Transcript Highlights:

• permits being issued for Kern County, but it takes a while to get things in process, get those permits
• With that, I respectfully ask for us to stick to the item on the agenda and for everyone to vote aye
• This is one of the consequences of policies that shut down oil capacity in California to both drill for
• This is one of the consequences of policies that shut down oil capacity in California to both drill for
• I blamed my mother for so many years for causing our family to break and for me to go into foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to skip over that one for now.
• to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
• permits being issued for Kern County, but it takes a while to get things in process, get those permits
• I want to thank my colleague from Bakersfield for standing up for farmers and respectfully ask for your
• I blamed my mother for so many years of causing our family to break and for me to go into foster care

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA’s 175th anniversary through floor remarks highlighting its long history of community service, youth programs, child care, and civic engagement. The body then moved through routine messages and appointments, confirming three gubernatorial appointments: former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. On third reading, senators debated and adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposal off California and calls for California to be removed from the plan and for stronger environmental review and public participation. Supporters emphasized coastal protection and climate goals, while opponents argued the state faces energy supply and affordability problems and needs more domestic production. The resolution passed by roll call. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, urging full release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99, declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day and recognizing the state’s agricultural production, farmworkers, and climate-smart practices. The final major item was Senate Resolution 100, designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, support survivors, and expand prevention and mandated reporter training. The author and supporters spoke about the prevalence of abuse, the importance of reporting, and survivor support; the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Senate then lifted the calls and confirmed the earlier appointments, adopted the consent calendar, announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, and adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Monday, April 27, 2026, with Denim Day observed that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair asked for a motion to suspend the rules to allow the opponents to return to the table to testify
• A yes vote is for the bill to be reported favorably. A no vote is for the bill to stay here.
• to district court and have to file a petition for damages and pay $800 or $700 for a petition for damages
• And I just want to be able to provide for my family.
• permits to transfer liquor for sale to another manufacturing distiller located in the state who holds

Bills: HCR41 , HB11 , HB227 , HB243 , HB278 , HB335 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB492 , HB623 , HB641 , HB660 , HB708 , HB719 , HB940 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1069 , HB1077

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: coupons, rebates, alcohol regulation, malt beverages, Louisiana Department of Revenue, remembrance, Charlie Kirk, state recognition, October 14, memorial day, court filings, electronic filing, letter size paper, privacy, legal procedure, recusal, district attorney, substitute attorney, appointment process, legal proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there is a requirement for them to certify or to do the covenant that it would be used for low-income
• for gas to be able to get across.
• It's a game changer for people when they get to have a home and close that front door and go to bed for
• no really hard incentive for people to say, well, I'll build this in order for me to have something
• transition to, but for seniors who want to age in place and for others who want to start a family and

Bills: SB6069 , SB6167 , SB6201 , SB6205 , SB6001 , SB6026 , SB6054 , SGA9278 , SGA9279

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption, urban growth area, UGA, planning, development regulations, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for inviting me to present today.
• What's it take to get a permit?
• I just wondered if they have to go out for it, if I was going to ask For a right-of-way, even a temporary
• Is done to submit to FEMA for the project to be reimbursed.
• If you want to ask for any, do you want to ask, Senator, for... yeah, sorry, I just...

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2427 by Canales relating to the route to. of an issuance of a permit for the movement of an oversized
• HB 2428 by canals drilling to certain reimbursements and discounts allowed for the collection and repayment
• Huffner relating to the exception of the application for the offense of the deadly contact for certain
• grant applications for the Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, HB2565 by Isaac, relating to
• to issue permits for the land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• go forward, the provision doesn't apply to credits accrued before a certain date for avoiding applicability
• an AMA to only be diverted to a permitted facility owned by CEWCD or a permitted groundwater savings
• So for now, I’m going to vote no.”
• I'm happy to stand for questions.
• Well, we appreciate the addition of the GRD to the list of entities that would be permitted for La Paz

Bills: HB2099 , HB2263 , HB2264 , HB2330 , HB2341 , HB2492 , HB2757 , HB2782 , HB2843 , HB2889 , HB2912 , HB2915 , HB2918 , HB4025 , HB4100 , HCR2020 , HCR2057

