Transcript Highlights:

• And yet we don't prioritize fixing them or prioritize the budget that is needed to address... ...fixing
• them or prioritize the budget that is needed to address them by identifying what the project needs to
• water system should be a priority, and make sure that one of the first things that get put in the budget
• As a member of the Budget Committee and chair of a subcommittee, it was very interesting to me to learn
• When I was the deputy, we went through a service-based budgeting drill that was mandated by the Legislature

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's seen enough once-in-a-generation budgets to know that in Vermont a generation lasts about two biennium
• once<00:03:04.000><c> in</c><00:03:04.159><c> a</c><00:03:04.319><c> generation</c><00:03:04.800><c> budgets
• </c><00:03:05.280><c> to</c><00:03:05.440><c> know</c> once in a generation budgets to know once in a
• generation budgets to know that<00:03:05.760><c> in</c><00:03:06.000><c> Vermont</c><00:03:06.319><c
• favorably on House Bill 952, which is an act relating to capital construction in the state bonding budget

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only challenge we have is that we've had a budget of $10.5 million, but since the program, we ran
• There is $14.5 million in the executive budget that the governor has put in to expand M.J. Foster.
• We're working with the governor's staff to try to put more money in the budget, and if we do that, we're
• We're working with the governor's staff to try to put more money in the budget, and if we do that, we're
• So I'll intend to. to put more money in the budget, and if we do that, we're going to make the changes

Bills: HCR10 , HB195 , HB283 , HB319 , HB325 , HB407 , HB448 , HB482 , HB992

Committee: House Education

Keywords: sanctioned sports, athletics, youth sports, high school, LHSAA, self-defense, chemical spray, public safety, campus security, higher education, Teacher's Shield Act, student discipline, assault, battery, school employee protection, sick leave, expulsion procedures, Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, civic education, civic engagement

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature budgeted for a charter reform committee two years ago, and the county executive just
• We’ve had lawsuits where the county legislature passed a budget and it was...”
• And Kansas City is, just as an example, their budget, I think, pushes $2.5 billion.
• The whole of Jackson County’s budget is more like $500 million.
• Budgets are taxed, call volumes are going up, and we took a deep dive into why people were calling 911

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• spent the morning, as a matter of fact, going through an internal survey that we're doing through our budget
• And as I’ve heard from many of you, our laws and budgets are a reflection of our values.
• Make this a priority in our budget fight this year.
• We realize that this is a really tough budget year for Californians, but again, this is critically important
• We want to specifically request support for the Stop Hate budget proposal, which is requesting $100 million

Summary: The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses. Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting. Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting. No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.

Transcript Highlights:

• spent the morning, as a matter of fact, going through an internal survey that we're doing through our budget
• And as I’ve heard from many of you, our laws and budgets are a reflection of our values.
• Make this a priority in our budget fight this year.
• We realize that this is a really tough budget year for Californians, but again, this is critically important
• We want to specifically request support for the Stop Hate budget proposal, which is requesting $100 million

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you consider the recommendations and prioritizing next steps and determining a budget, I would suggest
• So, as you may know, Judge O'Malley, the Minnesota Management and Budget Department has statutory responsibility
• So as you may know, Judge O'Malley, the Minnesota Management and Budget Department has statutory responsibility
• For those of you that were here at the time, that budget was negotiated with Governor Dayton.
• something that we put into statute in 2015, if for those of you that we're here at the time, that budget

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of Representatives, House Bill No. 834 by the Appropriations Committee, an act relating to state budgets
• House Bill No. 836 by the Appropriations Committee, an act relating to state budgets, amending Chapter
• House Bill No. 837 by the Appropriations Committee, an act relating to the state budget, amending Chapter
• of a new section, 67-3512B, Idaho Code, to provide for a calculator reduction from the Governor's budget
• House Bill 838 by the Appropriations Committee, an act relating to the state budget, amending Section

