Transcript Highlights:

• day dedicated to the selfless decision to register as an organ, eye, or tissue donor and have an impact
• At inflated costs, inflated costs, we've spent hundreds of millions of dollars from this emergency response
• , meaningful impact on Miami-Dade County Days and on generations... them a big warm welcome.
• , meaningful impact on Miami-Dade County Days and on generations ...has left a lasting and impactful,
• meaningful impact on Miami-Dade County Days and on generations of young artists.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clarity there, I just did not want to impact our rolling stock.
• If it's like more than several years down the way, but the real impact is.
• , or if it impacts, when schools go out and do bond issuances?
• its impact.
• I mean, coming out of COVID, from inflation, worker shortage.

Bills: HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22 , HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• They have real impacts in our neighborhoods.
• This disproportionately impacts smaller cities with fewer staff and rigid constraints.
• It's not even tied to CPI, not tied to inflation rates.
• So this is hugely impactful in people's lives, hugely impactful on our economy, and...
• This impacts all county departments, including our indigent defense providers.

Summary: The committee heard several local government-related bills, with testimony focused on permitting, transportation funding, EV infrastructure, and commercial revitalization. AB 1578 by Assembly Member Jackson would require elected local and state officials to take anti-hate speech training through existing sexual harassment training. Supporters said elected officials should understand the impact of their words on hate and democracy; opponents argued the bill lacked a definition of hate speech and could chill protected speech, especially around sex-based issues. AB 2083, also by Jackson, would authorize a regional child care special district serving Moreno Valley and Paris to expand child care facilities and programs for five years. The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions opposed the bill’s mechanism but said it was working with the author. AB 1693 by Assembly Member Suber would streamline retail tenant improvement permits by extending a process similar to a prior restaurant permitting law, with qualified professional certification and tighter local review timelines. It drew broad support from retail, business, and property groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Gonzalez presented AB 1679, which would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies and lower barriers for small businesses; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced. Gonzalez also presented AB 2418, which would set timelines for nonresidential plan checks and inspections and allow private plan checkers after excessive delay. Business groups supported it as a way to reduce costly delays, while local government groups had no position but continued discussions with the author; the bill advanced with amendments. Assembly Member Shevlin presented AB 1820, which would cap local permit fees for EV charging installations and create a statewide fee schedule. Supporters said fees vary too widely and can deter charger deployment, while cities and counties argued existing law already requires reasonable cost recovery and that the bill could undercut local budgets and public safety review. Assembly Member DeMaio presented AB 1783, which would prohibit state and local mileage taxes or road user charges. Supporters framed it as a defense against a new tax burden, while opponents said studying road user charges is necessary to address declining gas tax revenue and future transportation funding needs. AB 1693, AB 1679, and AB 2418 were moved forward with motions and roll calls; AB 1783 was taken up with a motion and roll call left open, and AB 1820 remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> indirect, let alone cumulative impacts. indirect, let alone cumulative impacts.
• </c> denial than understand the full impact denial than understand the full impact that<00:59:40.240>
• </c> impacts are reasonably foreseeable. impacts are reasonably foreseeable.
• Don't even consider the impacts.
• Don't even consider the impacts.

Bills: HR498 , HR845 , HR1366 , HB4776

Keywords: antisemitism, Jewish safety, civil rights, hate crimes, freedom of expression, political protest, drowsy driving, road safety, public awareness, preventative measures, traffic accidents, NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act, environmental review, permitting reform, permit streamlining, infrastructure, economic development, federal agencies, categorical exclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• subdivisions like Burleson to make predictable pricing adjustments annually based on the Medicare Ambulance Inflation
• I have numerous patient examples that demonstrate how this negatively impacts patients' cancer experience
• Will this impact PBM profits?
• Would it impact the employer? Absolutely.
• I agree with you right there with property taxes, and I think inflation and the cost of goods sold, whether

