Transcript Highlights:

• This time we'll call the seventh meeting of the House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance to
• This will very likely be the final meeting of the House Banking and Insurance Committee for this session
• meeting<00:19:16.960><c> of</c><00:19:17.280><c> the</c><00:19:17.480><c> House</c><00:19:17.800><c> Banking
• </c><00:19:18.200><c> and</c> meeting of the House Banking and meeting of the House Banking and Insurance

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> My name is Bella Banks, and I'm a sophomore here at Letcher County Central High School.
• And Kaylee Coleman's not here, but Bella Banks is going to answer this question.
• c><00:14:24.320><c> here,</c><00:14:24.480><c> but</c><00:14:24.720><c> Bella</c><00:14:25.040><c> Banks
• </c><00:14:25.760><c> is</c> Coleman's not here, but Bella Banks is Coleman's not here, but Bella Banks

Committee: House Tourism & Outdoor Recreation

Transcript Highlights:

• Banke. Brown. Banke. Braun. Chapman. Christian. Conway. Cortes. Ingra. Osjured. Fortunato.
• Banke. Braun. Chapman.
• Banke. Brown. Chapman. Christian. Cleveland. Conway.
• Banke. Braun. Chapman. Christian. Cleveland. Conway. Cortez. Aye. Ingra. Aye. Osier. Fortunato.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of tax, economic, judicial, education, and health-related bills, often after adopting technical or clarifying amendments. Major measures included Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, which restores recent estate tax changes while preserving last year’s increase in the exclusion amount and inflation adjustment; Substitute Senate Bill 6289, directing the Department of Commerce to create a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan; and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6162, expanding and simplifying senior citizen property tax relief. Senators supporting these bills emphasized tax administration, economic growth, and relief for seniors, while opponents raised concerns about regressivity, revenue losses, and tax shifts to other taxpayers. The chamber also passed bills extending or clarifying tax preferences and fees, including Senate Bill 6244 (extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products), Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6113 (technical corrections to Department of Revenue tax law guidance, after removing a disputed section on advertising tax invalidation), Senate Bill 6114 (defining “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes), Senate Bill 5970 (making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent), Senate Bill 5832 (raising the motor vehicle arbitration fee to support the Lemon Law program), and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6262 (expanding the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees). Debate on these measures centered on whether they were modest administrative updates or additional burdens on taxpayers and businesses. Several non-tax bills also advanced. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6086 strengthened security for judicial officers and court personnel, with amendments clarifying terminology and adding industrial appeals judges to the definition of judicial officers. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 transferred early literacy programs, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Reach Out and Read, from DCYF to OSPI. Senate Bill 5868 added one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, and Substitute Senate Bill 5923 reclassified a Skagit County hospital as a critical access hospital to improve reimbursement and help it remain viable. The Senate also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5520, revising the Wrongly Convicted Persons Act to improve compensation procedures, despite debate over whether to include civil detention-related claims. Most bills passed by constitutional majorities, with a few recorded nays and one division vote on an amendment; the Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the representative here, but I represent Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin as the executive director,
• MNBA, or Mother's Milk Bank of Austin, was founded. ...because of the need for human milk when moms can't
• Texas is fortunate; we have two non-profit milk banks.
• organizations who are making such a big difference when it comes to... ...donor milk, Mother's Milk Bank
• of North Texas, which is also mentioned in the resolution, and Mother's Milk Bank, which is mentioned

Bills: HB321 , HB 1027 , HB 1295 , HB1782 , HB2295 , HCR29 , HCR56

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: Medicaid, child health, express lane option, income verification, supplemental nutrition assistance, telepharmacy, healthcare access, remote dispensing, rural clinics, pharmacy regulations, health literacy, state health plan, health care, patient outcomes, public health, economic impact, healthcare, breast cancer, cervical cancer, insurance eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• roll out these programs — these education programs and free concert programs — they need money in the bank
• The witness said that, to roll out these programs, they need money in the bank so they can deliver them
• 00:18:54.400><c> the</c> conert programs we need money in the conert programs we need money in the bank
• 55.480><c> deliver</c><00:18:55.880><c> them</c><00:18:56.280><c> as</c><00:18:56.400><c> soon</c> bank
• to be able to deliver them as soon bank to be able to deliver them as soon as<00:18:56.840><c> possible

