Video & Transcript : 'Chapter 251' :
Page 62 of 396
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- 77.55, shoreline substantial development permits required under chapter 90.58, State Environmental Policy
- Act permits required under chapter 43.21C, and wastewater discharge permits required under chapter 90.48
- 77.55, shoreline substantial development permits required under chapter 90.58, State Environmental Policy
- Act permits required under chapter 43.21C, and wastewater discharge permits required under chapter 90.48
- It would, and I guess... ...under chapter 90.48.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies.
HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript.
In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Higher Education Committee Dec 3rd, 2025 at 10:30 am
Joint Higher Education Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The payroll chapter, Chapter 25, requires all agencies except higher education to use HRMS, the Human
- Chapter 90 discusses the requirements around the use of AFRS, the Agency Financial Reporting System.
- The payroll chapter, Chapter 25, requires all agencies except higher education to use HRMS, the human
- And Chapter 90 discusses the requirements around the use of AFERS.
- WAM is currently under development, and we have several chapters that are available for review on our
Committee:
Joint Joint Higher Education Committee
Summary:
The Joint Higher Education Committee met with introductions from members and then held a work session on higher education and statewide accounting practices. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state and university accounting/reporting differ, including current AFRS/SAM requirements and the transition to Workday/WAM, and described what higher education data are currently included in state reporting versus what will remain excluded, such as transaction-level detail and vendor payment information. University of Washington and Washington State University officials then described the complexity of their institutions’ financial structures, including multiple campuses, auxiliary enterprises, component units, hospitals, clinics, bonds, and other reporting obligations, and how they submit summarized data to the state while maintaining more detailed local accounting systems. The Education Research and Data Center also presented the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512, emphasizing that the metrics are best used to examine trends within institutions rather than direct comparisons across schools; members asked about data availability and federal reporting delays, and ERDC said it was on track to update the dashboard with newer data and additional metrics.
The committee then heard a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended purpose of supporting postsecondary attainment, high-demand fields, student aid, and workforce education. He said WIA revenue has grown substantially, especially after recent tax changes, and noted that most current appropriations go to higher education, including the Washington College Grant, community and four-year institutions, and some workforce-related programs. Members asked whether WIA supports apprenticeships and trades, and Anderson said it has in some cases, though nearly all current appropriations are now within higher education.
Anderson also highlighted a major policy shift in the 2025-27 budget: WIA is now being used to supplant some general-fund higher education spending, especially a large transfer for University of Washington general operations. He said this has reduced the general fund share of higher education funding and increased the share from WIA, raising concerns about whether the account is still being used as originally intended. He also described how WIA is increasingly covering Washington College Grant caseload growth and faculty compensation costs, and said WSAC is working to improve public documentation of ongoing and carry-forward appropriations. The committee did not take any substantive votes on the presentation topics and then moved toward executive session and adjournment.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 24, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, there are two separate chapters. I want to make sure that we're all clear.
- The National Guard is in Chapter 9, and it is described there.
- And then the State Guard, we do have a separate chapter, and it's Chapter 10.
- Uh there's uh I want to make chapters.
- have a a separate chapter and it's chapter<00:21:05.440><c> 10.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 2nd, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 44-04 and a new section to Chapter 58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an open meeting
- Engrossed House Bill 1064, a bill for an act to create a new section to Chapter 15-18.1 of the North
- Engrossed Senate Bill 2172, a bill for an act to create a new section to Chapter 26.1-45 of the North
- Madam Secretary, Re-engrossed Senate Bill 2335, a bill for an act to create a new section to Chapter
- Re-engrossed Senate Bill 2176, a bill for an act to create a new section to Chapter 54-07 of the North
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes.
On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it.
On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Mar 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- This is under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-7.
- Most of my comments will be based around Chapter 48, public buildings.
- This will move us out of Chapter 48 into Chapter 54, but it's a very similar comment related to the construction
- Moving away from Chapter 54, Chapter 15, this is related to our projects here.
- They also, at the end, letter V, added water districts subject to chapter 61-35.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (02/20/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:04:59.840><c> ly</c> DCF by way of background current ly DCF by way of background current ly chapter
- <00:05:00.759><c> RSA</c> chapter RSA chapter RSA 170c<00:05:02.919><c> describes</c><00:05:03.440><c
- 00:06:27.599><c> that</c> is added to another section of that is added to another section of that chapter
- which was added into chapter which was added into 2018<00:06:31.759><c> um</c><00:06:32.160><c> 170<
- It's remedial legislation to Senate Bill 417 from last year in Chapter 377, Laws of 2024. district 19
Committee:
Senate Children and Family Law
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- JVP has over 200,000 online supporters and over 70 chapters.