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This reduction would not only impact families like mine, but most importantly, it would Impact families
• We think it's an appropriate inflation adjustment, and it goes up $50,000 every five years as an inflation
• Families ask themselves, well, this impacts services for my child.
• And our impact has been proven by data.
• And our impact has been proven by data.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeing the impact that that has had on inflation.
• , life-changing impacts for huge impacts, life-changing impacts for Minnesotans<00:32:29.040><c> and<
• So you see the impact, um, you can sort of see the impact of that, uh, there.
• So you see the impact, um, you can sort of see the impact of that, uh, there.
• So you see the impact, um, you can sort of see the impact of that, uh, there.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So to better understand business impacts, we conduct So to better understand business impacts, we conducted
• So it does have real impacts.
• Where this impact hit the hardest.
• federal actions, impacting our businesses and impacting our overall workforce, it's important that we
• Instead, we assess impact.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. In opening remarks, the chair argued that federal actions, including immigration enforcement, tariffs, and cuts to safety-net programs, are harming workers, employers, and communities, and said the committee wanted to document impacts and identify state responses. The first panel featured economist Enrique Lopez Lira of UC Berkeley, who described slow job growth, wage pressures, high housing and care costs, and the large share of California workers in low-wage jobs. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care work. The chair asked about recession indicators, middle-wage stagnation, and which sectors rely most on safety-net programs, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing and unions were a source of hope. A second panel focused on federal immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores presented research finding that private-sector employment in enforcement-targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods, with California experiencing unprecedented declines in 2025. He urged policymakers to consider wage-replacement or stimulus-style support for affected workers, including excluded workers who cannot access unemployment insurance. Shannon Sedgwick of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in the county economy, generating substantial economic activity and supporting over a million jobs. She reported that intensified enforcement in Los Angeles County was associated with business disruptions, reduced sales and customer traffic, workforce instability, lower transit ridership in vulnerable areas, and losses from the downtown curfew. Committee members asked about impacts on small businesses, tax revenue, and recovery, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and know-your-rights efforts as partial responses. The hearing then heard from worker representatives. Flore Melendres of the Clean Car Wash Worker Center said car washes have been heavily targeted by federal agents, with hundreds of workers taken from workplaces, many businesses disrupted or closed, and workers living in fear; she urged support for AB 2271 to provide financial benefits to families who lost income because of DHS activity. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos said H.R. 1’s Medi-Cal and Covered California cuts threaten hospital finances, jobs, and patient care, and she backed CalCare (AB 1900), a hospital closure moratorium, and more support for nursing education. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts are putting UC research funding and postdoctoral jobs at risk and endorsed SB 895, a proposed bond measure for health and scientific research. AFGE representatives Wallace Wade and Kendrick Roberson described the strain on federal workers during shutdowns, unpaid work, staffing losses, and the effects on TSA, Social Security, VA services, and worker housing stability; they supported SB 1155 to protect federal workers from eviction. Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the testimony showed both the human and economic consequences of federal policy. In the final panel, employer groups began responding to the same federal pressures. California Retailers Association president Rachel Michelin said retail is a major private-sector employer and a key entry point for young workers, and that retailers are seeing the effects of rising costs, supply-chain shifts, and consumer pressure at the checkout counter. The hearing continued with additional employer testimony beyond the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of other large loads that might have the impact of affecting rates for other customers?
• The bill has a fiscal impact not in the governor's budget, and I'm happy to take questions.
• That ensures new high-demand customers are accountable for the impacts they have on the system.
• That's a significant departure that will have long-term impacts for the CCA program. Thanks.
• That's a significant departure that will have long-term impacts for the CCA program. Thanks.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• bureaucracies so that they can get their things done quickly because time is money, especially in times of inflation
• It was supposed to go up every year with inflation.
• Can you talk about how that impacts the fiscal note at $138,000?
• I mean, I suspected, as we always do around here, that occasionally fiscal notes are inflated for factors