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on March 14, 2025, and heard two measures. On SB 441 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, the committee received strong support from the orchestra, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, IATSE Local 665, and an in-person testifier, with testimony emphasizing statewide access to music, education and community programming, cultural value, economic impact, and job stability for musicians and staff. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and suggested language related to the State Endowment Fund. Committee members asked about how the funding would be used, the orchestra’s reach, and its history; the orchestra said it preferred direct operating support and described its audience and employment footprint, neighbor-island outreach, and plans to expand season length and education programs. The committee then heard SB 1581 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Japan Pacific Peace Monument. No testifier from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was present, and no one testified on Zoom. With no discussion from witnesses, the measure was briefly taken up and later advanced. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments to SB 441 SD1, including a preamble describing legislative intent and the orchestra’s history, references to the State of Hawaiʻi endowment fund and statewide public benefits, and language ensuring the funds support statewide purposes and neighbor-island access to music and educational opportunities. The committee also added a deferral date of July 1, 3000 and technical amendments, then voted to pass the measure with amendments. SB 1581 SD1 was also passed forward with amendments, including a July 1, 3000 deferral date and technical changes, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• from that phone bank did, and and uh we won big, but a couple days after the election I made my way
• she</c><02:35:05.120><c> she</c><02:35:05.480><c> if</c><02:35:05.640><c> she</c> Jane ran a phone bank
• and she she if she Jane ran a phone bank and she she if she didn't<02:35:05.960><c> personally</c><02
• 08.760><c> phone</c> the district, somebody from that phone the district, somebody from that phone bank
• did and and uh we we won big, but bank did and and uh we we won big, but couple<02:35:13.680><c> days

Transcript Highlights:

• If you've got a credit that you've already banked from the past, the entity tax, you're going to have
• If you've got a credit that you've already banked from the past, the entity tax, you're going to have
• </c><00:10:14.079><c> a</c> back on because they've already banked a back on because they've already
• So we know that they bank some money and here's how much they're taking.
• So we know that they bank some from.

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline. Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue. The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is it the role of the state to be in the banking business?
• <c> Bratton</c><00:47:01.680><c> Brown</c> Angelos Banks Bear Brady Bratton Brown Angelos Banks Bear
• Andrew Angelos Banks Andrew Angelos Banks Banks Bear Bear Bear Brady Brady Brady Bratton<01:43:31.840
• &gt;&gt; Andrew Angelos Banks &gt;&gt; Andrew Angelos Banks Bear Bear Bear Brady<03:22:15.279><c> Bratton
• Andrew Angelos Banks Andrew Angelos Banks excused.<04:05:03.680><c> Bear,</c><04:05:05.120><c> Brady,

Transcript Highlights:

• I use a very small local bank, just two locations in Arizona. They're based in South Dakota, right?
• Great, great bank. Love them.
• So, I mean, this is something, I mean, this is a teeny tiny bank, right?
• Why is it that a small bank... This agency in terms of state and federal.
• Why is it that a small bank based out of Potoc, South Dakota, can have these processes in place?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum. Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great, great bank. Love them. Okay.
• So, I mean, this is something, I mean, this is a teeny tiny bank, right?
• Why is it that a small bank... This agency in terms of state and federal.
• Why is it that a small bank based out of Potoc, South Dakota, can have these processes in place?
• I mean, again, going back to my bank example, I mean...

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• She was terrified because the scammer had convinced her to get into her online banking account, had somehow
• . ...convinced her he had moved some money, and in the confusion was getting her to go down to the bank
• Association, Aging Association of Idaho Cities, Association of Counties, Banking Association, Credit
• One of the worst I have seen was a 72-year-old victim who was contacted by criminals posing as Chase Bank
• They convinced her to withdraw $117,000 from her bank account and deposit it into these machines in an

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 606, the Secretary will read: An act relating to exempting food banks from the retail sales
• An act relating to exempting food banks from the retail sales tax imposed on certain services.
• And while I have not heard a very loud outcry from food banks, including not hearing from ones in my
• And what this does is exactly what the title says it does is it exempts food banks from having to pay
• And while I have not heard a very loud outcry from food banks, including not hearing from ones in my

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• or gift with the county treasurer, the governing board must deposit the grant or gift in a separate bank
• repeals the requirement for a governing board to deposit specified grants or gifts into a separate bank
• grant or gift is not deposited with the county treasurer and directs a governing board to close the bank
• or gift with the county treasurer, the governing board must deposit the grant or gift in a separate bank
• repeals the requirement for a governing board to deposit specified grants or gifts into a separate bank

