Transcript Highlights:

• Public comments will be limited to 30 seconds each.
• Public comments will be limited to 30 seconds each and will happen at the end of each issue.
• And of the total fines Cal/OSHA issues, only 23% are paid.
• Just seven years ago, Cal/OSHA collected 50% of fines.
• So my question is for the DIR: If you need more money, why are we collecting the fines?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those over there, the fine for speeding is 230 bucks, and we said no, that's too much.
• The only time you would pay court costs in addition to whatever the fine is going to be is if you the
• fine is going to be is if you request an administrative hearing and the judge says you're liable.
• Number one, what the fine is, and number two, one, what the fine is?
• If he pays the fine, he then has an action against the person.

Bills: HB575

Keywords: automated enforcement, speeding violations, civil fines, Baldwin County, municipal legislation, traffic safety, public awareness, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're responsible for paying the fine. Mr. Chair, you're recognized. Thank you, President Gates.
• What's going to have to happen now for a first violation is a $500 fine.
• A second violation goes to a $1,000 fine, along with a six-month driver's license suspension.
• This has a weight limit above a certain weight.
• This bill will assist in limiting the misuse of the ADS-B data, and we support its passage.

Bills: S0086, S0422, S0706, S1054, S1670

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking, surveillance data, Florida Statutes chapter 330, Part 91

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met and considered several bills, beginning with CS/SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens. The sponsor described the bill as a highway safety measure requiring commercial drivers to be lawfully present, hold a valid CDL, read English, and communicate with law enforcement, with vehicle impoundment, civil penalties, and out-of-service orders for violations. After questions about impacts on carriers and interstate operations, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably, with one no vote. The committee then heard CS/SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County; county representatives supported the amendment and bill. The committee also approved CS/SB 1670 on the Outsider specialty license plate after an amendment reduced the Huber Brothers Foundation’s share of proceeds from 25% to 10%. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1054, dealing with traffic infractions resulting in crashes with another vehicle. The bill would impose escalating fines and license suspensions for crashes caused by running red lights or stop signs, and require bodily injury insurance for a year when injury results. A clarifying amendment limited the insurance requirement to one year, and the bill was reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. The final major bill was CS/SB 422 on automated dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data; it would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate or collect certain landing-related fees. Supporters argued the technology should remain focused on aviation safety and warned against false invoices and discouraging pilot training, while airport representatives said they currently use the data for fee collection and wanted further discussion. After an amendment narrowing the bill’s application, the committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• those line up the goal is to is every time we draft a legislation to make sure that's clear, that's fine
• If they've had a suspension limits that hardship just for those specific purposes, sometimes we call
• Chair senators the amendment adds municipality's in the fines actual cost.
• expressway, including interest ramps, Texas ramps and interchanges regardless of the posted speed limit
• But because it is my question about this bill, though, it seems to limit its use, be limited to only

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, that's fine. Jordan Yudor, Work Safe, we are in opposition. Thank you.
• A violation of these rules can result in fines, a 100% tax on income, and loss of REIT status.
• It's not even adding any private right of action or any fines or anything like that.
• It's not even adding any private right of action or any fines or anything like that.
• It's not even adding any private right to action or any fines or anything like that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen workplace safety in the artificial stone fabrication industry by creating a certification program, requiring supplier verification, and adding enforcement tools; it passed to Appropriations. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a state process to approve short-term workforce training programs eligible for new federal Pell Grant funding; it also passed. AB 2499 (Gibson), “Adrienne’s Act,” would direct Cal/OSHA to develop heat illness protections for incarcerated workers and correctional-facility workers; it passed after emotional testimony from the family of a woman who died from heat exhaustion in prison. AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline workforce funding disbursement and create a unified sub-grant structure; it was held on call amid concerns about reduced oversight. AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts, benefits assistance, and domestic worker inclusion; it passed with no opposition. AB 2634 (Sabir) would tighten High Road Training Partnership funding to prioritize labor-management programs; it passed. AB 1888, a companion to the Safe Home Grant Program, would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for wildfire home-hardening work; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682 on consent, all to Appropriations. Several bills drew significant support and opposition. AB 2646 (Krell) would set a $19.75 minimum wage with COLA for agricultural employees; farmworker advocates described poverty-level wages and wage theft, while agricultural business groups warned of major cost increases and impacts on family farms. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2227 (Connolly) would increase farm labor contractor bond amounts, strengthen license renewal, and create default judgment procedures to speed wage recovery; supporters cited long delays and unpaid wages, while opponents argued the bill added burdens and that the real problem was the Labor Commissioner process. It also passed to Appropriations. AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for hotel workers to flag real estate investment trusts that allegedly overstep their passive-investor role; labor groups supported it, but hotel and property industry groups warned it would disrupt federal REIT conformity and investment stability. The committee approved it, and later add-on votes confirmed it passed out of committee. Throughout the hearing, members emphasized worker protections and the need for timely enforcement, while some expressed concern about administrative burdens or reduced oversight. Most measures were approved on party-line or near-unanimous votes and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations, with the committee adjourning after completing the add-on roll calls and consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agenda that, hey, any kind of sex is fine. Don't worry about it.
• But you have placed some maximum sentences in this bill, and that's fine.
• sentences in this bill and that's fine. sentences in this bill and that's fine.
• I think it might limit for 25 years."
• >> That'd be fine. >> Okay. Thank you. Moving on page three.