Summary: The Legislative Rules Committee held a public hearing and then executive session on Senate Bill 1694, along with related Senate Bill 1688, which together would modernize and expand the Missouri Downtown and Rural Economic Stimulus Act (MODESA). Senator Steve Roberts said the bills would increase flexibility for redevelopment projects, broaden financing tools, extend timelines, and expand residential incentives, with no general fund risk. Supporters, including lobbyists for the Cordish Companies, the City of Kansas City, the City of St. Louis, Greater St. Louis Inc., Historic Revitalization for Missouri, and BioSTL/Next Missouri, argued the program has already helped transform downtown Kansas City and St. Louis and could spur major redevelopment such as Ballpark Village, Power & Light, the Millennium Hotel area, the AT&T Tower, and the Railway Exchange Building. They emphasized private investment, local control, and the potential to bring vacant buildings back onto the tax rolls. One witness, the state public advocate, opposed SB 1694, arguing it would create more bureaucracy and political subdivisions, rely on tax abatements and TIF-like tools, and shift costs to taxpayers. Committee members asked questions about the bill’s residential language, the history of MODESA projects, the fiscal note, and whether the incentives could apply to other downtown sites. Supporters clarified that the committee substitute removed a proposed income-tax incentive, reduced some escalators, and retained a voluntary, opt-in structure for cities. The chair also noted that stadiums themselves are excluded, though surrounding areas may qualify. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and voted 10-0 to do pass the House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1694 and 1688. The committee then voted 8-2 to do pass Senate Substitute Number 2 for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Brown, and 8-0 with two present votes to do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 889, which the chair described as a large cleanup bill removing obsolete statutes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bureaucracies so that they can get their things done quickly because time is money, especially in times of inflation
• It was supposed to go up every year with inflation. That's gone.
• Can you talk about how that impacts the fiscal note at $138,000?
• I mean, I suspected, as we always do around here, that occasionally fiscal notes are inflated for factors

Committee: House Rules - Legislative

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> struggled under crushing inflation struggled under crushing inflation driven<01:02:13.520><c> by
• </c> recovering from the crushing inflation recovering from the crushing inflation and<01:26:33.840><
• Democrats fueled inflation.
• Democrats fueled inflation.
• </c> about the devastating impact about the devastating impact that<03:49:23.279><c> Donald</c><03:49

Transcript Highlights:

• New York's Tuition Assistance Program, or TAP, has not kept pace with inflation or rising tuition costs
• budget that exercises fiscal restraint and addresses the growing challenge of college affordability impacting
• NEW YORK'S TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR TAP HAS NOT KEPT WITH INFLATION OR RISING TUITION COSTS SINCE
• BUDGET THAT EXERCISES FISCAL RESTRAINT AND ADDRESSES THE GROWING CHALLENGE OF COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY IMPACTING

