Transcript Highlights:

• In the State of Texas, outside of **Dallas** and **Houston**, the only State agency responding to new
• delay in payment causes further interest to accrue against the State.
• Our basis was a state law claim, and...
• **General Paxton**: So, our basis for this claim was a state law claim.
• Other states can't afford it, and the federal government often won't do it.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilizing state funds...
• find a state.
• If you look across different states.
• In other words, there are in state after state, parents that are not well. or accessing these programs
• Thank you. being unelected, he was actually elected to the United States Congress, and he's up in Washington

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• If Massachusetts or any state were to require a single change to data messaging, Any state would require
• revenue for the state, and you're acknowledging that they took a lot of time and energy to collect it
• That is the state. It's a reduction in the sales tax collection to the state. But why?
• Why would the state pay that?
• And all I'm saying is that for one state, like Illinois is the size, that we're saying, If one state

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Escorted by Assembly Member Ward is retired United States Army Major Veronica Zura.
• Please welcome retired United States Army Major Veronica Zura.
• Please welcome retired United States Army Major Veronica Zura.
• Former fellows have applied to the State Assembly and State Senate fellowship programs and have landed
• And so it matters when we put in-home supportive services in our state budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are truly a state treasure. You are truly a state treasure, and I am sorry to see you leave.
• You are truly a state treasurer. You are truly a state treasurer, and I am sorry to see you leave.
• I didn’t mean the state budget.
• States with inspection authority have firearm homicide rates 51% lower than states without it.
• Two years later, there are now 14 total states. And this isn't just blue states.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state could consider broader changes to either realignment or the state-county partnership in this
• And so our ability to have focused programs that are helping those who make our state the greatest state
• The counties in all of our state will be able to meet that challenge and to share. and all of our state
• The state and administration are trying to figure out ways as to how to go about using state dollars
• at that state option, look at state-funded Medi-Cal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines historic monuments or memorials as the responsibility of the state, and the state preempts
• It is preempted to the state.
• trans care, because it did state till 18, I believe.
• They weaponize state government to intimidate public servants.
• decisions is not the direction that we want as a state.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and voted on a series of bills covering child abuse reporting, firearms products liability, crime victim records, guardianship eligibility, historic monuments, animal welfare, juvenile justice, and restrictions on sex reassignment care for minors. HB 373, on the statute of limitations for violations involving required child abuse reports, passed unanimously. HB 1551, as amended, clarified that a firearm is not defective merely because it lacks optional safety features and preserved design-defect claims and nonretroactivity; after substantial testimony and debate, it passed 13-5. CS/HB 1113, expanding public-records protections for crime victims and briefly exempting law enforcement victims, passed unanimously. CS/HB 737, allowing courts more discretion in appointing guardians with prior felony convictions and adding a narrow exception for certain older convictions, also passed unanimously as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have with us staff from California State Treasurer Fiona Ma's office.
• And that's going to be all throughout the state.
• If there's anyone who would like to state their name, organization, and.
• But if you could state your name, organization, and a position on this topic.
• But if you could state your name, organization, and a position on this topic.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lulu, you have united this state.
• This would make it into law for our state purposes that we would... for our state purposes, we would
• The states, uh, the gentleman before me indicated what the states are.
• Sometimes moving from states to states, and this has... ...states and this has occurred.
• LSA missed some numbers in the code. LSA missed some numbers in the code, but that was it. Okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Representative Don Mayhew, District 124.
• Andrew is now running in the state.
• states were not allowed to secede.
• I think your rights don't depend on your zip code.
• I think your rights don't depend on your zip code.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• take with regard to energy and preparedness and just trying to get our sites ready and get the state
• ><c> to</c><00:08:13.680><c> uh</c> the state the state positioned to uh the state the state positioned
• Joey Diesson and Energy Mississippi were the principal folks that brought AWS to the state, and we came
• </c> in the state. in the state.
• Um, state.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I don't know if many states do that, but I think some states do that.
• And it forces our state and local law enforcement to be working... ...and it forces our state and local
• , the State-Land-D-D-D-P, the State-Land-D-D-D-P, which the bill be made to-S-FFal-S-E-L District, District
• I am a fan of nuclear energy. It is cleaner energy technology.
• So far, 12 states have banned animal testing.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The policy portion of the bill establishes the state building renewable energy storage and electric vehicle
• The policy portion of the bill establishes the state building renewable energy storage and electric vehicle
• The policy portion of the bill establishes the state building renewable energy storage and electric vehicle
• The policy portion of the bill establishes the state building renewable energy storage and electric vehicle
• This infrastructure was modeled after an existing program for home care workers in the state of Washington

