Transcript Highlights:

• There are real impacts from these hostile federal actions.
• ZEV fueling costs have a direct impact on the total cost of ownership.
• ZEV fueling costs have a direct impact on the total cost of ownership.
• , impact consumer confidence.
• The CEC's analysis of AB 2127 report shows that convenient routes...

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have not collected data as to how Cal Grant impacts that.
• I think we are concerned about impacts to our students, so in the most recent analysis out of the California
• Year or the impact of the proposal for 2025-26. Thank you.
• Beyond its direct impact. impact, the state's investment galvanizes others, inspiring additional philanthropic
• Students, families, and institutions could see impacts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I call attention to page three of the committee analysis, which talks about the fiscal impact
• , and it quoted the analysis from the Senate Appropriations Committee analysis.
• I’ll just note that what we’re doing... ...Appropriations Committee analysis.
• So I know you cite fiscal impacts, but I’m not talking about... ...for a number of years.
• Yes, subpage five of the analysis.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills after a delay while the Senate was in budget deliberations. The committee first approved the consent item, SB 895, on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Communications and Conveyance. The main policy discussion centered on SB 1299, which would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after prior regulations were struck on procedural grounds. Supporters said the bill would protect public safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems; opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and impacts on rural areas. The bill was approved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Committee on Labor and Employment, with Assembly Members Hadwick and DeMaio voting no. The committee then heard SB 1153 on wildfire preparedness and public water systems. The author and supporters from water agencies argued the bill would require urban retail water suppliers to include wildfire response procedures in emergency plans, clarify that water systems are not designed to suppress large wildfires, and reduce litigation costs passed on to ratepayers. Several water districts, fire-related organizations, and business groups testified in support. Members discussed transparency, backup power for pumps, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure about generator capacity; the author said he would continue working on the issue. The bill passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. Finally, the committee considered SB 828, prompted by the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion. The bill would tighten fireworks licensing and storage rules by requiring disclosure of storage locations, proof of local permits, and confirmation that licensees are not federally disqualified. Support came from local government and environmental health representatives, while one pyrotechnic operator opposed unless amended, arguing the permit-verification requirements could not be met for hobby rocketry and some jurisdictions lack a permit process. Members and the author discussed possible clarifications for model rockets and other niche uses, and the author said he would continue working with the Fire Marshal and stakeholders. SB 828 passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is there a fiscal impact beyond, I heard you say, I think it's about 80,000, did you say, is there
• a fiscal impact on this bill as it exists?
• No, there is no fiscal impact on this bill. Follow-up. Who provides the grant?
• to chill discussions about overall business practices or other considerations that may have fiscal impact
• This one is just to make sure that those who are giving advice are using financial analysis to do so

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial recognitions for several student groups and community visitors, including Carl Albert High School’s boys and girls swim teams, the Lady Titans basketball team, and the Choctaw High School speech and debate team. Senators and coaches highlighted the teams’ state championships, academic achievements, and perseverance, and the chamber also welcomed visiting groups from Aline, Owasso, and Tulsa County. After the presentations, the Senate returned to general order and took up a series of House bills. Among the measures considered, House Bill 3720 expanded the Local Food Freedom Act by raising the gross annual sales threshold for local food establishments from under $75,000 to $250,000; it passed 39-4. House Bill 3849 updated the Oklahoma mentoring children of incarcerated parents program and passed 42-1. House Bill 3882 created a revolving fund for industrial and lake access improvement projects and passed 33-9, then also passed the emergency clause 39-4. House Bill 3919 reduced county free fair association boards from nine members to five to address quorum problems and passed 45-0. House Bill 3941 codified a pay raise for a court secretary and passed 45-0, including its emergency clause. House Bill 4118 updated the family caregiver tax credit and passed 44-1. House Bill 4141 removed the sunset on the statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator position and passed 45-0. The chamber also debated several policy bills more extensively. House Bill 4268 created a growth-based teacher compensation program using Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Funds and restored a $5,000 stipend for national board-certified teachers; it passed 45-0 and its emergency clause also passed 45-0. House Bill 4342 allowed prior instances of domestic violence or abuse to be admitted as propensity evidence in court, with supporters saying it would help interrupt the cycle of abuse and opponents raising due process concerns; it passed after debate. House Bill 4428 required public pension plans to base proxy voting decisions solely on financial considerations, and House Bill 4429 required proxy advisors to disclose when recommendations were not based on financial analysis; both passed after debate, 35-8 and 37-7 respectively. Two Rule 7-9 motions to pull House Bills 4422 and 4423 from committee and place them on general order failed by recorded vote. The Senate then announced Denim Day for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, noted a few final reminders, and adjourned until April 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The analysis shows that TK has a particularly positive impact on the English language skills of dual
• And so it's impactful in these two communities in particular.
• And so it's impactful in these two communities in particular.
• You said there's an analysis that was done that is done by I-Bank.
• These impacts are not reflected in the current formula.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• All that tested the conditions, and we had to incorporate further analysis into it.
• We've also conducted our own stack analysis, a deterministic analysis, which also verifies that we do
• So that's what you're seeing: about a gig of climate change impacts coming in.
• But that's currently unclear; the impact of that is unclear.
• And we'll be doing this analysis every year.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• They impact, frankly, millions of Floridians every single day.
• entire time in that regulatory silo, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of shaping large-scale, impactful
• And as we look at those programs, we then compare them to rate impact. So what is the rate impact?
• I'm aware of it, of course, and read some analysis.
• When you're looking at it, With your bill, I'm aware of it, of course, and read some analysis.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, most recently, we provided an in-depth analysis of the administrative costs for the PIP and SEIB
• Would you tell me when you all did the analysis regarding that issue you mentioned?
• That methodology actually won a national award because we went to such depth in our analysis.
• So, I mean, I can definitely dig in and show you and provide you with more information in our analysis
• I don't think anything has ever impacted me in this way as all the bills you all have ever...

