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.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those projects, more than a third of the time is spent waiting for the application to be submitted
• For those projects, more than a third of the time is spent waiting for the application to be submitted
• The CPUC... waiting for the application to be submitted to the CPUC.
• the transmission utility submits its application to the Commission for permitting.
• have to pay for that.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that's four pieces of information that are required for an industrial sighting permit application
• And they are just to permit application.
• impact to be caused by a facility if for impact to be caused by a facility if the<00:31:48.559><c> permit
• </c> to file for a divorce and I'm going to to file for a divorce and I'm going to make<01:33:59.440>
• </c><02:58:35.600><c> a</c> application to the commission for a application to the commission for a designation

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• for both the discharge of treated produced water to surface waters and land application.
• TCEQ will be given the authority to issue permits for land application of produced water resulting from
• to use for land application. crop irrigation, and other beneficial uses.
• At TCEQ to allow us to engage in other markets for this produced water that is treated for beneficial
• the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality to issue permits for the land application

Bills: SB766 , SB290 , SB494 , SB1145

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• to denote where, when a housing project has applied for, been approved, or is permitted through AB 2011
• to be a constituent, and to thank her for her leadership and for Steve Wertheim and his willingness
• for being willing to listen to all that.
• to do a carve-out for homeownership, set aside a density for home ownership projects to allow those
• Thank you to our chair for convening this, to our speaker, of course, for putting this together, and

Summary: The hearing was an outcome review of AB 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, focused on whether the law is being used as intended to speed housing production on commercially zoned land while maintaining labor and affordability standards. Chair Haney and Assembly Member Wicks emphasized that the point of the review was not to relitigate the bill, but to assess implementation and results. The first panel of researchers and policy experts said AB 2011 has had real but still limited uptake so far, with roughly 5,800 homes proposed, entitled, or permitted under the law through 2024, concentrated mainly in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties. They also noted that the broader housing market remains constrained by high construction costs, interest rates, and flat rents, making it hard to isolate the bill’s effects from overall market conditions. Witnesses generally agreed that AB 2011 has been most effective for 100% affordable projects and for projects already using public subsidies or prevailing wage, where the ministerial process and CEQA streamlining help move developments forward. Several speakers described the law as a useful bargaining tool that can push jurisdictions to rezone or approve projects more quickly even when AB 2011 is not formally invoked. At the same time, developers and advocates said the mixed-income pathway is much less usable in most of the state because prevailing wage and the 15% affordability requirement add significant cost, especially in lower-rent markets. They also pointed to implementation issues such as narrow site eligibility rules, the “substantially surrounded by urban uses” test, industrial-use exclusions, and confusion about whether the law applies to homeownership projects. The second panel, made up of practitioners using the law, described specific projects that moved forward under AB 2011, including affordable housing developments in the San Joaquin Valley and large mixed-use projects in San Francisco. They said the law’s biggest benefit is certainty: projects that once took years to entitle can now move in months. However, they repeated calls for changes such as clarifying homeownership eligibility, loosening density and site restrictions, narrowing the industrial-use exclusion, and making the law easier to understand for developers and local staff. Members also raised concerns about uneven use across regions, especially the relative lack of AB 2011 activity in Los Angeles and Santa Clara County, and about the accuracy and lag in annual progress report data. The final panel, including the original sponsors, said they remain supportive of the law but are open to adjustments to reduce costs and improve usability while preserving labor protections and affordability goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• themselves weren't given the option to have a well drilled for them for water.
• themselves weren't given the option to have a well drilled for them for water.
• themselves weren't given the option to have a well drilled for them for water.
• c> to DW dwell drill for to DW dwell drill for water<03:03:39.000><c> for</c><03:03:39.200><c> a</c><
• </c><03:03:46.479><c> for</c> the option to have a a well drilled for the option to have a a well drilled

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> carries</c> process for Minnesota permit to carries process for Minnesota permit to carries our<00
• And, you know, when we issue a permit to purchase, permit to carry, we're responsible for that information
• And, you know, when we issue a permit to purchase, permit to carry, we're responsible for that information
• Um, I don't know. because they're applying for a permit to because they're applying for a permit to carry
• for 5 years for we we manage the data for 5 years for permit<00:10:46.680><c> to</c><00:10:46.880><c

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to application fees. Let's move on to application fees. Yeah.
• We're going to move on to application fees.
• Furthermore, Virginia law limits the application fee to $32 for public housing applicants or those applying
• , this is simply reducing the barriers to applying for lower-income applicants, right?
• use a portable report, and then they would not have to pay that $50 for each application.

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 and get those permits
• 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

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and later welcomed officials from the city of Lindsay. The chamber then moved through confirmations for 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; all three appointments were confirmed after roll calls. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of bills and resolutions without objection. On the floor, senators debated Senate Joint Resolution 12 opposing federal offshore oil and gas leasing off California. Supporters argued offshore drilling would threaten coastal environments and public participation, while opponents said California’s energy shortages and affordability problems require more in-state production. The resolution passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118 urging 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, with broad praise for the state’s agricultural industry and concerns raised about water, farmland loss, and farmworker treatment. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 100 designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to highlight child sexual abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and survivor support. The chamber then adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman, honoring their service and community impact. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming budget subcommittee meetings and notice that the Senate would reconvene on April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a good way for judges to see that if they are going to suppress evidence, it's going to
• So how is it ever going to be unduly burdensome to produce this important evidence for defendants to
• murderer, to walk free for decades.
• Well, thanks for having us to begin with.
• It's for a person who begins drilling or converts a well without a permit.