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal, then received several Senate messages and committee reports. A number of bills were introduced or advanced, including measures on health care, elections, schools, water districts, crime victims, and animal protection, along with several resolutions and memorials. The House also took up a constitutional resolution on parental rights in education, but House Joint Resolution 9 failed because it did not receive the required two-thirds vote, finishing at 44 ayes and 25 nays. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 585 would impose a 48-hour deadline for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections and allow refunds and third-party inspections if the deadline is missed; members disclosed Rule 80 conflicts because of permit-related businesses, and the bill passed 69-1. House Bill 736 lowered the voter threshold for ballot rotation requirements to expand rotation to more elections and passed 68-1. House Bill 626 changed county impact-fee language from “may” to “shall,” House Bill 749 addressed annexation-related septic system costs, House Bill 650 affirmed federalism principles, House Bill 788 created a pilot incentive for medical preceptors, House Bill 738 added an LLC filing option using a commercial registered agent address, House Bill 685 added a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while masked, House Bill 696 updated prison sexual-contact language, House Bill 686 created a narrow nepotism exception for small towns, House Bill 670 clarified urban renewal/fire district opt-out rules, House Bill 734 fixed a wind/geothermal tax distribution formula, and House Bill 570 increased penalties for reckless driving in active construction zones. Most of these bills passed with comfortable majorities, though House Bill 685 passed narrowly at 38-31 and House Bill 570 passed 68-1. Later, the House passed House Bill 561 on flag displays by government entities, despite debate that it was aimed at restricting certain local flags; it passed 58-11. The House also passed House Bill 692 on foster-care court proceedings and House Bill 575 on centralized civil asset forfeiture reporting, both after debate about transparency and court procedure. Additional bills passed included House Bill 562, extending the notice period for insurance nonrenewals to 60 days; House Bill 810, setting residency requirements for legislative candidates with exemptions for military service and missions; House Bill 593, repealing obsolete waste-management and Big Payette Lake provisions; House Bill 714, updating hazardous waste siting law; and House Bill 507, revising Idaho National Guard military justice procedures to restore non-judicial punishment authority. The House recessed and later returned to continue business, with several bills transmitted to the Senate after passage and no title corrections on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties, of course, don't have annexation, but it was within the budgeting capacity of a county or a
• have the team or the I’m just curious to know if you have been able to kind of put together a rough budget
• There’s a lot of hurdles that have to cross from a financial standpoint, which we’d have to be budgeted
• , there's a lot of hurdles that have to cross from a financial standpoint, which we'd have to be budgeted
• So I understand the concerns and the budget constraints and things like that.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 626, which would require cities to collect county development impact fees for county facilities such as jails and courthouses rather than allowing cities to opt out. Representative Alfieri and county officials from Payette and Kootenai counties argued the bill was needed so growth would pay for county infrastructure and so one jurisdiction would not shift costs to others. The Idaho Association of Counties supported the bill, while the Association of Idaho Cities opposed it, saying cities are separate entities and should not be compelled to administer county fees. A virtual attorney for several cities argued the bill likely conflicts with the Idaho Constitution because county ordinances cannot be enforced inside city limits and suggested the issue should be handled through intergovernmental agreements instead. Committee members questioned why counties could not collect the fees themselves, whether the bill contained an enforcement mechanism, and whether the measure was constitutional. Supporters said cities had refused to collect fees in specific counties, causing lost revenue for jail and ambulance projects. Opponents said cities may lack the staff or revenue to administer the program and that the bill would force one local government to carry out another’s ordinance. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed, and the committee voted to send House Bill 626 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 749, a separate annexation-related measure. Representative Ehart described it as a collaborative fix developed with the Association of Idaho Cities to address costly annexation impacts on property owners, including the Hammonds, who testified that annexation had created large potential costs and uncertainty for their home. The committee voted to send House Bill 749 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Later, the committee took up House Bill 659, which would require local and county law enforcement agencies to apply for federal 287(g) agreements with ICE and to explain in writing if they cannot participate. Representative Hawkins said the bill was intended to increase cooperation with ICE and emphasized that it focused on jail-based enforcement and application for agreements, not street-level immigration policing. Sheriffs and other opponents argued the bill would impose costs, interfere with constitutional duties of elected sheriffs, and potentially require participation in future federal programs with unknown scope. Supporters said the public wanted stronger immigration enforcement and that federal reimbursement and training could offset costs. Testimony continued from both supporters and opponents, but no final committee action on HB 659 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Florida has made, and this budget in particular, we're looking really at strengthening our
• School, which is one of our state's A high schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting
• School, which is one of our state's A high schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting
• Not only do we set the budget for higher education, and I always like to say, number one system of higher
• hopefully that will come soon, we will be able to go into conference and come out with an amazing budget

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Florida has made, and this budget in particular, we're looking really at strengthening our
• High School, which is one of our state's A schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting
• Not only do we set the budget for higher education, and I always like to say, number one system of higher
• Not only do we set the budget for higher education, and I always like to say, number one, system of higher
• hopefully that will come soon, we will be able to go into conference and come out with an amazing budget