- Some of our members are supporters and over 70 chapters.
- I'm here today on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts chapter, in support of S. 2134
- The Massachusetts chapter has proudly supported our Muslim neighbors throughout the state by way of litigation
- In closing, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Lawyers Guild strongly supports the bill to create
Summary:
The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight reopened a hearing on several bills related to public commissions, diversity on boards, and honorary or representative designations. Most of the testimony focused on bills promoting the rights and inclusion of American Muslims, including support for a Muslim commission that would recommend qualified Muslim residents for appointments, assess state programs’ effects on the community, and advise lawmakers. Witnesses described Islamophobia, discrimination in schools and public spaces, and the need for Muslim representation in government. One speaker, Ahmed Svahani, opposed the Muslim commission bill, arguing it could allow the state to define who counts as a “real Muslim,” create an official class, and silence dissenting voices.
Other testimony supported a bill to promote diversity on public boards and commissions, with Mass NOW arguing that boards should better reflect the state’s racial and gender diversity and that diverse boards make better decisions. Mass Equality testified in support of a commission on the status of transgender people, citing federal restrictions on gender-affirming care, discrimination in housing, employment, and education, and gaps in existing representation. The National Lawyers Guild’s Massachusetts chapter also supported the Muslim commission bill, citing civil-rights concerns and increased reports of discrimination and retaliation against Muslims.
No votes were taken on the bills themselves during the hearing. At the end of testimony, a motion was made and seconded to close the hearing, and the committee voted in favor of adjournment, ending the hearing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Three - Monday, March 30
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- By creating a land bank, you also are able to opt in to Chapter 141, which is judicial foreclosure on
- And so what Chapter 141 does is it is you treat a sale of real estate as a bank foreclosure.
- Yeah, that's Chapter 141.
- But the bottom line is what happens under Chapter 141 is everything gets cleaned up.
- Yeah, everything's clean when you come out of Chapter 141. Perfect. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 135-1. Members then observed a moment of silence for a constituent killed in a roadway tragedy, and several members introduced guests, including family members, veterans, students, and a child celebrating his birthday on the dais.
The chamber then considered a series of bills. HB 2944, dealing with automatic continuation of a senior property tax freeze without annual reapplication, passed 145-0. HB 2230/2978, addressing school instructional methods by limiting excessive screen-based instruction and promoting cursive writing, passed 143-10 after extended debate over technology use in elementary schools. HB 1825, removing sheriffs and prosecutors from county salary commissions with a Boone County carve-out, passed 152-0. HB 1840, creating a Purple Alert system for missing individuals with developmental disabilities, passed 153-0, and its emergency clause was adopted 143-8. HB 1623, allowing emergency suspension or restriction of licenses for massage therapists and chiropractors, passed 103-48. HB 3279, moving the Community Service Commission to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 151-0. HB 2508, clarifying certificates of good standing for series LLCs and making them searchable, passed 152-0. HB 1963, allowing social workers to supervise after three years of practice, passed 151-0. HB 2408, removing the appropriation cap for grants serving the deaf-blind community, was perfected and printed. HB 3113, requiring Narcan in public buildings, designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and expanding school-law enforcement prevention efforts, was perfected and printed after discussion about funding and Narcan shelf life. HB 3000, fixing signature requirements for local audits based on population at the start of petitioning and adding a fire district surplus-sale amendment, was perfected and printed as amended. HB 2898, reviving and refining land bank authority and Chapter 141 judicial foreclosure tools, was perfected and printed after debate about neighborhood cleanup and title clearing. HB 1740, renamed Melanie’s Law, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving and strengthening ignition interlock requirements, was perfected and printed following emotional testimony from members and the sponsor’s explanation of the bill’s origins.
At the end of the session, the House moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a fish fry notice. A member also issued a correction and apology regarding an earlier false report about Willie McGee. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Washington County Community Development Agency, as well as the legislative chair for the Minnesota chapter
- c> the</c><00:03:10.879><c> National</c><00:03:11.200><c> Association</c><00:03:11.760><c> of</c> chapter
- of the National Association of chapter of the National Association of Housing<00:03:12.159><c> and</
- of NARO, the National Minnesota chapter of NARO, the National Association<00:07:13.280><c> of</c><00
- revisions of chapter 504B 216 that<00:15:33.920><c> included</c><00:15:34.480><c> utility</c><00:15:
Committee:
House Housing Finance and Policy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the Director of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
- The Texas Chapter supports HB 4543.