Bills: HB0008, HB0009

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so um there are, we have limited options for that.
• And so um there are, we have limited options for that.
• And so um there are, we have limited options for that.
• And so um there are, we have limited options for that.
• Everyone on this bill, and that's fine.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To assure everyone who's registered has a chance to speak, we limit testimony today to three minutes
• committee will be made publicly available, provided, however, the chairs, Senator Edwards and I may limit
• Some good changes came about as a result of that, including statute-of-limitations changes related to
• The time limit is making me nervous here.
• Yes, I think the judges said it was fine, but we were using the Massachusetts standard. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure that we honor the intent of this, and there was a little bit of confusion about the term limits
• 00:02:39.879> term boards about procedures and uh term boards about procedures and uh term limits
• appointments<00:02:41.720> so<00:02:41.920> because<00:02:42.239> we limits
• and appointments so because we limits and appointments so because we have<00:02:42.760> this<
• and individuals staying on once limits and individuals staying on once their<00:02:51.159> term

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:12 Introduction of Guests 01:09 HB 88 Discussion 01:46 HB 88 Roll Call Vote 03:24 HB 346 Discussion 04:20 HB 346 Roll Call Vote 21:58 Chair Comments 24:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• new fines to promote licenser safety.
• We don't know what the future limited.
• ,<01:19:15.880> and they're stretched to their limits, and they're stretched to their limits
• That's fine. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• That's fine. Thank you, Madam All right. That's fine.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:01.520> on would place a 90day time limit on would place a 90day time limit on residential
• <01:14:15.199> there's beyond the time uh limits there's beyond the time uh limits there's
• , we have a statute of limitations, which is five years.
• <02:52:06.840> that's have uh statute of limitations that's have uh statute of limitations
• Thanks for your question. behind you um that's fine uh I'm just behind you um that's fine uh I'm just

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:31.240> which<00:13:31.399> either<00:13:31.560> one first that's just fine
• which either one first that's just fine which either one of<00:13:31.720> you<00:13:31.839>
• Beyond one's own limited foundations and these<00:32:51.919> are<00:32:52.039> the<00:
• Just for reference, either one's fine.
• impressive as a downtown central Fine impressive as a downtown central Fine Arts Arts Arts piece

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's fine, Chair. So, we can go into Q&A. It's up to you.
• No, that's fine. So, I I I just go back. No, that's fine.
• That's fine, talking about new hires.
• If it's okay,<01:04:37.119> then<01:04:37.359> fine.
• But the student and the okay, then fine.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oversight, professional management, and limiting the state's exposure to any over-concentration of...
• That's often a limiting factor on being able to seek high returns.
• So number one, it limits the Texas Future Fund investment to no more than 20% of the estimated total
• That's fine. Very good. All right, well, excellent job. We appreciate you being here.
• It simply removes procedural limits for the most vulnerable claims.

Bills: HB 104, HB2054, HB3459, HB3745, HB4486, HB4488, HB4601, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, or is it just limited to attorney. Uh, or is it just limited to realators? realators?
• They're limited.
• They're limited.
• They are limited.
• indicating limited availability. indicating limited availability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be just fine if we went to June.
• There is going to be very limited amendments. We are basically just doing technical fixes.
• And that's why there could be very, very limited changes, if any, to this budget.
• And that's why there could be very, very limited changes, if any, to this budget.
• And if you can't answer that, that's fine, but I would be curious to see how...

Bills: HB4154, HB4155, HB4156, HB4157, HB4158, HB4159, HB4160, HB4161, HB4162, HB4163, HB4164, HB4165, HB4166, HB4167, HB4168, HB4169, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB1851, SB1852, SB1853, SB1854, SB1855, SB1856, SB1857, SB1858, SB1859, SB1860, SB1861, SB1862

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, fiscal year 2026-2027, appropriations, state agencies, public funding, education funding, health and human services, public safety, transportation, government operations, budget bill, fiscal policy, state finance, spending plan, legislative budget, capital appropriations, operating budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that's fine. So there'll be a motion in writing.
• You're fine. Go ahead. Thank you. Good afternoon, Senate Committee.
• That is not a limit. The county and that is maintained with this legislation.
• Those are just not limited to.
• That's fine. This will not change yet.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The course moves that limit public testimony in today's hearing to two minutes.
• He really knows his stuff, but his clients are limited in income.
• That'd be fine. All right, touch name. Who are you with and your position on the bill? That's fine.
• ...would limit and discontinue limits in Texas Congress on private property, right, Mr. Chairman?
• The 10-foot statutory limit.

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• The time limit for each testifier will be one minute.
• The time limit for each testifier will be one minute.
• Chiefs who have these um term limits Chiefs who have these um term limits that<00:20:55.400> are
• <00:38:12.240> one Congress instead of limiting one Congress instead of limiting one essential
• <00:44:08.720> a limiting a limiting a position<00:44:12.040> on<00:44:12.280> this<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently in statute, fines are determined by the population of the community.
• Smaller cities, for example, Key West of Saint Augustine, the population caps fines of $5,000.
• with heavy fines.
• I don't I I tried to briefly describe the bill because in fact, it's a very limited Bill.
• It's a simple bill that limits the use of specialist titles. There is no language.

Keywords: 999, senate, all