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not preclude further tax cuts or conformity during the budget negotiations.
• to, you know, have you take that bill up and to, as I said, talk about these tax cuts further in budget
• It sure does clean things up and makes this bill a lot easier to be one bite at the apple for the budget
• Madam Chair, I think this risk going beyond the scope of this amendment to not be talking budget policy
• But offline, I'm happy to have a much longer conversation about the budget, as I'm sure we'll all have

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what happens to the cost to our health and welfare budget, you know, Medicaid, especially if we start
• I don't know how much I'm responsible to count for the county budgets.
• How much money would you have to budget for covering private cause of action of $5,000 if, in fact, your
• So about one-eighth of our budget currently. Representative Price: Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I had a tiny budget. And in that program, it was all irrigated cow pastures. We flew all of it.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Small towns and rural counties do not have litigation budgets.
• Small towns and rural counties do not have litigation budgets.
• I deeply worry about that as we're stretched to fill increasingly aggressive court budgets. Mr.
• And there's just not the budget in these small communities for that.
• If someone is going to take you to court, there's just not the budget in these small communities for

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, our state budget is $114 billion, right? We're ranked third in population.
• state of New York, which has a lot of these policies in place, is fourth in population, but their budget
• In fact, our state budget is $114 billion, right? We're ranked third in population.
• state of New York, which has a lot of these policies in place, is fourth in population, but their budget
• So clearly there's there's a, there's But their budget is over $270 billion.

Bills: S0558 , S1294 , S1468 , S1474 , S1682 , S1628

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: stormwater systems, environmental standards, municipal infrastructure, engineering certifications, local compliance, Florida Department of Transportation, biosolids, agronomic rate, land application, environmental protection, Florida statutes, nutrient management, recordkeeping, farming, compost products, wastewater treatment, environment, sewage disposal, pollution control, reporting requirements

Summary: The committee took up several environmental bills, beginning with SB 1682 on local administration of vessel restrictions. Senator Trumbull said the bill would give cities and counties tools to address abandoned, derelict, and long-term anchored vessels while following state standards and FWC guidance. Members from affected areas spoke in support, citing recurring derelict vessel problems and the difficulty and cost of removal once vessels sink. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1468 on advanced wastewater treatment, which would require DEP to compile a detailed statewide report on wastewater treatment plants, including construction age, treatment levels, contaminant data, spill history, flood risk, and receiving waterbody impairment information. Florida Rural Water Association testified that any move to require advanced treatment for all plants over one MGD could create major financial burdens without dedicated funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 1294 on biosolids management, with a strike-all amendment adopted. Senator Bradley said the revised bill would require bulk Class AA biosolids fertilizer and compost products to be land applied only at agronomic rates and, absent a bona fide sale, only at permitted DEP-approved sites, with a transition date moved to July 1, 2028. Supporters said it would protect water quality and legitimate fertilizer and compost markets, while rural utilities asked for funding and flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1628 on net zero policies by governmental entities. Senator Avila said the bill would prohibit local governments and other governmental entities from adopting or funding net zero policies, imposing related fees or taxes, or operating cap-and-trade or carbon trading programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of carbon dioxide. The bill drew extensive debate: supporters argued it would protect residents and businesses from higher costs and preserve predictability, while opponents said it would block local climate and clean-energy policies, including electric buses, energy-efficiency measures, and climate resilience planning. After public testimony on both sides, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1474 on biosolids management, which Senator Gates said would require biosolids and septage to be treated at the highest practical level when wastewater treatment facilities are reasonably accessible and would bar Class B land application within 50 miles of a permitted wastewater facility. An amendment applying the statutory definition of septage was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 558 on stormwater system standards. Senator Burgess said it would create statewide standards for municipal and county stormwater systems using FDOT guidelines and third-party inspections, with an amendment making technical changes and broadening who may perform inspections. Supporters said uniform standards could improve safety and reduce failures, while contractors, engineers, and industry groups warned it could raise costs, delay projects, and preempt stronger local standards. The bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We still do not have a farm bill, but I saw its budget more than triple.
• And I think as we go into the next session, we're going to need to be, and obviously this is not a budget
• this</c><00:18:55.440><c> is</c><00:18:55.600><c> not</c><00:18:55.760><c> a</c><00:18:55.919><c> budget
• </c> obviously this is not a budget session. obviously this is not a budget session.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: State legislators and farm leaders held an impromptu discussion focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement activity, especially ICE presence in Minnesota, on agriculture and rural communities. Speakers argued that agriculture is central to the state’s economy and said fear of raids is causing legal immigrant and guest workers, including H-2A workers, to stay home, disrupting farms, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and other parts of the food supply chain. They also linked the issue to broader federal uncertainty, including USDA funding freezes and cuts, and said the lack of transparency from federal agencies is making it difficult for state officials and producers to plan. Senator Rob Kupec and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said ICE activity in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is creating fear, trauma, and labor shortages, with reports of workers avoiding work, lunch trips, medical appointments, and school. Wertish said the organization supports comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the ICE surge, while also emphasizing the need to respect local law enforcement and the rule of law. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said immigrants are a critical part of Minnesota’s food and agriculture workforce, warned that labor shortages could raise production costs and food prices, and said the state would not have its current food supply without immigrant workers. In response to questions, speakers said they had anecdotal reports from rural areas such as Pelican Rapids, Willmar, and Detroit Lakes, but that the situation is changing quickly and many incidents may not yet be public. They said the lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the use of masks contribute to fear and confusion. Legislators said they have no direct jurisdiction over ICE operations but see their role as documenting what is happening, communicating with constituents, and avoiding state actions that would worsen the problem. They also said the issue is not purely partisan and may be mobilizing concern across political lines, especially among farmers worried about labor availability for planting and other seasonal work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a pretty big budget item that y'all are requesting.
• When looking at the budget, the request was $151 million.
• validation, IV&V, and that's just a third party coming in to watch over your project, look at your budget
• You know, I think that's something that when you're making budgets, the recurring costs are something
• But, uh, we will look into this, and the budget will be coming out soon, and we'll see where everything