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• where they can for us to succeed here.
• to thank the Legislature for your leadership.
• I want to thank you for allowing me to speak today.
• So I think having the opportunity to be able to have that information for everybody to consume would
• Next, we'll move to Mr. Dunn. I'd like to offer the opportunity for Ms.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and planning considerations associated with refinery closures. In opening remarks, the chair framed refinery shutdowns as a complex part of California’s decarbonization transition and said the committee would focus on environmental and land-use issues, while Vice Chair Gunda argued closures reflect years of policy-driven disinvestment and warned that supply disruptions and higher prices could harm working families. State agency witnesses from the Energy Commission, CARB, and the Water Boards described the state as being in a “mid-transition,” with declining gasoline demand, growing zero-emission vehicle adoption, and increasing conversion of some refinery assets to renewable fuels, but also with abrupt capacity losses that can force greater reliance on imports and storage. They emphasized the need for proactive planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies, and noted that refinery closures can stress pipelines, terminals, and other linked infrastructure, with potential liabilities falling to the state if those assets are not financially supported. The Water Boards explained their cleanup authorities and tools for refinery decommissioning, including investigation, monitoring, remediation, and enforcement under the Water Code, and said site-specific cleanup plans depend on contamination, groundwater conditions, and future land use. They noted that decommissioning can reveal previously inaccessible areas and require additional sampling or wells, and that cleanup costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Committee members pressed the witnesses on whether the state has enough information to plan for land transitions, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more standardized procedures or financial assurances are needed. The witnesses generally said existing tools are useful but that more transparency and better data sharing would help communities and policymakers understand liabilities and long-term redevelopment opportunities. Members also questioned the relationship between California policy, refinery closures, imports, and global emissions. CARB said its programs apply to transportation fuel suppliers whether fuel is refined in-state or imported, and that its climate and air-quality rules are designed to reduce emissions and avoid leakage. Some senators argued that California’s policies have accelerated closures and that demand has not fallen fast enough to offset lost refining capacity, while agency witnesses responded that closures are also driven by global market forces, aging infrastructure, crude quality, and changing fuel demand. The committee then heard from outside experts, including a Notre Dame professor who said closure costs are often underestimated and that stronger financial assurance requirements can shift company behavior, a Stanford/SLAC researcher who outlined five drivers of refinery closures, and an environmental attorney who discussed community impacts and lessons from the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• With these projects and federal partners, the district has obtained permits for the water rights to the
• They're trying to get me to agree to make it mandatory for the CCN holder who was encumbered and never
• groundwater availability for a proposed development to the application if the involved development will
• to be attached to the PLAAD application, but did not provide instruction to counties.
• TCEQ guidelines explicitly require certification to be attached to a plan or permit application unless

Bills: SB863 , SB1190 , SB1261 , SB1413 , SB1624 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1855 , SB1967 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1623

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard stories of National Guard members specifically driving from Flagstaff to Phoenix for drill
• weekends, or Tucson to Phoenix, or... ...Flagstaff to Phoenix for drill weekends, or Tucson to Phoenix
• The provision for Illinois was if you traveled over 90 miles to get to your drill location, then they
• grow, and they can actually go to drill and afford to do it.
• You can use data for anything that you want to use it for.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state funds for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs training-center needs, including Wi-Fi for reserve units at joint facilities, a reimbursement program for service members using personal computers, lodging and kind for drill weekends, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for each purpose, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which added national-security restrictions on networking equipment, removed the reimbursement and lodging provisions from the underlying bill, and adjusted the funding language, passed. The sponsor and several military witnesses testified that reserve and Guard members at places like Buckeye lack Wi-Fi, adequate HVAC, and lodging, forcing soldiers to use public libraries, personal devices, or sleep in cars or on armory floors. After debate over whether the state should fund needs tied to federal reserve units and how the money would be sourced, the committee recommended HB 2348 as amended by a 4-3 vote. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 registered voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and reflect voter preference, noting the change from an earlier 1,000-voter cap to 2,500 after feedback from county officials. County and advocacy witnesses opposed the resolution, arguing that vote centers provide flexibility, are often more cost-effective, and are necessary in rural counties and large counties like Maricopa; they also said precinct voting would require many more locations, staff, and equipment, and could force some counties into central-count tabulation. Supporters argued precinct voting improves voter confidence and access. The committee approved HCR 2016 for the ballot by a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military, National Guard, and reserve members and to broaden acceptable identification. Arizona State Parks testified in a neutral position, saying the agency is self-funded through user fees and already offers discounts to active duty, veterans, and disabled veterans, but warned that expanding free admission could affect park revenue and rural economies. The bill discussion ended with the amendment adopted and the measure moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• or 35 to 45 for the the daily and 25 to or 35 to 45 for the annual<00:29:57.520><c> pass.
• for for businesses who might want to for for businesses who might want to locate<00:54:03.359><c> in
• of the process that has to go through when applying for permits?
• has to go through when applying for permits?
• for us to do.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to present to this committee.
• to see what they're paying for.
• And if we have problems getting permits for our resources or permits for our plants and we have to haul
• Bossart Davis was speaking to: it's taking longer and longer to get site permits for aggregate extraction
• So thank you so much for for In February, we invited him to come as part of a panel to talk about some

