Transcript Highlights:

• So to talk about it in ratios or percentages. actually didn't lead to discipline.
• So we do move it to the agency that can address it. ...to address it, so we do move it to the agency
• ; and item number 17, procurement support for the Privacy Protection Agency.
• As a result of the high assessments, we have seen agencies close their doors.
• As a result of the high assessments, we have seen agencies close their doors.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget proposals, beginning with Exposition Park. Park leadership described the 160-acre state property’s historic role, growing visitation, and major upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup fan fest and the 2028 Olympics. The governor’s proposal sought $96.5 million for utility replacement, site improvements, code compliance, accessibility, and public safety/traffic systems, plus $1.698 million for operational sustainability. The LAO said the proposals had merit but suggested the Legislature could consider downscaling some work given the budget condition. Members generally supported the requests, emphasizing deferred maintenance, public access, and the park’s statewide importance; both Exposition Park items were held open. The California Science Center requested funding to open and operate the new Air and Space Center, a major expansion featuring the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The LAO supported the proposal but suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as admission fees, higher parking fees, or private funds. Members debated whether the state should continue to fund operations without charging admission, with the Science Center explaining its public-private funding model and warning that fees could sharply reduce attendance, especially for underserved communities. The item was held open. The committee also reviewed continuation funding for the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s consumer protection and debt collection programs. DFPI and Finance said the requests would extend existing expenditure authority and were not General Fund asks. The LAO supported limited-term funding but urged cumulative reporting or a sunset-style review before permanent funding. Members pressed DFPI on outcomes, workload, and the high cost of the debt collection licensing program, noting that the number of licensees was far below early estimates and that assessments on the industry were substantial. Public commenters from the debt collection industry echoed those concerns, while others supported DFPI’s consumer protection work. The committee then heard a Board of Registered Nursing request for $1.4 million to fund eight special investigators. The board said complaint volume has risen with licensee growth and more complex cases, and members asked about complaint outcomes, regional caseloads, med spa oversight, viral complaints, and bias-related complaints. The board explained its investigation, probation, and intervention processes and said most cases reaching the Attorney General result in discipline. That item was also held open. After public comment on additional agenda items, the committee voted on several vote-only items. Items 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17 were approved 4-0. Items 7, 9, and 14 were also approved, with the chair correcting the tally to 4-0. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates an assistant administrator to lead the office.
• H.R. 8880... agencies' expertise. H.R. 8880 would direct the U.S.
• We're now leading to a point We're now leading to a point where we will be able to make all of those
• the leading cause of death for Black children since 2006.
• Gun violence is the leading cause of death of children in America.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uterine fibroids affect millions of women and are the leading cause of heavy bleeding, infertility and
• agency failures.
• It requires Area Agencies on Aging to procure a contract in excess of 30 thousand dollars.
• The Association of Area Agencies on Aging in support.
• We want to show how Florida can lead in this space.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State agencies secure the systems they operate.
• Agencies then operate their systems within these guardrails.
• And we use a lot of time coordinating mitigation funding through other state agencies, working with agencies
• We have done and are trained to agency all-hazard standards.
• So we have had to do a To agency all-hazard standards.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2579, which would create a Public Media Broadcaster Program and a Digital Equity Program funded by a 20-cent-per-line monthly tax on wireless, prepaid wireless, VoIP, and landline service. Staff explained that 80% of the revenue would support public media grants, 20% would support digital equity grants, and a small share could be used for administration. The prime sponsor, Rep. Chris Stearns, and many public media, community media, and digital equity supporters testified that public radio and television provide emergency alerts, local news, education, training, and community connection, especially in rural and underserved areas, and that federal funding cuts have made state support more urgent. Several witnesses described how public media helped with emergency communications, youth training, Indigenous programming, and access to local information. Opposition came from CTIA and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes. CTIA argued the tax would add to already high wireless taxes in Washington and would be regressive because low-income residents rely heavily on wireless service. Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes objected to the bill as another tax increase and said it would worsen affordability. One supporter said an amendment would be offered to address a misunderstanding in the fiscal note. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then received a cybersecurity and critical infrastructure briefing from state emergency management and cybersecurity officials. They described Washington’s layered cybersecurity model, the role of state agencies, the Fusion Center, WOTEC, the National Guard, and the Emergency Management Division, and the growing threat from ransomware, supply-chain attacks, and AI-enabled attacks. Members asked about volunteer cyber response capacity, the most vulnerable sectors, and whether the legislature should fund more real-time threat monitoring and intelligence sharing. Officials said the state is working to establish a volunteer cyber incident response team and that the main gap is real-time monitoring across participating local and private networks. The committee also heard updates on the December 2025 flooding response and wildfire resilience. Emergency management officials reported widespread flooding, landslides, power outages, evacuations, rescues, and infrastructure damage, but said mitigation investments helped prevent worse outcomes. They identified gaps in statewide alerting, search and rescue coordination, and local emergency management capacity, and said a statewide alert system like Oregon’s would require ongoing funding. In the wildfire update, DNR and partner agencies described increasing wildfire risk, the use of aircraft, AI-enabled detection cameras, and common operating pictures, and ongoing work on hazard and risk mapping, community wildfire preparedness, and home hardening. Members asked about predictive technology, sediment removal, and other mitigation tools, and officials said they are working with universities and federal partners to improve prevention and response.

