agency.
• So I think the first, the mission of the agency is huge.
• That can lead to fragmented care.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies prepare collision reports; both local enforcement agencies and TxDOT retain them.
• However, the language of the statute lacks clarity, leading to confusion in some legal offices and at
• At this time, we have about 350 agencies in the state that have used the program.
• We worked hard to fix that, not just DPS, but the legislature and the other state agencies.
• such as my former agency, Texas DPS, Texas Tech's DOT, and of course Texas DMV and others.

Bills: SB 1493 , SB 1598 , SB 1895 , SB 1919 , SB 2039 , SB 2226 , SB 2243 , SB 2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.