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• Our analysis indicates otherwise.
• This number is impacted by attrition and new demand.
• Have you done any initial analysis on that? Are we seeing any impacts to that?
• Have you done any initial analysis on that? Are we seen any impacts to that?
• Are we That and are we seeing any impacts to that?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last question with the FIR, and I know it's a minor fiscal impact.
• "In some states, the analysis of bills is published online, the internal, whether it be committee analysis
• , majority analysis, minority analysis, and often it lists everybody who testified in favor of a bill
• You know, sometimes a bill would have a negative impact on a particular industry or group of people,
• And of course, in your analysis, you'll find that this committee is bipartisan.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the committee's analysis points out, the fiscal impact of this bill should be minimal.
• I'm an impacted family member. My name is Jim Showman.
• I'm an impacted family member, working with Silicon Valley Debug.
• Hi, I'm Regina Cardenas, an impacted family member. My dad was killed in 2004.
• Hi, my name is Rosie Chavez, and I'm also a family member impacted.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 9, 2025, with a large regular-order agenda and a consent calendar. The committee first approved a set of unanimous consent bills, then heard and acted on several measures, generally with authors describing them as having minor or absorbable fiscal effects. Bills discussed included AB 439 on Coastal Act streamlining, AB 322 on school-based health and mental health reimbursement participation, AB 679 on state park land acquisition exemptions, AB 482 updating the California Table Grape Commission law, AB 681 increasing the Dream Loan Program cap, AB 40 clarifying emergency services include reproductive health care, AB 454 making the California Migratory Bird Protection Act permanent, AB 572 creating protections for families of people killed or seriously injured by peace officers, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams to avoid extra regulation for certain water operators. Testimony was largely in support of the bills. Supporters included representatives from the University of California, the California Table Grape Commission, Audubon California, Sempervirens Fund, emergency physicians, health equity groups, water districts, and several impacted family members and advocacy organizations on AB 572. AB 572 drew especially emotional testimony from family members describing police-involved deaths and the need for transparency and protection from coercive questioning. No organized opposition was raised on most of the bills heard in committee, though AB 439 drew no-votes from some Republicans, and AB 572 and other measures were framed as low-cost or cost-neutral. The committee reported the bills out on roll calls after motions and seconds, with several measures passing on B-roll calls and AB 482 passing on an A-roll call. After the hearing on presented bills, the committee also approved the suspense calendar and accepted brief public comment on bills not heard that day, including opposition to AB 339 and support for AB 335. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic impact back... ...your property.
• It would impact 1,502 jobs and have an impact of $6.6 million to the local economy.
• That's where a lot of that additional impact is coming from. Impact is coming from.
• Those are what we call indirect impacts for economic impact analysis.
• And so there wouldn't be that impact. That is correct.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas if you took the 45% rate, what would the negative impact be?
• <00:26:44.919> i I disagree with their expert analysis i I disagree with their expert analysis
• <01:14:35.159> of sheet to include the HHR the impact of sheet to include the HHR the impact
• He said the analysis looked at two things: the governor's budget and the analysis of the House's HB 115
• <01:31:33.080> of with just like Statewide analysis of with just like Statewide analysis of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Representative Sweeney present and defend the budget amendment legalizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) and setting a 30% tax rate, with 65% of the tax going to the state and 35% to charities. He argued the lower rate was needed to encourage operators of historic horse racing (HHR) machines to convert to VLTs, saying the higher 45% rate would discourage adoption. He walked through revenue projections for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, estimating significant increases in state and charity revenue as machines transition over time, and said the amendment was designed to expand charitable gaming revenue overall. Several members questioned the assumptions behind his projections and the basis for his analysis, including why his independent research differed from the governor’s and Lottery Commission’s estimates. Sweeney said his figures were based on research into other states and conversations over many years, and he maintained that a 45% tax would likely result in no VLT adoption. Members also debated whether the transition costs for operators would be quickly recouped and whether the state’s share should be larger. One member emphasized that the committee was effectively choosing between a lower operator share and a higher state share, while Sweeney argued the 30% structure would produce revenue for everyone. The committee then moved to other revenue items on the tracking sheet. It voted 7-0 to accept the Lottery Commission’s revised base revenue estimates. Members also discussed an amendment to repeal the local option requirement for Kino games, which would expand Kino availability and was estimated to generate additional lottery profit in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. That amendment drew opposition from members who said local control was an important part of the original Kino policy and that removing it would override municipal decisions. The committee also noted that the VLT/HHR revenue item had already been adopted and was being revisited only to confirm the associated revenue estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both sections show the fiscal impact to the general fund.
• Uh while the focus of a fiscal impact.
• Those have a fiscal impact of one time in fiscal 26 and 27 of $122,000 and an ongoing fiscal impact of
• impact the general fund. impact the general fund.
• what happened and and the other analysis what happened and and the other analysis is<00:32:07.360