Transcript Highlights:

• When the federal agencies have pulled back from enforcing consumer protection, When federal agencies
• And we are leading the way.
• And we are leading the way.
• Some agencies we should be, and if we look at New York State as a model, they're high-risk agencies,
• , even if that agency is a bit lower risk, even if that agency doesn't deal with, even if that agency

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the agency.
• We'll start with two of the three of the tri-agency.
• And so we spend a lot of time as agencies... agencies translating identification numbers that middle
• Education Agency to try to be brief.
• To strengthen and expand prekindergarten, we have launched an initiative between the two agencies. agencies

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do our various agencies know what other agencies are getting in grant funding from that same agency?
• And so we did work well across agencies on that with procurement, OMB, NDIT.
• And typically, we try to follow the lead lender's financing terms.
• These are the agencies that are on the governor's Workforce Sub-Cabinet.
• , the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, and the Department of Commerce.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Brenda Bass, on behalf of Mojave Water Agency...
• Agencies like Fish and Wildlife need better tools, planning, and long-term capacity.
• With that, I'll turn to our lead witnesses here.
• Lead witnesses in opposition? Any other witnesses in support? Lead witnesses in opposition?
• Lead witnesses in opposition? Any other witnesses in support? Lead witnesses in opposition?

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would allow the director to enter into cooperative agreements with federal agencies, The division
• It's just we're all kind of like the blind leading the blind. So this was so timely for me.
• Service that an agency is doing that is funded by the federal government.
• In addition, we attended one of the leading identity conferences out there called Identity.
• I just want to congratulate you on taking a lead.

Committee: Joint Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a volunteer for the state lead, I'm the state lead, a volunteer for a grassroots national initiative
• The bill requires facilities to stop payment to a referral agency if the relationship between the agency
• We call that a life of lead.
• We call that a life of lead.
• they don't want to work with that lead aggregator.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Greg, are you leading this? Yes. Okay. So, Greg, please go ahead. Thank you, Mr.
• toward for the last 11 years since I came to the agency.
• And then finally, on page four, we have the agency budget.
• We actually have a very consistent At the agency, throughout the agency. State government.
• Many times staff will leave an agency and go to a new agency because that's the only way that they can

Transcript Highlights:

• These added steps cost time and money, leading to higher permit fees.
• We are leading the nation.
• This bill will reduce, from 60 days down to 30 days, the period of time a lead agency has to approve
• or deny an affordable housing project's environmental impact report, or EIR, from when the lead agency
• And as my colleague said, San Diego is proud to lead on this.