- And the Texas Chapter stands ready to assist the committee as the session progresses. Thank you.
- I'm Matt Wagner, Executive Director of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
- The Chapter supports HB 5458.
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:15:11.519><c> sections</c><00:15:11.959><c> of</c><00:15:12.160><c> of</c><00:15:12.320><c> chapter
- </c> suppose obscure sections of of chapter suppose obscure sections of of chapter 10<00:15:13.079><c
- And that's how it's defined in statute under chapter 13.
- </c><00:47:56.480><c> 13</c> it's defined in statute under chapter 13 it's defined in statute under chapter
- 13 question so a 13 Point that's chapter 13 question so maybe<01:04:43.480><c> that's</c><01:04:43.720
Committee:
Senate Elections
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2720, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by section
- The testimony from the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics did highlight the serious
- Senate Bill 1566, an act amending title 9, chapter 4, article 8; title 11, chapter 2, article 4; and
- title 12, chapter 8, article 2.1, and section 12-13-119, relating to residential construction.
- Senate Bill 1172, an act amending Title 41, Chapter 14, and section 41-1971, relating to the Department
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1503, an act amending Title 38, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 6.1 relating to pension
- SB 1585, an act amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section
- SB 1632, an act amending Title 41, Chapter 14, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section
- Senate Bill 1511, an act amending Title 28, Chapter 14, Article 2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by
- Senate Bill 1647, an act amending Title 16, Chapter 6, Article 1.2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am 23 years old, and I am a part of the Bayard chapter with Florida Youth SHINE.
- legislative chair on the statewide board for Florida Youth SHINE and the president of the Jacksonville chapter
- the legislative chair on the statewide board for florida ushine and the president of the jacksville chapter
- is Nicole Williams, and I'm here on behalf of Florida Youth SHINE, representing the Treasure Coast chapter
- My name is Michaela Dallaroo, and I'm a part of the Southwest chapter of Florida Youth SHINE.
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Other Affairs considered four bills. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require DCF and local licensing agencies to publicly post inspection reports and annual data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse in child care facilities, revise notice requirements for certain child care homes, add website disclosure requirements for exempt facilities, address insurance coverage for family and large family child care homes, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, with support noted from United Way of Florida.
The committee then heard SB 1022 on children’s initiatives, which would create two new children’s initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County. The sponsor said the bill would expand local service networks for children in disadvantaged communities with no state fiscal impact. The bill was reported favorably after support was noted from representatives of Florida Children’s Initiative and others.
SB 996 on dependent children drew extensive testimony from Florida Youth SHINE members and other foster youth advocates, who supported the bill’s focus on lived experience, regular consultation with youth-serving organizations, public reporting on implementation, and normalcy in foster care, including allowance to help youth learn budgeting. The bill sponsor said it would help make the system more responsive to youth needs. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 1642 on temporary cash assistance eligibility, narrowing a SNAP-related eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change would remove barriers for trafficking survivors while keeping existing program requirements in place. Both SB 996 and the amended SB 1642 were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned without further business.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the Legislature adopted a long-overdue comprehensive update of Chapter 607
- Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the Legislature adopted a long-overdue comprehensive update of Chapter 607
- Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the legislature adopted a long overdue, comprehensive update of Chapter 607
- dissolution of marriage, and Chapter 742, paternity proceedings.
- Yom Kippur, I believe, Senator, is in Chapter 683.
Summary:
The committee first considered CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility to certain contaminated or brownfield properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added adjacency and density/intensity limits, and excluded agricultural land, park land, land outside the urban growth boundary, and land near military installations. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote, with limited support and opposition noted in waived appearance forms.
Members then took up CS/CS/SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators. The strike-all added public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided: proponents argued the bill would help protect children and law enforcement, while opponents, including treatment experts and homelessness advocates, said there was no empirical evidence the restrictions reduce abuse and warned of retroactive punishment and increased homelessness. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-1.
The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstates to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses and clarifying exclusions for protected areas. Opponents argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive plans, while supporters framed it as a property-rights measure; the bill was reported favorably 10-0. SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a technical update to nonprofit law modeled on prior for-profit corporate revisions, also passed unanimously after supportive waived testimony.
