Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we were at about 2.64% short of what we would need to meet our service mandates, and we actually
• this is going from memory from our last year's budget hearing, but my understanding of the service mandates
• this is going from memory from our last year's budget hearing but my understanding of the service mandates
• And I would agree that meeting our permitting mandate is core to the work that we do.
• Without the six staff, the Coastal Commission will be unable to carry out mandates in SB 272, further

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive discussion on the Governor’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions across several environmental and natural resources departments, including Fish and Wildlife, Parks, the Coastal Commission/BCDC, DPR, DTSC, CalRecycle, and the State Water Resources Control Board. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the JLBC had already not concurred with 650 of roughly 1,000 positions under review, citing concerns that many of the vacancies support core functions such as law enforcement, permitting, public safety, sea-level rise planning, and implementation of recently enacted laws. The Department of Finance defended the vacancy reduction exercise as a way to capture savings from a statewide pool of about 40,000 vacancies, arguing that departments need flexibility to manage operations and that some vacancies are used to cover operating costs or hard-to-fill roles. Several department representatives testified that the cuts would reduce capacity and could slow permitting or enforcement, though they said they would try to reclassify positions and prioritize the highest-need work. No vote was taken and all items were held open for a future hearing. Members focused heavily on the practical effects of the cuts. Senators questioned whether vacant positions should be treated as a budget savings tool, whether special-fund positions should be eliminated when they do not affect the General Fund, and whether long-vacant positions should simply be removed if they have not been filled for years. Fish and Wildlife and Parks described impacts to permitting, wildlife conflict response, and law enforcement; Parks said its academy can train only about 50 rangers a year, leaving many vacancies even after the proposed reductions. The Coastal Commission said the affected positions support SB 272 sea-level rise planning with local governments. DPR said the proposed cuts would affect multiple branches involved in pesticide registration, enforcement, and safety review, while DTSC said it was still hiring from a large 2022 reform package and had reduced its vacancy rate from about 30 percent to 15 percent before the drill. The State Water Board said its proposed reductions would be spread across programs and could lead to slower permitting and backlogs, though it would protect drinking water functions as much as possible. The committee then moved to a State Water Resources Control Board overview and a new budget proposal tied to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Chair Esquivel described the board’s responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and financial assistance, and said the board is updating the Bay-Delta Plan while also pursuing voluntary agreements and broader water-rights administration. He said federal workforce reductions and the Sackett ruling have increased pressure on state programs. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund to address permitting and enforcement gaps created by the narrowing of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals because it was supported by the board’s data and would help maintain water-quality protections, though it noted that state processes are less efficient than the federal framework they are now partially replacing.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we believe this policy is causing a cumbersome mandate that strips local governments of their
• Mandating all cities posting information online is not accountable of context.
• <00:08:12.440> Mandating<00:08:13.000> all lot of these counties.
• Mandating all lot of these counties.
• And, uh, it doesn't mandate us to do that. So, that's my amendment. He's explained it very well.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody who had more money than 500% in their account of their liability, they were mandated the state
• <00:17:33.600> Um mandated the state issue a refund.
• Um mandated the state issue a refund.
• on capitalizations for reserve mandates on capitalizations for reserve funds<00:21:08.080> at
• Annually, we have a battle over numerous insurance mandates.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These mandates hinder the ability of surveyors to focus on core responsibilities such as investigating
• It mandated insurance coverage for the use of coronary artery calcium scoring, CACS.
• or a benefit mandate in health insurance.
• The other piece of this bill that we are concerned about is that it mandates this coverage at $2,000
• Third, the bill mandates that children be placed with relatives or kin whenever possible.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• CalNAGPRA mandates that those remains be returned to tribal descendants to this...
• NAGPRA mandates that those remains be returned to tribal descendants.
• It does not—this bill does not mandate policy decisions, and it does not interfere with their ability
• I have seen some concerns raised about the mandate, and so given that this bill is going to be coming
• I don't know. ...that we don't have any unintended consequences of mandating this dual enrollment on

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please explain to me that everyone is mandated to participate.
• The Republican Party has a clear and resounding mandate to...
• Nowhere was the 2024 mandate of the Republican Party clearer than in Florida.
• President Trump has a clear mandate. He has heard that from the people.
• What is right right now, Trump does have a mandate for the American people.

Bills: SJR36, SR8, SR14, SR15, SR17, HCR54

Keywords: accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, advocacy, legislation, business issues, memorial, law enforcement, sacrifice, tribute, community support, service, community, Holocaust, remembrance, antisemitism, human rights, education, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorialization, sexual assault

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• My close is we're not mandating anything.

Bills: HB591, HB766

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, cancer treatment, anti-cancer medications, health insurance, copayment, cost-sharing, health policy, 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• Again, it's voluntary, no mandate, no state program, and no taxpayer cost.
• My close is we're not mandating anything.