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:

• It's its own agency, and I'm actually on the council there, along with Representative Ryer from the House
• So it's a great opportunity for Minnesota to lead, and I really appreciate your consideration of this
• It's very comparable to other state agencies.
• In fact, it's on the low average end of other state agencies.
• </c> operating um with 1.8 FTE state agencies operating um with 1.8 FTE state agencies typically<00:09

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1501, which would fund the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council and make the current fiscal year 2025 budget its permanent base. Representative Murphy said the bill would provide about $342,000 in general fund money for the 2026-27 cycle and argued that the council helps shorten diagnosis times, support research, and keep Minnesota a leader in rare disease work. Erica Barnes, the council’s executive director, testified in support and explained that the council was established in 2022 to improve care for the estimated one in 10 Minnesotans living with a rare disease. She said the council needs the full $668,000 level it operated with this year to maintain its statutory duties, noting that the current ongoing base is about $326,000 and that the extra funding was previously one-time money. Barnes described the barriers faced by rare disease patients, including long diagnostic delays, limited provider knowledge, and the fact that only a small share of rare diseases have FDA-approved treatments. She said rare disease care is costly to the health system and that the council has used prior funding to convene the community more regularly and carry out its work. Representative Leing questioned why the budget should be doubled and asked what additional work the council would do with the higher amount; Barnes responded that without the larger ongoing appropriation the council would fall back to 1.8 FTE and would have to stop some programs. Representative Hingson Jger spoke in support, saying the council’s collaboration has been valuable for policy work in the genetic and rare disease space. In closing, Murphy emphasized Minnesota’s leadership in rare disease and shared a personal story about how diagnosis and treatment changed his family’s life. No public testimony was offered. The chair then laid House File 1501 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thrilled to see members of the news media as well as our agency partners, infrastructure colleagues
• In fact, we commend these government governmental agencies for their hard work and dedication to serving
• It is through the hard work of the report card committee and the agencies that oversee the respective
• Leading the way in wind power energy production.
• While Texas leads the nation in Fortune 500 companies and gross exports, we stand as the 8th largest

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, our agency is primarily... Mr.
• Director takes the operation lead.
• , those two entities in the agency.
• this important agency.
• this important agency.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this very, very complicated and important agency.
• After five years of leading this very, very complicated and important agency, I want to just take a moment
• And so things like that will lead to build in California.
• And so things like that will lead to build in California.
• New York, in particular, now leads the nation.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission creates safer conditions that lead to better reentry outcomes.
• work on that. ...agency and a state and a commonwealth and a group of humans to work on that.
• This leads to the retention issues we are currently faced with, which leads to more staffing shortages
• This is an evidence-based approach from a leading country in recidivism, the Norwegian model.
• The additional resources can and do provide to both the law enforcement agencies is parallel.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on union and correctional staff testimony. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Union representatives from KOUF, NCEU, AFSCME, and local county correctional unions described the daily realities of correctional work, emphasizing staff safety, staffing shortages, retention problems, mental health impacts, and the need to preserve local sheriff’s offices and collective bargaining agreements. Testimony centered on several recurring concerns: violence inside facilities, the spread of synthetic drugs such as K2, inmate suicides and suicide attempts, and the strain these issues place on officers, EMS, and local resources. Speakers also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing they can create safety and workplace issues for staff, and urged more support for officer wellness, debriefing, and programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses argued that county facilities should remain locally controlled and that consolidation with the Department of Correction would weaken programming, staffing, and community-based reentry work. One witness described the Norwegian correctional model as a possible source of ideas for more rehabilitative approaches. Commission members responded with support for correctional staff and asked questions about K2 detection, paperless systems, EMS transports, and possible metrics to quantify incidents and facility needs. Members also discussed the importance of individualized assessments of each facility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The commission voted to seek an extension of its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30, and agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit and a June 15 hearing. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're still waiting on some approvals from these agencies to be able to move forward.
• You walk into a state agency, they're using AI.
• We've been leading that effort.
• We're not the last; in fact, we lead in certain aspects in this country.
• She's one of our lead test engineers there. For Patrick.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Are any of these your lead witness? No. Are any of these your lead witness? No.
• We'll move to lead witnesses in opposition. Seeing none.
• Would you like to have a seat at the table since you're a lead witness in opposition?
• gave the water agencies the ability to follow the same regulations to your point.
• Why are we taking away the power of public agencies to make their decisions?

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll take my lead from you.
• Claire, are there a number of agencies where, for economy of scale, rather than agencies having their
• Claire, are there a number of agencies where, for economy of scale, rather than agencies having their
• All that combined leads us to an increase.
• Those aren't leading to the charges we're talking about.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.