Later, the committee approved SB 1338 on charitable giving, which creates a donor remedy for endowment restrictions and limits state reporting burdens on certain regulated or exempt organizations; members discussed cy pres and the sponsor said further changes would be worked out later. CS/SB 532 on court fees was amended to let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than half, with supporters saying clerks have been underfunded for years; it passed 10-0. The committee also favorably reported SB 218 on land use regulations, which restores normal land-use authority to counties not affected by recent hurricanes, and CS/SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability, which creates a presumption against liability for entities that comply with cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements; the cybersecurity bill drew concerns about retroactivity and the adequacy of compliance incentives but passed 9-2.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the quote today is from Psalms chapter 9, verse 10.
- adversaries, providing legislative intent; amending Title 57, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter
- by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to motor vehicle financial responsibility, amending Chapter
- House Bill 771 by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to industrial hemp, amending Chapter 17,
- Welfare Committee, an act relating to a newborn safety review, providing legislative intent; amending Chapter
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Mar 24th, 2026
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- As the Commonwealth's Inspector General under Chapter 12, OIG investigations and reviews are normally
- This is not the design-build framework for public construction projects under Chapter 149A.
- 149, or Chapter 149 is construction and 7A is the procurement side of it.
- It's my understanding, according to Chapter 12A, Section 10, that that is required.
- So that's defined by Chapter 268A, so that's defined by Chapter 268A, too.
Summary:
The committee met to review MassDOT’s failed service plaza procurement and the Inspector General’s findings. Chair Montigny opened with a broad critique of procurement culture, conflict-of-interest risks, and the need for stronger oversight, saying the committee’s role is bipartisan and investigative and that subpoenas would be used if necessary. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro then summarized his investigatory letter, saying MassDOT had created procedures that could have supported a fair process but did not follow them. He identified eight major problems, including inadequate conflict-of-interest disclosures, undisclosed relationships and communications with Applegreen and Suffolk Construction, violations of contact rules, inconsistent weighting of evaluation subfactors, weak documentation of scoring, unclear information-sharing with subject matter experts, live roll-call scoring that increased perceived bias, and insufficient board/committee review before approval. He recommended clearer disclosure forms, stronger training, better documentation, sealed scoring, clearer rules for internal communications, and more public board involvement.
Committee members pressed the Inspector General on whether the conduct violated law, how to define and police “appearance” of conflicts, whether employees should be held accountable, and whether prior evaluators should be excluded from the new process. Shapiro said his report did not conclude that laws were violated, but that the process was seriously flawed and that accountability should be handled within agencies. He also said he would provide additional written recommendations on broader procurement standards and noted that some oversight functions may need clearer definitions and better recordkeeping across agencies and quasi-public entities. The chair and members emphasized that the problems appeared systemic rather than limited to one administration or one contract.
MassDOT Interim Secretary Phil Ting and Undersecretary Jonathan Gulliver then described the new procurement approach. They said the prior process had been a failure, but that the new effort is a complete reset with no one from the prior evaluation participating. MassDOT plans to split the plazas into three geographic packages, use a design-build/public-private partnership framework, and create a P3 Commission with appointments from the governor, legislative leaders, and treasurer, plus review by the Inspector General and Attorney General. They said the new scoring will be more objective, with financial scoring set at 60% and based on a guaranteed maximum price and other mathematical measures rather than projected revenues, and that technical and financial evaluations will be separated in a double-blind process. Members signaled cautious support for the changes but continued to question whether the new structure and oversight will be enough to prevent a repeat of the earlier procurement failures.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to work with the chapter houses to say, "You are going to be your fiscal agent."
- chapters can use the three certified chapters; otherwise, it's the same scenario.
- Some chapters are good, and some chapters are bad.
- Some chapters don't even know they have three million dollars for a new chapter house.
- , you have, you know, Window Rock to deal with, and the chapters are spread out all over.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And what is interesting about Chapter 9 and how it's comprised is most of the language in Chapter 7.
- And what is interesting about Chapter 9 and how it's comprised is most of the language in Chapter 7.
- And what is interesting about Chapter 9 and how it's comprised is that most of the language in Chapter
- The system as it is today under Chapter 9, in our view, it works.
- Y'all then promulgated another rule, Chapter 64, that would specifically allow testing.
Bills:
SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar.
The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending.
SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we will hear the administration's spending plan for water and coastal resilience chapters and chapters
- We're here to discuss the Water Chapter and the Proposition 4 bond.
- And within the Water Chapter, this includes $51 million for water recycling, $47 million for dam safety
- So the Proposition 4 Water Chapter, The Proposition 4 Water Chapter includes two buckets of funding for
- The California Sea Level Rise Mitigation Act of 2021, Chapter 236, Statutes of 2021, provides funding
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.