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee met to discuss budget priorities for SUNY, CUNY, community colleges, TAP, student aid, and capital funding. Chair Toby Ann Stavisky emphasized the need for increased operating and capital support, protection against enrollment-based funding losses, no tuition increases, a review of TAP because it has not kept pace with living costs, and action on student loan access and research funding cuts. Assembly Chair Alicia Hyndman outlined the Assembly’s higher education proposal, including $475.7 million to expand TAP eligibility, raising income thresholds for TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship, creating a graduate tuition assistance program, adding community college operating aid, expanding the Opportunity Promise Scholarship, forgiving SUNY hospital debt service, increasing CUNY operating support, restoring opportunity program funding, creating a $110 million student loan support program called New York Rises, and funding five-year capital plans for SUNY and CUNY plus additional ECAP grants. Members broadly supported making higher education more affordable and accessible, while highlighting district-specific needs. Senator May praised SUNY Reconnect, community college workforce programs, hospital debt service relief, and a five-year SUNY capital plan. Senator Gonzalez framed the budget as an investment in economic mobility. Senator Griffo supported affordability, operating and capital aid, and additional support for medical schools and hospitals. Assembly Members Walker, Colton, and Fall backed TAP expansion, opportunity programs, disability supports, SUNY Downstate’s transformation, and capital needs at CUNY and SUNY campuses. Assembly Member Smullen, speaking for the minority conference, urged a five-way budget process, said TAP has not kept pace with inflation, and called for a more stable long-term funding model for community colleges. He also stressed aligning higher education with workforce needs. Assembly Member Pirozzolo pointed to the College of Staten Island as an example of the benefits of investment and warned that employers recruiting students directly from high school could weaken higher education unless colleges continue strengthening trade and career training. The meeting ended with no vote on the budget items, and the chairs adjourned the conference committee after concluding remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see how raising spending by 10.8 percent when the rate of inflation is 2.4 percent contributes
• THE I DON'T SEE HOW RAISING SPENDING BY 10.8 PERCENT WHEN THE RATE OF INFLATION IS 2.4 PERCENT CONTRIBUTES
• School, which definitely impacts the affordability of those families and the affordability of the individuals
• Senate and the Assembly can continue to advocate for policy changes that will positively impact the ability

Summary: The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations. A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes. Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system. Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the state calls for education of future generations about the history and the impact of the
• And whereas the state calls for education of future generations about the history and the impact of the
• Utility Commission; SCR 1018, same-sex marriage constitutional right; SB 1020, elective state officers inflation
• SCR 1020, elective state officers inflation. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and recorded attendance. Members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Noel Campbell, and several guest groups were recognized in the gallery, including Greater Phoenix school district leaders, GCU Government and History Club students, Arizona Food Bank Network representatives, and local and tribal officials visiting for appropriations and transportation-related discussions. The chamber also adopted a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Senators and guests offered remarks about the Holocaust, rising antisemitism, and the importance of education and remembrance, followed by a moment of silence. Later, the Senate received and unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2045 honoring the life and public service of former Congressman Raul Grijalva, with members of the Grijalva family present on the floor and several senators sharing personal tributes. The Senate then processed a long list of governor’s nominations, first readings, and second-reading bill referrals, including measures on natural resources, education, health, public safety, elections, taxation, utilities, and appropriations. Senator Bolick also read a proclamation for National School Choice Week. The body recessed briefly, returned to consider SCR 1036 on Attorney General public statements, and then received committee announcements before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the kind of impact small businesses can have when we're given the chance to.
• That's the kind of impact small businesses can have when we're given the chance to.
• It can impact everyone.
• It can impact everyone, regardless of their income level.
• AI is impacting all of us.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's that attributed to: construction cost, inflation? Can you elaborate?
• The idea is to lower the impact of the needed fee increase.
• It will impact.
• what we thought that impact was going to be.
• that I created with my collaborator with the help of the Impact Grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that I'm not sure the impact it's going to have on them.
• I did want to comment the second time today I've heard a vastly inflated MoDOT-flavored fiscal note.
• The impact would unfairly fall on our small...
• So then do you inflate your other tow rates to compensate for that, or do you just lose the money all
• So then do you inflate your other toe rates? from the ones you're telling me.

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the other thing can be inflation—just the cost of care, medical inflation.
• Obviously, that's much higher than the rate of inflation.
• These factors impact our Medicaid population and the overall Medicaid costs.
• Behavioral need, service gaps, and disproportionate impact.
• Instead, it's in a funding formula on page 18, and the disproportionate impact criteria is.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• debate and it makes it more difficult for the public to hold elected officials accountable for the impact
• debate and it makes it more difficult for the public to hold elected officials accountable for the impact
• This amendment essentially locks in the impact of the recession and makes it more difficult to recover
• This amendment essentially locks in the impact of the recession and makes it more difficult to recover
• </c> you know will increase inflation you know will increase inflation decrease<00:30:08.000><c> GDP<