Bills: SB1004 , SB1424 , SB1497 , SB1507 , SB1572 , SB1684 , SB1711 , SB1741 , SB1754 , SB1763 , SB1798 , SCR1012 , SCR1041 , SCR1051

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Transcript Highlights:

• from somewhere or drive too fast, fast, fast, but we were the ones whose cars they rescued from snow banks
• ones whose cars they rescued<00:02:50.480><c> from</c><00:02:50.959><c> snow</c><00:02:51.440><c> banks
• ,</c><00:02:52.640><c> refusing</c> rescued from snow banks, refusing rescued from snow banks, refusing
• </c> Members, we will begin with House Bill 648, which is an act relating to banking, insurance, and
• Please listen to the third reading of the bill: H. 648, an act relating to banking, insurance, and securities

Transcript Highlights:

• And then if we want to have ready on deck for the second panel in-person, Brad Banks.
• For example, if the FBI arrests a bank robber, kidnapper, or something... ...case.
• And last but not least, Brad Banks... Thanks for your testimony.
• And last but not least, Brad Banks, you may begin.
• Brad Banks here on behalf of the Association of Counties, here in support of Senate Bill 6080.

Bills: SB5917 , SB6080 , SB6085 , SB5940 , SB5945 , SB5957 , SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access, medication abortion, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage management, Department of Corrections, Department of Health, health care providers, health care entities, Indian health care providers, pharmacy distribution, wholesale distribution, reproductive rights, women's health, emergency clause, immediate effect, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes important investments in reproductive health and food banks to help those who have already
• , including funds to mitigate the state's CalFresh payment error rate, funds to support local food banks
• For context, for every one meal provided by food banks, CalFresh provides nine.
• The CalFood investment for food banks will allow us to start...
• Additionally, we're also grateful for funds dedicated to emergency food banks to support families and

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while, due to fiscal conservatives
• Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while, due to fiscal conservatives
• Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while, due to fiscal conservatives
• Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while, due to fiscal conservatives
• Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while, due to fiscal conservatives

Summary: House Democratic leaders and House Republican leaders announced a compromise set of budget targets reached Friday night, describing it as a numbers-only deal that leaves policy issues aside. They said the targets are the first step in the budget process: House committee chairs will write bills to fit the targets, those bills will go to Ways and Means, and later leaders will negotiate global targets with the governor and Senate. Leaders emphasized that the agreement reflects compromise rather than either party’s ideal budget, and that they will continue talks with Governor Walz and the Senate over the next several weeks. The speakers highlighted what was not included in the deal, saying it does not target paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, reproductive rights, or universal school meals. They said the House priorities that did make it in include housing, education, pensions, public safety, and transportation. On education, they said the compromise provides $40 million in new money in the first biennium for the READ Act and no cuts in either biennium, contrasting that with larger cuts in the governor’s and Senate proposals. They also said schools could still choose to fund unemployment insurance for school workers from existing resources, though it was not earmarked in the targets. Leaders said the agreement leaves room for committee chairs to make choices within the targets, including in health and human services, where they described the target as a reduction in projected growth rather than a cut to existing appropriations. They said the budget plan sets aside discretionary inflation adjustments in the first biennium while preserving inflation indexing for items like the K-12 formula. They also said the deal improves the state’s long-term balance, with a projected $1.6 billion balance in the first biennium and a $1.3 billion deficit in the second, and that the House’s numbers do not include the same revenue assumptions as the governor’s and Senate’s plans. In questions, leaders said conference committees will require majority support from both House and Senate conferees, and that the House will send equal numbers of Democratic and Republican conferees. They said the bonding bill size is still under discussion, but the adopted numbers would allow for roughly a $700 million general obligation bill. They also said large state spending for professional sports facilities is likely over, and explained that the press conference was held without Republican leaders for logistical reasons after the deal was reached late Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Banks and credit unions have an opposed-and-less-amended position.
• The federal government sets bank holidays.
• And other than bank holidays, banks and credit unions must have their doors wide open so customers can
• And just to clarify, this just came out of banking yesterday.
• We clarified that this just came out of Banking yesterday.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on public safety, consumer protection, and youth harms. AB 1557 by Assemblymember Papin would clarify e-bike motor power limits and set lower speed-related standards for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, cities, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued the bill would reduce severe injuries and deaths among young riders. Opponents from People for Bikes warned it could conflict with federal law, create legal uncertainty, and disrupt the bicycle market. The author and committee members acknowledged industry concerns and urged continued work on the bill. AB 1770 by Assemblymember Garcia would place large health care service plan arbitration under California Department of Justice oversight and require compliance with the California Arbitration Act. Supporters described cases where patients were forced into private arbitration with little transparency or accountability, arguing the bill would make the process fairer and more neutral. Kaiser Permanente and the Civil Justice Association of California said they were still reviewing amendments and had not settled on a final position. Committee members expressed sympathy for the personal stories shared and encouraged continued negotiations. The committee also heard AB 2075, which would require fire suppression equipment to be kept closer at hand during brush work, and AB 1864, which would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism. AB 2075 was presented as a response to a Ventura County wildfire, with support from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office and no opposition heard. AB 1864 was backed by the author, Stanford biosecurity expert Dr. Milana Trout, and Encode AI, while Biocom opposed unless amended and California Life Sciences remained neutral. Members discussed implementation details and the role of the Department of Public Health. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with harmful features and create an e-safety advisory commission. Supporters, including youth advocates, parents, medical groups, and Common Sense Media, said addictive design features are harming children’s mental health and safety. Opponents, including EFF, the ACLU, TechNet, and other civil liberties and industry groups, argued the bill is overbroad, raises First Amendment and privacy concerns, and could limit access to important online communities. Despite those objections, the bill was moved forward after committee discussion, with members emphasizing the need to protect children while continuing to work on carveouts and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Banks? >> Here. >> Here. >> Representative Geringer?
• Representative Banks: I. Representative Geringer: I. Representative Larson: I.
• Seconded by Banks, committee. This one here did have a few more amendments.
• >> Moved by Garinger. >> Seconded by Banks.
• >> Moved by Garinger. >> Seconded by Banks.