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 20, confirmed a quorum, and approved the May 13 minutes. The first bill heard was House Bill 591, which would create the Paid Family Leave Insurance Act as a voluntary private-market insurance option for employers, with no mandate, state program, or taxpayer cost. Senator Bass presented the bill, offered technical amendments, and after brief questions about why the framework was needed, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee then took up House Bill 76, dealing with coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications. Representative Amy Freeman and former Representative Julie Stokes explained that the bill updates Louisiana’s oral chemotherapy coverage law, which had not been revised since 2012, and addresses insurer rejection of newer oral cancer drugs. They also explained Amendment Set 4063, which was intended to restore the bill to the proper posture after changes made in the Appropriations Committee and to prohibit copayment adjustment programs such as accumulator or maximizer programs from reducing credit for manufacturer assistance toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Senator Bass raised a concern about prior authorization language and possible ERISA litigation, and department staff responded that the bill would not alter ERISA enforceability and that the fiscal note already reflected about $67,000 in OGB costs. After the amendments were adopted, Senator Bass moved to report HB 76 favorably with amendments, and the committee did so without opposition. Senator Carter thanked the bill authors for their advocacy on cancer-related issues and offered to help during the interim. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it have to be a mandate?
• As far as mandating codes, I think we're always in favor of building stronger homes.
• So there's a local code, but not a statewide mandated code for the entire state. Correct.
• There's not a statewide mandate. Carte blanche, one size fits all, no, sir. Right, got it.
• We could either do that as an incentive or some sort of a mandate on premiums.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic impacts of the new paid family and medical leave mandate on our business community.
• But states that had mandated paid leave programs did not see increased migration trends in those states
• paid leave, every state but one mandated paid leave, every state but one had<00:53:24.880> a<
• But states that had<00:53:31.119> mandated<00:53:31.599> paid<00:53:31.760> leave
• programs did not had mandated paid leave programs did not see<00:53:33.280> uh<00:53:33.440><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we're seeing, and in fact there were no new benefit mandates this year.
• ,<00:37:23.680> um makes a change or adds a mandate, um makes a change or adds a mandate,
• I'll just say I crossed out this individual mandate because there was part of the ACA was a mandate that
• there was part of the ACA was a mandate there was part of the ACA was a mandate that<00:40:30.400
• <00:40:48.079> and have their own um individual mandate and have their own um individual mandate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:40.480> Um, pro-development prozzoning mandates.
• Um, pro-development prozzoning mandates.
• <01:36:29.840> um can see with some of these mandated um can see with some of these mandated
• It's not considering those mandates.
• It's and it's not just zoning mandates. Zoning mandates are not going to solve any of this either.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mandate reports. mandate reports.
• President, it says it's a mandate, of course.
• <00:42:04.880> of<00:42:05.000> course and it says it's a mandate of course and it
• says it's a mandate of course it<00:42:06.440> says<00:42:06.960> local<00:42:07.440>
• as mandates as mandates while<00:58:09.480> we're<00:58:09.600> still<00:58:09.880

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it mandates?
• Is it mandates?
• Is it mandates? I I guess we need taxes? Is it mandates?
• ,<00:37:26.480> uh, obviously saw a lot of mandates, uh, obviously saw a lot of mandates,
• increase in mandate, increase in costs<00:37:39.119> essentially.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thus, I makes this an unfunded mandate.
• Um, there is no mandate that that money gets spent. There's no mandate that it happens.
• It does not mandate things.
• Um there is no mandate that Chargers.
• But much like mandate that it happens.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're here to support SB 971 because it costs no money, it imposes no mandates, it encourages local
• But their testimony said that the bill imposes no mandates and it costs no money.
• When abuse is suspected, mandated category reported in these facilities.
• When abuse is suspected, mandated reporters are required to report it using the same definitions in the

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, it should possibly be mandated that if there's a drunk driving incident and there's a concealed
• :09:52.080> should<00:09:52.440> possibly<00:09:52.960> be<00:09:53.160> mandated
• <00:09:53.840> that >> So, it should possibly be mandated that >> So, it should
• possibly be mandated that if<00:09:54.600> there's<00:09:54.760> a<00:09:54.800> drunk

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't mandate interoperability.
• If you think about cross-posting between Facebook and Instagram, this doesn't mandate interoperability
• So the interoperability is not a mandate.
• We believe the bill imposes interoperability mandates, which raise serious privacy and security concerns

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can talk about some of the other people and mandates that cause that, but I won't rehash discussion
• We want companies to be profitable, not excessively profitable, but where there is a mandate to purchase
• They are also 7% less likely to result in mandated financial restatements, even when they acknowledged
• calculation, removes county-specific Coastal Representative provisions from the board, and it eliminates mandates

Bills: SB1642, SB1643, SB2530

Keywords: Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, there are unfunded mandates or borrowing that isn't necessary.
• concept, but I have concerns regarding the lack of accountability, lack of results, or the unfunded mandate
• Item 25, mandate for pregnancy leave.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education held its close-out hearing for the 2026 budget process, with the chair saying the Senate plan fully funds Proposition 98 and continues investments in universal school meals, career education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ student supports, UC/CSU compacts, and community college stability. Public commenters largely supported those priorities, including funding for CalNEW, Dream resource centers, teacher workforce programs, community schools, special education, paid pregnancy leave, and higher education aid, while some urged rejection of proposals they viewed as underfunding Prop 98 or adding non-LEA preschool costs into the guarantee. Others raised concerns about the middle class scholarship cut, CalFresh support for college students, and the need for clearer instructional windows and English learner supports. During member comments, Senator Chao Bogh said many items were supportable but criticized placeholder language, lack of final details, accountability concerns, and some borrowing or mandate structures, including the middle class scholarship, adult learner program, Calbright common cloud platform, paid pregnancy leave, and apprenticeship backfill. The chair responded that the budget reflects major investments in K-12 and higher education, including full Prop 98 funding, elimination of the settle-up amount, middle class scholarship funding, and Dreamers resource centers, and emphasized the importance of supporting students regardless of documentation status. The committee then moved to the vote-only calendar and adopted multiple staff recommendation packages. Part A issues 2-15, 24, 26-42, 44-71, 74-90, and 92-117 were approved unanimously; Part A issue 1 passed with Senator Chao Bogh voting no; and Part A sections 16-23, 25, 43, 72, 73, and 91 were noted as agreed to. In Part B, issues 1-10, 12-24, 25A, 26-27, 29-30, 32-34, 36-44, 48-49, 51-67, and 69 were approved, as were issues 11, 40, and 68, and issues 25B, 28, 31, 35, 45-47, and 50. The hearing then adjourned.