Transcript Highlights:

• with various bills that we pay and we do it directly with that association?
• Districts do not have to participate in it.
• Then the member elects whether or not they want to pay for their members...
• So how is this not doing everything?
• So the concept is not a new concept. This is something we routinely do and include in bills.

Committee: House Legislative Review

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not doing the global war on terror anymore.
• We do not have a request this year. We have a flat budget.
• I do not believe so. I think they pushed as much as we could push.
• How do you recognize you, Mr. Chair? Not directly policy. Or excuse me, fiscal.
• We actually do not receive any federal funding.

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:49.919><c> toward</c> we do not push the patient toward we do not push the patient toward
• They do pay a lot of attention in making sure that we're not pushing people toward opioids instead of
• So we would not be able to do that.
• have the volume did not pay as much in a tax.
• That is does not pay for their services.

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do that, not through random searches.
• not really doing anything for policy.
• And I do not understand why...
• That's the most I pay. I'm actually paying the most to not insure myself.
• We are not even close to doing what we should be doing.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar. The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement. A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do not take away those privileges.
• than those that do not.
• Idaho does not do that. We do not do that. We have very low, if any, barriers to entry.
• I did not do that.
• I did not do that.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not see you in opposition to that legislation.
• And future trends for rates do not look good.
• Publicly owned utilities do not pay the same taxes. They do not pay shareholders.
• They do not pay the same management salaries.
• They're not, they're, what she's stating is, is they're not paying into the fund.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't pay the property tax and not pay the assessment.
• </c> property tax and not pay the assessment. property tax and not pay the assessment.
• You can't pay the property tax and not pay the assessment.
• not going to be able to pay the interest as well.
• Well, we're not really doing &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• We usually do not allow amendments that have not been filed within 24 hours, but that's more for staff
• I am not against what the representative is trying to do.
• And they like, oh my God, I don't want to not be able to pay for volleyball nets. So they do it.
• based on fear that they will lose future authority if they do not act immediately.
• based on fear that they will lose future authority if they do not act immediately.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 26 and first reported favorably HB 287, which renews the Louisiana Tax Commission’s authority to levy certain fees used to fund its operations. The author and Tax Commission representatives said the fee supports the commission’s appeals and assessment work and is not a new charge. The committee then adopted a technical amendment and reported HB 553 favorably as amended; that bill expands the Assessor Certification Program Committee from 5 to 11 members and adjusts education and recertification requirements for assessors. The committee then took up HB 412, a constitutional amendment on property assessment and reappraisal. After an amendment in concept was adopted to remove the bill’s proposed 30-year homestead exemption, members questioned the remaining provisions, which would tie annual assessment growth to CPI and move the reassessment cycle from four years to five. The author, assessors, and local government representatives debated whether the proposal would create predictable tax growth or instead leave many properties assessed below market value and shift burdens to businesses and local services. The author ultimately voluntarily deferred HB 412 and its companion HB 340 for further work. Members next heard HB 514 and HB 961, both senior-property-tax measures, but both were voluntarily deferred after brief discussion and technical amendments. HB 514 would have created an optional additional homestead exemption for certain homeowners age 65 and older, phased in over time and tied to income and a surviving-spouse provision; HB 961 would have extended related eligibility to certain trusts. The committee also deferred HB 515, 543, and 540 to future meetings. Finally, the committee favorably reported HB 521 and HB 570, both dealing with millage and reassessment rules. Supporters, including local government and industry groups, argued the bills would give taxing authorities more flexibility to avoid being forced to levy the maximum millage simply to preserve future authority. Assessors and local officials explained current reassessment and roll-forward rules, while the author said the bills would reduce pressure to overtax residents and businesses. HB 521 was reported favorably, and HB 570 was reported favorably as amended after adoption of a six-part amendment set, mostly technical changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not know if they are going to do that.
• members do not know about it.
• If we do not pass this bill, then they will have to amend their returns and they will have to pay more
• This budget does not do that.
• So that a million tax filers do not have to amend their returns and pay more to the state.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Banks were paying the IOTA program 100 basis points, not 25 basis points.
• 200 basis points. 7.75%, banks were paying 200 basis points, not 25 basis points.
• It did not come to fruition. So we have attempted that before we came here to do this.
• So it's not like they have a million dollars. They do not. There's nobody in that vehicle.
• Showing none, I do not see any appearance forms. Senators, we are in debate on the bill as amended.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we do not know where that will lead us.
• Chair, you do not have an office in Raton? No, we do not.
• And we didn't make one more commitment to you where I'm only 40... 48 states that do not do a single
• And so if you're going to pay me $750,000 to do that, I'll quit the legislature and go do a comp study
• So if we need to do an in-pay band adjustment, if we have to do a reclassification, if we need to bring

Transcript Highlights:

• While subscribers do not need a Social Security number to apply to the program, the existing application
• not have access to it or because it's unsafe to do so.
• We do not have access to consistent data about what Californians are actually receiving or paying, but
• We do not have access to consistent data about what Californians are actually receiving or paying, but
• Yes, please do.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, do you have a slide or a line item on how much we are paying for illegal aliens to be housed?
• Chair hey do you have a slide or a line item on how much we are paying for illegal aliens Do you have
• The main point in me bringing that up is it's not a part of their base pay.
• He'll do this better than me. No, not that. I want the 26 budget. There you go.
• He's, he'll do this better than me. No, not that. I want the 26 budget. There you go.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we not be doing more of this? Yes, we should be doing more of that.
• I do not have those statistics.
• I do not have those statistics. I would encourage you to ask state. I do not have those statistics.
• I do not have eyes on those losses.
• McFarland, please do not apologize. I did not realize I needed normally.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to do that, I wouldn't think.
• The one thing that we're not doing is we're not implementing a monthly premium or anything along those
• the maximum out-of-pocket, which they do not in the previous plan.
• Because when you look at not having to pay those $30...
• Because when you look at not having to pay those $30 co-pays and you get some services included 100%,

