Video & Transcript Research : 'ethical AI'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Can you tell me, do we know how many of those that were resubmitted were AI graded versus those that
- So I would like you to speak to—I don't care if it's AI or human greatness—that's y'all's job to figure
- think this whole conversation about we should not even be, I mean, it seems like when y'all moved to AI
- So I would like you to speak to—I don't care if it's AI or human grading—that's y'all's job to figure
- think this whole conversation about we should not even be, I mean, it seems like when y'all moved to AI
Bills:
HB8
Keywords:
HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround
Summary:
The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements.
Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases.
Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- structure and guidance for responsible state use of AI.
- and to create data and AI use standards and guidelines for state agencies.
- task force has spent the better part of the year creating a mission and vision to address data and AI
- , and also create data and AI use standards for the state agencies and guidelines.
- We have HB 1292... data in Ai and also create data and AI data in Ai and also create data and AI use<
Summary:
The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- use AI to automate much of their work. use AI to automate much of their work.
- It should be noted we also leverage AI It should be noted we also leverage AI in<00:10:10.480>
- Fraudsters leverage AI to enhance their attacks.
- <00:14:18.320>
At leverage AI to enhance their attacks.- At leverage AI to enhance their attacks.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The state would use AI to compare information and detect Medicaid payment discrepancies in real time
- AI to compare<00:04:42.400>
information <00:04:43.039>and <00:04:43.199>detect < - before we came into session about AI, the governor, and I had a conversation about AI.
- before committee started uh about the AI before committee started uh about the AI and<00:46:00.240
- > conversation about AI I'm grateful that conversation about AI I'm grateful that the<00:46:07.880>
Keywords:
opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I sit on the Appropriations Committee, International Trade, and new AI.
- I sit on the Appropriations Committee, International Trade, and new AI, so Justin must be doing something
- to upskill with AI skills.
- Most of the stuff we're doing right now is going to be on the AI side of things.
- Most of the stuff we're doing right now is going to be on the AI side of things.
Summary:
The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity.
Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation.
The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State and Local Government Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- to money, and whether the Ethics Commission needs to be able to oversee the Auditor.
- The attorney for the Ethics Commission, is the attorney for the Ethics Commission also a SAG? Yes.
- It would just simply be taking current code, adding Ethics Commission.
- but the Governor and State Auditor and Ethics Commission in 23 through 27.
- Governor, Ethics, and Auditor?
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities.
Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation.
The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- As AI continues to rapidly shape education, employment, health care, and everyday life, we believe it
- The discussion will explore how AI can serve as a powerful tool for accessibility, independence, and
- As a matter of fact, the AI suggestion came from the advisory council, employment and workforce pathways
- Chair Garlick and I attended a statewide AI event where there was discussion around innovation, workforce
- With that, I would ask everybody on this call: if you know any experts in the AI world who are including
Summary:
The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination.
A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions.
The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, I apologize if this was already brought up that OID has their AI guidelines and bulletin; you
- So on the AI portion, do you think that AI would be good in the scenario to, if it found fraud or… In
- My thought is if I submit a claim on my homeowners insurance and AI looks at it and says, “Totally agree
- , we're going to pay it,” then I'm all for AI doing that.
- If AI says we're not going to pay it… Totally agree, we're going to pay it, then I'm all for AI doing
Keywords:
insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The ethical violations occurred.
- During the time that’s relevant to these ethical violations or these allegations of ethical violations
- ethical alarm bells?
- Violating any ethical rules or triggering any ethical alarm bells? Objection.
- was ethical or unethical.
Summary:
The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance.
Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns.
Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Consumer Rights in Minnesota – Senator Mark Koran Mar 3rd, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You add AI into the world, and those threats are growing exponentially.
- I'm a process guy, not a technology guy, but what do we do when AI is applied here?
- I have my personal political biases: I haven't met an AI that isn't biased yet.
- With AI, they'll be able to emulate the actual physical presence of that grandchild and the voice to
- in the Caribbean islands on<00:08:20.440>
vacation <00:08:21.440>with <00:08:21.680>AI
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 4/7/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- people that has filed an ethics people that has filed an ethics complaint.<00:07:36.480>
He'd - response to the other ethics complaint? response to the other ethics complaint?
- >> Um, the way that the ethics work is we receive those ethics complaint.
- >> What you're going to see is the ethics committee is going to do their work.
- That is not just because of the tie; that is a structure of the ethics committee.
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges Apr 9th, 2026
Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we have pressures of AI.
- There are no regents' guidelines or guardrails on AI.
- So you mentioned AI briefly in terms of where the system currently sits with AI and some of the reluctance
- AI is a third rail.
- For instance, let’s just talk about AI for a second.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct - Part 1 - 03/13/25
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct - 04/24/25
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Defining “gross annual retail energy sales.” 3/5/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If Minnesota wants to remain a leader in technology such as AI, passing House File 3296 is critically
- If Minnesota wants to remain a leader in technology such as AI, passing House File 3296 is critically
- If Minnesota wants to remain a leader in technology such as AI, passing House File 3296 is critically
- If Minnesota wants to remain a leader in technology such as AI, passing House File 3296 is critically
- desire to expand into AI. desire to expand into AI.