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we see the need for that to escalate in the future? Thank you for that question.
• This is very important for Oklahoma dairies to continue to be able to ship... Milk.
• The chair is preparing to close. Errors for ready to close the roll.
• hand asking us for permission to remain open.
• Or do you want to know what I will fight for?

Bills: HB1427 , SB1403 , SB1448 , SB1489 , SB1546 , SB1557 , SB1614 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1439 , SB1630 , SB1632 , SB1696 , SB1796 , SB1824 , SB1362 , SB1849 , SB2066 , SB2071 , SB2104 , SB933 , SB1633 , SB1224 , SB1246 , SB1280 , SB1303 , SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We need developments, but we need to be prepared for it, and we need to have time to plan for it.
• say, 3 to 4 years for us to push that shot clock bill back.
• for the private sector to M.
• And I don't want my daughter to have to wait for me to die for her to be able to own her own home.
• to provide for these communities to respond to them.

Bills: HB602 , HB1322 , HB1930 , HB2225 , HB2304 , HB2494 , HB3275 , HB3810 , HB3919

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• it has enough time to answer questions for the event suppliers that want to put in for it.
• because it seems to make common sense for us to at least try to understand.
• mussels, and so therefore you will eliminate those needs for the permitting, but you do need to comply
• They just convened the God Squad for the fourth time in history to exempt all oil and gas drilling in
• They just convened the God Squad for the fourth time in history to exempt all oil and drilling, oil and

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to personally thank you for your whole family, and thank you to the whole family for
• Good for you. You got the drill. You know the drill. All righty.
• Good for you. You got the drill. You know the drill. All righty.
• Is there a motion to recommend for confirmation for a block vote?
• Is there a motion to recommend for confirmation for a block vote?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities. One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• to apply for aid.
• For the community colleges, we would also have to defer to CSAC for the actual amount of applicants.
• We've done that for years, typically at the time of application, to inform them of the financial aid
• This deadline extension was just for this year, and it is to respond to the application challenges we
• priority deadline to April 2nd and the decision to keep Takeda open for applicants from mixed-status

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a way for them to to stay home.
• you going to ask us for funding to complete these projects?
• ask us for funding to are you going to ask us for funding to complete<00:56:14.559><c> these</c><00:
• </c> to look at it now cuz I asked for it. to look at it now cuz I asked for it.
• c> drive</c> feels sorry for me when I have to drive feels sorry for me when I have to drive in<01:24

Bills: SB2901 , SB2902 , SB2903 , SB2904 , SB2905 , SB2906 , SB2907 , SB2908 , SB2909 , SB2910 , SB2911 , SB2912 , SB2913 , SB2914 , SB2915 , SB2916 , SB2917 , SB2918 , SB2919 , SB2920 , SB2921 , SB2922 , SB2923 , SB2924 , SB2925 , SB2926 , SB2927 , SB2928 , SB2929 , SB2930 , SB2931 , SB2932 , SB2933 , SB2934 , SB2935 , SB2936 , SB2937 , SB2938 , SB2939 , SB2940 , SB2941 , SB2942 , SB2943 , SB2944 , SB2945 , SB2946 , SB2947 , SB2948 , SB2949 , SB2950 , SB2951 , SB2952 , SB2953 , SB2954 , SB2955 , SB2956 , SB2957 , SB2958 , SB2959 , SB2960 , SB2961 , SB2962 , SB2963 , SB2964 , SB2965 , SB2966 , SB2967 , SB2968 , SB2969 , SB2970 , SB2971 , SB2972 , SB2973 , SB2974 , SB2975 , SB2976 , SB2977 , SB2978 , SB2979 , SB2980 , SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2984 , SB2985 , SB2986 , SB2987 , SB2988 , SB2989 , SB2990 , SB2991 , SB2992 , SB2993 , SB2994 , SB2995 , SB2996 , SB2997 , SB2998 , SB2999 , SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's people that are going to do that for you for years to come.
• for part you know for to parking camp, but I'd have to recheck our rules for the exact specifications
• They should have never allowed or let or permitted for these children to stay in their bunks when the
• to build for for Texas, and to answer any questions that you may have.
• Thank you for permitting me to testify today. I'm Veronica Sanchez.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• , to try to send a market signal for this new supply.
• We should try to come up with a creative way for state-backed financing to allow for new entrants in
• There has to be a way for us to create that security because if you ask a transit agency to sign up for
• for us to continue to work with ...continue to make progress on these fronts.
• Good afternoon, and thank you guys for allowing me to talk to you for a little bit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now it's time for Chapter 312 for wind, solar, and batteries to do the same.
• To me, I know that we need to continue to have many options for our grid and...
• Applications go to the Comptroller's Office for initial evaluation. and processing.
• factor needed for the application.
• For fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025, up to April, the number of applications that we have received

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1465 extends the sunset for the state board of licensure for engineers and surveyors to 2031
• Thank you for that question. No, not really, because it is illegal to sell eggs.
• So, is the author referring to the shale as nature's wrapper for clarity?
• Senator Woods, to close the debate, thank you, everybody, for hearing this bill.
• So if you're lactose intolerant, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Bills: SB1465 , SB2110 , SB1771 , SB206 , SB1584 , SB1386 , SB1696 , SB1806 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1381 , SB201 , SB1778 , SB1332 , SB1836 , SB1369 , SB1794 , SB1290 , SB175 , SB1379

Keywords: professional engineers, surveyors, licensure board, sunset extension, state board, occupational licensing, engineering license, surveying license, professional regulation, regulatory board, sunset review, emergency clause, Oklahoma O.S. 59, board appointments, lay member, SB2110, eggs, ungraded eggs, graded eggs, egg sales