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency analysis and many others have warned about unconstitutionality.
• The financial impact to the state with loss of many of these businesses, the cost of litigation, ...impact
• Yeah, that's not a lot of impact to employ people and train us.
• Looking at the DPS analysis, it indicates a need.
• So it doesn't sound like there's been any real analysis on the economic impact to the FFLs, which are

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• Our concerns with the bill are primarily with the policy, but we believe they will have an impact on
• AB 1673 will help counties manage wildlife better while supporting communities most impacted by wildlife
• Children with autism across California are facing real challenges accessing applied behavior analysis
• And this does not impact all families equally.
• Appreciate the committee's analysis and work reflected in AB 1660.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 8, 2026, with a quorum established and 59 bills listed for consideration. The committee first approved two consent calendars: several bills were sent to the Assembly floor on a due-pass basis, and a smaller set was approved due-pass but not eligible for the floor consent calendar. The proposed suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual debate on those measures. The committee heard several bills in regular order. AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, would clean up and clarify the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030; it drew no opposition and was approved. AB 2011 would codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement authority, while health plans opposed it as premature given federal uncertainty and possible premium impacts; the bill was placed on the B roll call. AB 1673 would give county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain revenues for wildlife conflict prevention, and it advanced on an A roll call. AB 2233 would allow unused authorized ABA therapy hours for children with autism to be made up within the authorization period; supporters emphasized access and continuity of care, while insurers warned of higher costs and reduced utilization safeguards; it advanced on an A roll call. AB 1660, as amended, would give courts more flexibility in cases involving financial institutions and public guardians/conservators, with supporters saying it could save counties time and money; it was approved due-pass as amended. During general public comment, speakers voiced support for AB 2081 and AB 1667, and opposition to AB 1777. After public comment and final vote recording for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we expected to have a small impact there.
• But do you think it's going to impact us on our income for the state?
• It might have an impact on inflation, right? Because that's going to increase.
• So we're going to see that in the long term make an impact.
• And again, they said they'd do that every year, an analysis on it.