Summary:
House File 3296, as amended, was heard in committee and laid over. The bill would extend an existing exemption in Minnesota’s energy conservation/efficiency program calculations so that certain data centers, like crypto-based data mining operations, would not be counted in a utility’s gross annual retail sales if the new load increases the utility’s base load by 40% or more. Representative Gilman and testifier David Meyer of Glenco Light and Power argued the change is needed because large data loads can make the 1.5% annual savings target effectively unattainable for smaller municipal utilities, and they said the added revenue from the facility has helped lower rates for other customers.
Ken Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association supported the bill, describing it as narrowly drafted to address mid-sized data centers that do not fit other relief provisions but still create local utility problems. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light opposed the exemption, arguing that energy efficiency remains important amid rising demand and grid stress from data centers, and that large users should continue contributing to efficiency efforts rather than being exempted.
Members raised questions about whether the facility had a long-term contract, whether the customer was helping lower rates, and how much savings were being passed on to ratepayers. Meyer said the customer had a three-year agreement extended another three years, the infrastructure costs were borne by the customer, and the facility’s revenue has allowed Glenco to reduce rates by about half a cent per kilowatt hour through a $40,000 monthly buy-down of its power cost adjustment. Some members expressed concern that data centers should continue to improve efficiency over time, while others noted the bill’s focus on smaller utilities facing disproportionate impacts.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- (Gen AI) project pilot for health facilities.
- Just consistent with recommendations, we note that more legislative oversight over the state's Gen AI
- It is a general AI project for our Center for Health Care Quality.
- Again, this Gen-AI project is one of a number of Gen-AI projects across the state that the administration
- I want to thank Assemblymember Patterson for bringing up the generative AI.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct - Part 1 - 05/05/25
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct
Transcript Highlights:
- a violation of ethical conduct has a violation of ethical conduct has occurred.<00:06:03.120>
We <00:21:10.799>Thank on ethical conduct. Thank you. Thank on ethical conduct. Thank you. - were violated and the code of ethics were violated and the code of ethics were<00:30:16.399>
- rule Senate ethic ethics rules in rule Senate ethic ethics rules in rule 56.4.<00:59:35.200>
And - 1.30 of the code of ethics. 1.30 of the code of ethics.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- America as far as energy goes, and this energy policy for us is critical because all the new development, AI
- we just recently have been told that the Chinese now have an edge on us as far as the development of AI
- we just recently have been told that the Chinese now have an edge on us as far as the development of AI
- This energy policy for us is critical because all the new development, AI, we just recently have been
- told that the Chinese now have an edge on us as far as the development of AI, and that's because they
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:56
SJR 28 Discussion 01:44
SJR 28 Roll Call Vote 03:32
SB 179 Discussion 04:08
SB 179 Roll Call Vote 07:33, 958, all
Summary:
The committee opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the minutes. After no special guests were recognized, members took up a joint resolution carried by Senator Nemes for Senator Adams concerning reformulated gasoline requirements in Jefferson County and parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties. The resolution would direct the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to revise the state air quality implementation plan to remove the reformulated gas mandate. Senator Nemes argued the requirement is outdated and has little practical effect given modern vehicles and fuel standards, and members voted to pass the resolution unanimously.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 179 from Senator Danny Carroll, which would create a nuclear energy development grant program within the Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Carroll explained that the bill would set aside $10 million from the previously appropriated $40 million investment for grants supporting nuclear energy development in Kentucky, with grants capped at $2 million and administered entirely by NEITA rather than through Economic Development. He and several members emphasized the need for Kentucky to invest in nuclear energy to keep pace with states like Tennessee, which was cited as having invested heavily and attracting business activity around small modular reactors.
Members expressed strong support for the bill, with Senator West and others praising the initiative and calling it important for Kentucky’s energy future. The committee voted the bill out favorably with an expression that it shall pass. Before adjournment, the chair encouraged members to review the other energy bills that had been heard recently and stressed the importance of moving quickly on energy policy measures. A motion was then requested to close the meeting.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment would cover AI being used by therapists in providing counseling to people who are having
- It protects against AI chatbots providing therapy or psychotherapy.
- However, this bill would protect the registry from job displacement by AI.
- here based on the California model that they've passed, which would prohibit insurers from allowing AI
- AI systems would be tested for certain biases.
Summary:
The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading.
The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor.
After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 1979, Mia Bonta, AI and health care, do pass out on a B roll call.
- AB 2392, Fong, generative AI training, do pass out on an A roll call.
- AB 2392, Fong, generative AI training, do pass out on an A roll call.
- AB 2583, Hoover, AI training, held in committee.
- AB 1898, Schultz, workplace AI notices, held in committee.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online.
The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action.
Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.