Bills: SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a mitigation bank in the San Luis Rey. It's all spent out now.
• But AB 399 would create blue carbon mitigation banks to do exactly what you want to do.
• We do it with land banks, but we don't do it when it comes to water.
• And that's what AB 399 was meant to do with my blue carbon banks.
• So this group is working, again, to create a nonprofit seed bank.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on the impacts of rising seas on coastal infrastructure, pollution, public health, access, and local economies, with an emphasis on San Diego and broader statewide examples. Chair Tasha Boerner opened by describing sea level rise, flooding, bluff collapse, and the state’s sea level rise action planning, and noted her prior bills that helped launch a Scripps bluff-collapse early warning pilot. Panel one featured Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps and Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, who described accelerating sea level rise, groundwater rise, flooding, erosion, and risks to sewage, transportation, ports, and contaminated sites. Gibson stressed that agencies are already adapting through permits, climate resolutions, stormwater updates, and infrastructure planning, but said the work will require major funding, better mapping, and streamlined permitting. Members then discussed early warning systems, groundwater inundation, federal funding uncertainty, and how state authority might fill gaps left by changing federal clean water rules. Boerner and Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza highlighted that sea level rise affects inland communities too, and asked about local mapping, long-term planning, and the cost of protecting or relocating vulnerable infrastructure. Former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the city had the maps and plans but needed money, and urged faster permitting and more investment in protective projects. The panel also discussed the tension between environmental mitigation and urgent adaptation, with Gibson suggesting expanded mitigation banks and state revolving fund support, while Boerner and others noted the need to prioritize projects that protect communities and public health over bureaucratic delay. Panel two shifted to public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described outdoor equity work that introduces children and families, especially from historically excluded communities, to the ocean and teaches water safety and stewardship. He said sea level rise, pollution, and access restrictions threaten cultural continuity and free community programs, especially in places like Imperial Beach and the Tijuana River Valley. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission described how sea level rise threatens Bay Area tourism, airports, roads, ports, and neighborhoods built on fill, estimating roughly $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses if no action is taken. She said BCDC is working under SB 272 on regional shoreline adaptation plans, local government coordination, and regulatory innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained funding and science. In the final panel, the Port of San Diego’s Philip Gibbons began describing the port’s climate adaptation work, including vulnerabilities to king tides, storm drain backflow, and long-term inundation that could affect roads, buildings, terminals, and parks. He said the port is using climate planning to assess risks and prepare for sea level rise while maintaining maritime commerce, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The hearing ended with a shared call for more funding, better data, streamlined permitting, and coordinated state, local, and federal action to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.