Summary: The council opened with a prayer, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received the February 2026 Monthly Revenue Report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year to date, and said the updated forecast now shows a larger expected surplus. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fee fluctuations, inflation, and economic development incentives; Silva attributed several changes to timing, refunds, tax cuts, weather, and price volatility, and generally described the state’s revenue trend as positive. The Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Medicaid studies, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and other subcommittee reports were adopted. The Medicaid studies report drew extended discussion about DHS staffing and contract nursing costs at state hospitals and human development centers; DHS officials said they were working on a recruitment and retention plan, reported significant vacancies and turnover, and said the state was not at risk of overspending the contracts. Several members urged reducing reliance on contract labor and moving staff onto state payrolls. The Review Subcommittee report prompted questions about a Department of Public Safety aircraft maintenance item and a Department of Shared Administrative Services contract for Deloitte to implement performance and goals management software tied to the state’s new personnel system. After discussion, the aircraft maintenance item was held briefly and then withdrawn from the hold, while the shared services contract was explained as a one-time integration/configuration project for a system that will support employee evaluations and performance-based pay; the report and the separate contract vote were approved. The Personnel Subcommittee also heard testimony from Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald about reductions in force at the Division of Services for the Blind, which he attributed to funding shortfalls and fiscal mismanagement; members questioned the impact on blind and visually impaired clients, the status of board appointments, and whether federal funds could be at risk. The report was adopted with immediate consideration, and the meeting ended after filing the remaining APER report and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, if you look at these functions, revenue estimating conference, fiscal analysis on all tax bills
• Estimating conference, fiscal analysis on all tax bills filed, staff analysis to support that drafting
• The impacted areas dealt with thousands of insurance consumers.
• There's a lot of information and analysis that goes into arriving at any given number.
• I think we need to do some analysis on that.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can address that market, it makes a big impact versus direct air, which we think is an important
• Data analysis has begun, and the project team is starting to create a digital twin of the subsurface.
• The best means we have to answer that question is life cycle analysis.
• We know these barriers limit participation overall, but may especially impact underserved groups.
• Household hazardous waste programs are often among the first services impacted.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee’s interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), with presenters from industry, nonprofits, and state agencies describing Washington’s geologic potential, the role of basalt formations, and the difference between point-source capture, direct air capture, utilization, and permanent storage. Industry and project developers emphasized that Washington has major opportunities to reduce industrial emissions, create jobs, and support hard-to-electrify sectors, while state agencies explained current policy touchpoints in the Cap and Invest Program, emissions exemptions for permanently stored CO2, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Several presenters urged clearer statutory and regulatory pathways, including rules for pore space, subsurface rights, pipeline siting, and long-term liability; others cautioned that CCUS should be limited to real emissions reductions and not treated as a substitute for broader clean energy measures. Committee members asked about public comment opportunities, whether mineralized carbon would qualify for exemption under the Climate Commitment Act, the energy intensity of capture systems, aquifer protection, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Ecology said it is developing guidance through a public engagement process running through late June and that mineralized or otherwise permanently stored CO2 would likely qualify if it meets the 1,000-year permanence standard. DNR and outside experts also discussed trust lands, water rights, and the need for additional geophysical surveys and test wells. The panel did not take any votes or formal actions. The second half of the meeting turned to hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility. Ecology reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described how moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste are currently collected through county facilities and events. Ecology said the electronics program is its best model, while the mercury lamp program is currently in transition after the prior stewardship organization exited and a new organization is seeking approval. Ecology recommended that future EPR programs have clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong enforcement authority. Local government witnesses from King County and Douglas County described rising costs, access barriers in rural areas, and the need for stable funding and flexible local delivery models. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and argued that EPR could reduce costs for ratepayers and improve equity. Douglas County stressed that rural residents are willing to participate when services are available, but travel distance and operating costs make access difficult. An industry representative supported narrowly scoped stewardship programs like PaintCare but warned that broad household hazardous waste EPR systems can become difficult to administer and may require legislative revisions if responsibilities are not clearly defined. No votes were taken on the hazardous waste topic either.

Transcript Highlights:

• that looks at the The bill will now have a five-year sunset, as well as a study that looks at the impacts
• While the direct travel demand impacts of the events are unclear, the opportunity to showcase the regions
• While the direct travel demand impacts of the events are unclear, the opportunity to showcase the regions
• , asked the CHP to do an analysis of the impact of that later closing hour.
• I will be supporting your bill today with the inclusion of the amendments detailed in the analysis and

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.