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at Florida State University.
• areas of the state.
• These are state facilities. These are state programs.
• You know, it takes 10 hours to go from one part of the state to the other corner of the state.
• state facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the United States. the United States.
• </c> state agency. state agency.
• ><c> States.
• </c> the United States. the United States.
• </c> from our state. from our state.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the State Fire Marshal.
• And the State Fire Marshal.
• then the State Fire Marshal.
• then the State Fire Marshal.
• or any other state.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Candy Spence Zell, District 32.
• I'm State Rep Joey Garrett, the west side of Albuquerque.
• Is that a state kind of label state? OK, that was my federal MRI. OK, thank you. Thank you.
• They looked at states that have soared on the high school exit exam. Here's why. Only 8 states.
• not just our state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tennessee, the Volunteer State, and Washington are the most recent states to adopt measures along these
• Tennessee, the Volunteer State, and Washington are the most recent states to adopt measures along these
• </c><00:38:33.880><c> chared</c> state Rhode Island all nine State chared state Rhode Island all nine
• > understand</c> stated addendum stating they understand stated addendum stating they understand the<
• codes apply to structures that are over State submerged lands.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Leti Azar with Penn State University.
• We also thank the State Economic Development Office for administering the MERP and the State Event Trust
• Events by providing state financial support.
• We have over 300,000 members in the state, which represents our largest state for members.
• Of course, the state...

Bills: HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo

Transcript Highlights:

• Affordability is a real problem in this state.
• California. state government of California.
• And I also just want to note that this isn't just about the state budget.
• No, the tax code should move to where we actually are.
• Welcome to the California State Senate.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then honored astronaut Captain Victor J. Glover Jr. for his achievements as a Navy officer, NASA astronaut, and California native. Senators Weber Pearson and Rubio highlighted his historic space missions and his role as an inspiration for students, especially in STEM, before the chamber took a photo with Glover and his family. The body then took up SCR 183 on Juneteenth. Senator Weber Pearson presented the resolution as a commemoration of emancipation and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Senators Padilla, Smallwood-Cuevas, Valladares, and Becker spoke in support from the perspectives of the Latino, LGBTQ, Women’s, Hispanic, and Jewish caucuses, emphasizing historical memory, faith, and the need to continue fighting discrimination. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate next considered budget trailer bills SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. SB 110 made technical budget amendments and passed 29-10. SB 122 expanded sales tax to electronically delivered prewritten software, extended and limited business tax credits, adjusted LLC minimum taxes, and included other revenue changes; supporters said it helped balance the budget and protect services, while opponents argued it would raise costs for businesses, hospitals, and families. It passed 27-9. SB 125 created a federally compliant managed care organization tax to support Medi-Cal and avoid deeper cuts; supporters said it was necessary after federal changes eliminated the prior tax, while opponents warned premiums could rise. It also passed 27-9. The chamber also adopted SR 114 designating June 15-21, 2026 as AVID Week, and SJR 14 urging a Congressional Gold Medal for World War II Army and Navy nurses, both by unanimous roll call. SCR 187 recognizing Father’s Day in California also passed unanimously. The Senate then approved a large consent calendar and closed with remarks about Juneteenth and the next session scheduled for June 22, 2026.