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider four policy bills and discussed a possible later return to handle DOCR amendments and budget work. They first took up HB 1327, funding for the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund, and adopted an amendment striking language that would have capped up to $10 million for agricultural infrastructure grants to political subdivisions. The bill was then passed as amended on a 22-0 vote, with Rep. Belts assigned as carrier. Next, the committee considered SB 2256, the Research Technology Park grant. Rep. Stemen offered an amendment reducing the appropriation amounts from the original figures to $10 million and $5 million levels, citing available funding; the amendment passed 19-3. The bill then passed as amended 22-0, and Rep. Stemen agreed to carry it. The committee then debated SB 2093, which combined a retired peace officers/surviving spouses benefit with an added income tax reduction. Rep. Munson moved to remove the income tax portion, and the committee agreed 17-4. The remaining peace officer benefit portion was then passed as amended 21-0, with Rep. Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered HB 2160, changing the state health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status. Members discussed cost shifting, employee retention, out-of-pocket exposure, and the updated fiscal note; the committee adopted an amendment updating the appropriation figures to match the current PERS/Deloitte analysis, then passed the bill as amended 15-7-1, with Rep. Worry originally the carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love merit pay. I love all of that. But I do have a question.
• Yeah, so I do not remember the accuracy off the top of my...
• Salaries include not only base salary, but also bonuses like merit pay and extra duty pay, which...
• Salaries include not only base salary, but also bonuses like merit pay and extra duty pay, which is pay
• Do we have data on what five states do not report having shortages?

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to do that.
• Because what we're trying to do is make sure that they're paying for their costs, their impact, and not
• not have to pay the impact fee do get a sort of a windfall because in that situation that I mentioned
• I'm not going to do it.
• I'm not going to do it. In closing, we continue to see many fees with Fees. I'm not going to do it.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other schools that do not.
• And what can they do? So, go ahead. We're never going to pay them. And what can they do?
• We're not obligated to do anything to bring him transactions.
• This has nothing to do with us and his student-athlete experience, and they did not do that.
• This has nothing to do with us and his student athlete experience, and they did not do that.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• when owners do not pay in a timely manner.
• It did not. Today, nearly every American pays it.
• Do you know who pays the most in our taxes?
• Do you know who pays the most in our taxes?
• I do not. Is that something staff can address?

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Newspapers do not verify compliance.
• Newspapers do not verify compliance.
• If you can't do it, you're just not going to try to attempt to do this. You're just not.
• We said we were not going to do that.
• Do not know of a paper? We have it in. It's...

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, mostly dealing with open meetings, public records, election administration, and local government notice requirements. Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Jenkins would authorize electronic voting under the Open Meetings Law and apply retroactively to validate prior electronic votes; after brief discussion and support from the Louisiana Municipal Association, it was reported favorably. House Bill 1052 by Rep. Spell would exempt certain child advocacy center and multidisciplinary team work product, forensic interviews, and related sensitive records from public records disclosure to protect child abuse investigations; testimony from child advocacy organizations emphasized the need to prevent misuse of records and preserve court-controlled access, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 289 by Sen. Abraham, concerning confidentiality of certain university records and negotiations, was amended to clarify protections for proprietary research, donor confidentiality, and limited confidentiality for industry negotiations, then reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 218 by Sen. Talbot, allowing alternative certification programs for election officials if approved by the State Board of Election Supervisors, and Senate Bill 220, a technical correction regarding the official journal of the state, were both reported favorably. Senate Bill 161 by Sen. Seaball, repealing a requirement that certain high-salary unclassified state employees register vehicles in Louisiana, was also reported favorably after questions about its scope and purpose. The committee then took up House Bill 1193 by Rep. Sawyer, which authorizes the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to use indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts for maintenance and emergency work. CPRA officials said the model would speed small repairs and pre-construction tasks, improve efficiency, and mirror a similar DOTD approach; an amendment narrowed the public-records language and excluded design-build contracting. Members raised concerns about public records transparency and inclusion of minority and small contractors, but the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 249 by Rep. Green, a constitutional amendment creating an independent compensation commission for elected officials and tying adjustments to CPI, drew extensive debate over removing the legislature from setting salaries, the appointment structure, and whether the state could afford automatic increases. After opposition from several members and a roll-call vote, the bill failed to be reported, 6 yeas to 9 nays. Because HB 249 failed, the companion enabling bill, House Bill 248, was deferred. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 997 by Rep. Edmondson, which would let parishes, municipalities, and school boards use their own websites as an alternative to newspaper publication for public notices. Supporters from the Police Jury Association argued the bill would reduce duplicative costs, preserve all existing notice requirements, and simply add a third option alongside newspaper publication and newspaper-hosted digital publication. An amendment narrowed the bill to parishes, municipalities, and school boards, removing other political subdivisions. Members questioned transparency, enforcement, record retention, and whether the change would undermine newspapers; supporters said courts would still enforce notice requirements and that local governments already maintain the records. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with no final action shown in the excerpt.