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• to raise the money for cash share.
• They were drilling water wells next to wells, and they were using that for fracking and production.
• They were drilling water wells next to wells, and they were using that for fracking and production.
• have the permits, how long it takes to get a permit to get water out of the Missouri River, for a small
• It's lifeblood to us for sure.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab 4, Senate Bill 1300 on permits for drilling, exploration, and extraction of
• permits for drilling, exploration, and extraction of oil and gas.
• We're going to take up tab four, Senate Bill 1300 on permits for drilling, exploration, and extraction
• drill, is now, I believe, That was granted a permit to drill is now, I believe, in litigation.
• Regarding what DEP must consider when granting a permit to drill.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of environmental and natural resources bills. It reported favorably SB 1784 on sewer collection systems, allowing municipal sewer revenues to be used for expansion; SB 1388 on vessels, which prohibits random vessel inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, bars local fuel-type boat bans, and expands funding options for boat ramps and marinas; and SB 880, which designates the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state songbird. SB 946, as amended, was also reported favorably; it restricts certain waste facilities and incinerators near the Everglades, with the amendment narrowing the focus to the Broward/Miami-Dade area near the C-9 impoundment project. SB 1792 on dry sandy beaches was reported favorably after amendment, creating a pilot and process to inventory beaches and explore voluntary public access or conservation arrangements with private owners. SB 866 on anchoring limitation areas was reported favorably despite opposition from cruisers and boaters who argued existing law should be used instead of new county-specific restrictions. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably with amendments that removed language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that landowners requesting a radiation study must pay for it. The committee also reported favorably SB 1326 on hurricane evacuation clearance times and permit allocations in the Keys, and SB 1580, after a delete-all amendment, which authorizes DEP to use public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects. Finally, SB 1300 on oil and gas drilling permits was introduced to require DEP to consider potential harm from accidents or blowouts to natural resources when reviewing drilling permits, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill. The committee also took up confirmations, temporarily postponing the vote on Rodney Barreto’s FWC reappointment after public criticism of his leadership, while recommending favorably the other listed appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do it. do that for you for years to come.
• green applications for wildfire protection and for like the. 26 counties in all of Texas to have a wildfire
• drill for floods.
• to build for Texas.
• I'll turn it over to Veronica. Good evening and thank you for permitting me to testify today.

Transcript Highlights:

• The simple bill proposes to extend the expiration date to August 1, 2030, for special tandem load permits
• to more opportunities for insurance coverage.
• Wheat, for beating me to it. Look forward to supporting it on the floor.
• to do justice to this very important bill for a young man that he wants to recognize and designate the
• Thank you for your patience in the audience for listening to transportation.

Bills: SCR58 , SB309 , SB514 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HB401 , HB487 , HB722 , HB730 , HB745 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1050 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1218 , HB1244

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• a student to work for a minimum requires a student to work for a minimum of<00:16:35.600><c> two</c>
• </c> arrange to get an instructor for you. arrange to get an instructor for you.
• This is for drill pay.
• This is for drill pay.
• </c> for-doll federal tax credit of up to for-doll federal tax credit of up to $1,700 $1,700 $1,700 per

Bills: HB125 , HB116 , HB183 , HB342 , HB341 , SB280 , SB245 , SB159 , HB125 , HB116 , HB183 , HB342 , HB341 , SB280 , SB245 , SB159

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: HB125, sunset law, Alabama Sunset Committee, Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, veterinary medical examiners, veterinary board, veterinary licensing, veterinary regulation, professional licensing board, state board continuation, sunset review, regulatory board, animal health, veterinarians, disciplinary authority, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• a</c> penalties for refusing to take a penalties for refusing to take a breathalyzer<00:03:50.640><c
• > in</c> be eligible for that, you have to be in be eligible for that, you have to be in compliance<00
• We're going to ask you to make it happen, and we're going to ask you to pay for it or go find money to
• </c> for him to arrest him, not to shoot him. for him to arrest him, not to shoot him.
• </c> users being sent to jail for life for users being sent to jail for life for because<02:51:52.160

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It will require any applicant for licensure to become a certified optometrist to successfully complete
• It will require any applicant for licensure to become a certified optometrist to successfully complete
• It will permit an optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures to use medication for minimal tranquilization
• It will permit an optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures to use medication for minimal tranquilization
• doctors back to Florida to care for their patients.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• General for Education to the creation of a division for the Inspector General for the Education and the
• AB 1033 by Morales of Maverick relating to the applicability of law governing a grant program for the
• relating to the compensation paid to the sales agents for the state lottery ticket sales or for the
• HB 1174 by Hinojosa relating to a requirement that an applicant for a permit to drill an oil or gas well
• regarding an applicant for employment for the subcommittee on workforce.