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Personnel Cabinet and Kentucky Employees Health Plan officials presented a request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (CHRIS), the state’s HR/payroll ERP system procured in 2007. They said the system supports core HR and payroll for about 48,000 state employees, 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and the Kentucky Employees Health Plan, which covers more than 300,000 lives. Officials emphasized that SAP has said the system will be end-of-life and out of support by 2030, which would eliminate security updates, vendor maintenance, and tax-compliance support. They argued that replacement is necessary to protect sensitive personnel and health data, maintain payroll accuracy, and avoid major operational and cybersecurity risks. Officials described the project as a true replacement, not just an upgrade, and said the proposed $151 million request covers a five- to six-year implementation, stabilization, and ongoing maintenance period. They broke down the estimate as including roughly $54 million for software licensing and hosting, about $76.5 million for systems integrator/professional services, and additional amounts for independent verification and validation, dependent verification for the health plan, FSA administration, contingency staffing, and hardware-related needs. They said the cost increase from prior estimates was mainly due to inflation and updated requirements. They also noted that payments would be tied to deliverables and checkpoints, with third-party IV&V oversight, and that the cabinet expects to continue normal quarterly IT reporting to LRC while also providing at least monthly project updates because of the 2030 deadline. Committee members asked about the total cost of ownership, recurring operating costs, the size of the integrator contract, how vendor costs were estimated, and how progress would be tracked. Officials said they used market research, peer-state comparisons, vendor discussions, and independent reviews, including input from AON and a third-party QA resource. They explained that the integrator would handle requirements mapping, system design, configuration, training, change management, and implementation support across the Personnel Cabinet, KHP, and other stakeholders. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion; the meeting consisted of testimony, questions, and answers on the funding request and implementation plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• typically with these select committees, they do end up garnering ideas for either policy bills or budget
• As shared in the first hearing, I just referred to kind of the budget components of the goals of these
• This year, although a very tough budget year, we were able to invest an additional $1 million in research
• In particular, the School Food Best Practices Fund, including in Governor Newsom's 2022 budget as an
• We were glad to see the kit funds in the most recent budget, albeit at a lower funding level than what

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a year when budgets are so tight and every dollar is being stretched, our mandate is clearly harder
• That's not the cost of programs we're currently trying to save in this year's budget.
• This is not just a problem about our budget.
• request unanimous consent to suspend joint rule 62A, the file notice requirement to allow the Assembly Budget
• This bill start out with a little bit more money, a little more maybe budget deficit problems where we're

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One budget. One phone number when the unthinkable happens.
• And there's still going to be influence over that budget, the facilities.
• We call them before Senate Finance, and they have to present their budgets separately.
• Named Senate confirmation, not just the budget.
• And I need to understand, I'm a budget wonk; I need to understand, you know, where that's going to be

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity