Transcript Highlights:

• The tox lab now only tests to the per se level. They don't do drug testing.
• Now only tests to the per se level. They don't do drug testing after the per se level.
• or drugs or— Whatever testing they did, whether it's a per se level or drugs or under a per se level.
• So every crash has a blood alcohol level, vehicular assault.
• I am aware that other countries have lower BAC levels.

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• State level mitigation strategies may be necessary. isolated incidents elsewhere, state-level mitigation
• You know, I think it’s important to level set where we are with the system right now.
• And I'll take that to the statewide level.
• And now on the county supervisor level, you've seen it all.
• Because when we provide it at that level, it's going to go a long, long ways.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, because we are tiered to the poverty level.
• We've expanded the eligibility level for SNAP up to 200% of poverty.
• That includes their profit level. So is that going to be renegotiated? Um, Mr.
• All right, so we've got all of these different types and levels of income levels.
• So I think, you know, does it have budgetary impacts?

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, we hold tuition levels that make attendance one of the best values anywhere.
• At the same time, we hold tuition levels that make attendance one of the body.
• At the same time, we hold tuition levels that make attendance one of the best values anywhere.
• I'd like to know specifically what is happening on a system-wide and a campus-wide level to identify
• I appreciate the level of specificity.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview hearing on the 2026-27 budget and policy issues for California’s three public higher education segments: the Community Colleges, CSU, and UC. Chair David Alvarez emphasized shared responsibility to expand access, right-size campuses to enrollment trends, improve transfer pathways, align programs with workforce needs, and measure success by completion, transfer, and job placement rather than participation alone. The chancellors and president each described their systems’ current enrollment trends, budget priorities, and efforts to collaborate more closely across segments. Chancellor Sonia Christian said community college enrollment has rebounded strongly and asked for 3% enrollment growth funding, more support for the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, and recovery-related workforce training in Los Angeles. She highlighted right-sizing efforts such as Peralta’s proposed consolidation into Oakland City College, and described partnerships with CSU, UC, employers, unions, and housing projects. Chancellor Mildred García said CSU is focusing on CSU Forward, enrollment growth, student success, facilities, and fiscal health monitoring, while reallocating enrollment and resources to higher-demand campuses. She cited intersegmental programs such as nursing pathways, 2+2 and 3-year degree programs, and AI curriculum work, and said the system is also addressing labor and compensation issues. President J.B. Milliken said UC is facing federal funding threats, investigations, and rising costs, but has reached record enrollment of more than 300,000 students, including over 200,000 California resident undergraduates. He supported continued compact funding, said UC is exploring more use of technology, experiential learning, and short-term credentials, and stressed the need to adapt while preserving UC’s research and medical mission. Members pressed all three leaders on common course numbering, transfer outcomes, enrollment reallocation, BSN capacity, deferred maintenance, and the role of the master plan; the leaders generally agreed more collaboration and flexibility are needed, and several committed to follow up with updated data and timelines. No formal votes were taken. Public comment followed, including support from the CSU employees union for the Governor’s budget and full funding of CSU obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, at the federal level, the guidelines are voluntary.
• At the state level, it is a statutory requirement.
• You really need to do it on the landscape level.
• At two, frankly, historic levels.
• That would bring us up to the current fiscal year level of 6 million.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• into the lieutenant level.
• They're at 79,500 for entry level. We're at 72,000 for entry level.
• That reflects actual spending levels in terms of the current fiscal year.
• The House 2 funding level would ensure these expenses are fully covered.
• How do you manage to even provide level services at that point?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• , into the lieutenant level.
• level.
• That reflects actual spending levels in terms of the current fiscal year.
• The House 2 funding level would ensure these expenses are fully covered.
• How do you manage even provide level services at that point?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• into the lieutenant level.
• level.
• That reflects actual spending levels in terms of the current fiscal year.
• The House 2 funding level would ensure these expenses are fully covered.
• How do you manage even provide level services at that point?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• this committee is about: transportation and funding. 28 years ago, North Texas policymakers at all levels
• All levels of government—cities, counties, the state, the MPO—are in partnership to anticipate the needs
• America, it doesn't get done without very high levels of government coordinating.
• The rates are adjusted to maintain those minimum speed levels.
• Texas is currently a donor state at the federal level.

Bills: HJR58 , HJR63 , HB263 , HB542 , HB905 , HB 1288 , HB1402 , HB2003 , HB2262 , HB2323 , HB2429 , HB2876 , HB3019 , HB263

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:44:22.560><c> discipline</c> subject to the budgetary discipline subject to the budgetary discipline
• </c> that's best handled at the local level that's best handled at the local level allowing<04:02:00.880
• level, school level, except for essential employees.
• Instead, it seeks to override that process with state-level bureaucracy.
• Instead, it seeks to override that process with state-level bureaucracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• E group homes level E.
• So, is this issue happening on the federal level where you see the discrimination happening? No.
• From the emails and texts, it would appear this is happening on several levels.
• I understand that you need some level of safety and some level of protections.
• President, would you agree that for budgetary purposes, if the district decided to move to?

Bills: SB1521 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1307 , SB1338 , SB1390 , SB1451 , SB1463 , SB1558 , SB1567 , SB1595 , SB1621 , SB1734 , SB1749 , SB1827 , SB1833 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB63 , SB2063 , SB2180 , SB1198 , SB80

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, we hold tuition levels that make attendance one of the best values anywhere.
• I'd like to know specific... ...specifically what is happening on a system-wide and a campus-wide level
• And finally, it is critical that you provide clear budgetary and statutory direction to the CSU to more
• Appreciate the level of specificity.
• Appreciate the level of specificity.

Transcript Highlights:

• and refer to income levels and on and on.
• But when we zoom out and look at these choice programs at state levels and on national levels, to Robert's
• He was at least two to three years behind grade level.
• He was reading on a DRA level of a 20, which is beginning of second grade, working on a math level at
• He was reading on a DRA level of a 20, which is beginning of second grade, working on a math level at

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to ask to please bring us back up to $600,000 so that we could be level funded for next
• With an impossible $4.25 million level service increase for next year's budget, our only option is to
• Without movement, people cannot access the next level of care or housing.
• Because that bed remains occupied, someone cannot step down from a higher level of care.
• We’re at crisis level, but we need to stop it before it gets there. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And they were so thankful when the state stepped forward and just leveled the playing field.
• And they were so thankful when the state stepped forward and just leveled the playing field.
• How do these laws conflict on the local level when they have legislation?
• Turning these things on is beyond my skill level. Thank you, represent. Thank you, Chairman.
• Assigned at a level of government that can actually carry it.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:31:54.720><c> but</c> something that isn't exactly level, but something that isn't exactly level
• </c> thing to note is it has somewhat leveled thing to note is it has somewhat leveled out<00:36:34.320
• </c> the 6% level. the 6% level.
• </c> of the the efforts at the federal level of the the efforts at the federal level to<01:15:23.679>
• There are seen at the federal level.

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I think it's important for us to look at this from the legal standpoint, not necessarily the budgetary
• The budgetary standpoint might influence what the fiscal note says, but legally those monies cancel and
• averages or estimates on what those draws might be, especially if they're kept at a million-dollar level

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, as we know, the state is facing—we're not quite at crisis levels, but we need more baseload
• First-mover, first-of-a-kind development requires partnerships between willing companies and all levels
• We have heard that some of these technologies will be able to recycle some of the high-level waste back
• Every level of production all the way through what happens at the end, it produces this waste that we
• Because nuclear projects have a history of budgetary and timeline overruns.

Bills: HB 11 , HB14 , HB132 , HB1584 , HB1606 , HB5061 , HB 1041 , HB2286 , HB132

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a bill that deals with budgetary obligations of the state.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met to consider a long agenda of appropriations, retirement COLAs, revolving funds, and limits bills. Early actions included Senate Bill 1144 and Senate Bill 1145, which provided cost-of-living adjustments for retired teachers and OPRS retirees, respectively, and Senate Bill 1146, 1147, 1148, and 1149, which extended similar retirement benefit increases or a one-time stipend for law enforcement, firefighters, judges, and certain retired police and firefighters. The committee also advanced bills funding the Pardon and Parole Board, OSBI cybercrimes and fraud work, juvenile medication, and several agency limits bills for Health Care Authority, Health Department, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and DHS. Members also heard and passed a series of education, public safety, and economic development measures, including funding for school security at the School for Science and Math and the Schools for the Blind and Deaf, support for National Board certified teachers, and appropriations for the Rural Health Transformation Program, the Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Task Force One, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forensic center. Several bills created or expanded revolving funds and financing tools, including military readiness and aviation funds, a taxpayer endowment trust fund, water infrastructure loan and REAP-related measures, and a revised non-coal mining fee structure. The committee also approved a bill increasing court reporter pay and another reducing employer contributions to the retirement system after it reached over 100% funding. There was notable discussion on a $5 million film-related pilot program for sitcom production, with questions about the amount and certification requirements, and on a rural economic development package that included money for the state fairgrounds and a university energy plant, which drew objections over whether those projects fit the intended purpose of rural prep funds. Other debated items included a bill directing funds to the Oklahoma Dream Act/Trump accounts, a bill rejecting judicial pay increases recommended by the Board of Judicial Compensation, and a proposal to move $200 million from the stabilization fund into a new Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund. Most measures were reported out with due pass votes, though several drew dissenting votes, including the film bill, the fairgrounds/economic development bill, the water projects bill, and the trust fund and judicial pay measures. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we need the LFC to do all it can with the budget it has, I don't want to tie up unnecessarily budgetary

Committee: Senate Senate Finance