Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure you're aware of the recent press articles by The Wall Street Journal and the federal audit into
• The audit found that there were significant billing errors and mistakes in the treatment, as well as
• They even left the mics on for efficiency. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 8, 2026, with a quorum established and 59 bills listed for consideration. The committee first approved two consent calendars: several bills were sent to the Assembly floor on a due-pass basis, and a smaller set was approved due-pass but not eligible for the floor consent calendar. The proposed suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual debate on those measures. The committee heard several bills in regular order. AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, would clean up and clarify the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030; it drew no opposition and was approved. AB 2011 would codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement authority, while health plans opposed it as premature given federal uncertainty and possible premium impacts; the bill was placed on the B roll call. AB 1673 would give county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain revenues for wildlife conflict prevention, and it advanced on an A roll call. AB 2233 would allow unused authorized ABA therapy hours for children with autism to be made up within the authorization period; supporters emphasized access and continuity of care, while insurers warned of higher costs and reduced utilization safeguards; it advanced on an A roll call. AB 1660, as amended, would give courts more flexibility in cases involving financial institutions and public guardians/conservators, with supporters saying it could save counties time and money; it was approved due-pass as amended. During general public comment, speakers voiced support for AB 2081 and AB 1667, and opposition to AB 1777. After public comment and final vote recording for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just give them something to audit when they go in and do their audit. Yeah.
• be brief, the ability to do this will improve our ability to respond quickly in a coordinated and efficient

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• than just continuing to add interpreters, I would like to look at using my staff a little more efficiently
• Okay, now members, we're going to go pretty efficiently through our district courts.
• All those have monthly accountings and audits that need to be turned in.
• We're just asking for this efficiency.
• So this is the biggest piece... on efficiency that we are asking for from the Water Trust Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip and members, House Bill 2425 directs the Auditor General to conduct a special audit of the
• State Land Department and outlines items for the special audit to examine.
• House Bill 2425 directs the Auditor General to conduct a special audit of the State Land Department and
• outlines items for the special audit to examine.
• It does require the Auditor General to do a special audit to identify vacancies, what lands are vacant

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a rapid review of a very large bill package, with the chair repeatedly asking staff to keep descriptions high level and many bills placed on third-read consent or consent calendars. A major theme was artificial intelligence: bills would require minors to be told when they are interacting with AI, allow AI-assisted divorce arbitration by consent, create an AI education program, privilege certain AI communications, and require K-12 instruction on ethical and practical AI use. Other education measures addressed school district superintendents, health instruction, anti-Semitism prohibitions, fetal development standards, and school safety, including a bill allowing concealed firearms on school grounds under specified conditions. Several health and public safety bills were also discussed. These included funding and oversight measures for childhood cancer research, nursing care complaint timelines, firefighter cancer data collection, limits on pharmacy penalties, and a bill making it a felony to administer abortion-inducing drugs without consent. Members also heard bills on overtime wage enforcement, domestic violence evidence standards in parenting cases, probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, and a measure expanding manslaughter liability to online encouragement of teen suicide. One sponsor strongly opposed a provisional medical licensing bill for foreign-trained applicants, while other sponsors emphasized rural health access, nurse anesthetist reimbursement parity, and the need for a dental board member who is an oral surgeon. A large portion of the meeting focused on water, land, energy, and state agency oversight. Bills would streamline or change rules for small modular reactors, new power plants, water supply determinations, groundwater transportation fees, water hauling, and state land disposition. Members also considered measures affecting the State Land Department, including audits, oversight boards, continuation, land-use maps for data centers and energy projects, and rules for mineral leases and solar or wind siting. Other topics included wildlife and ranching, Mexican wolf policy, annexation, housing and development incentives, transportation and towing rules, digital driver licenses, and a proposed four-year moratorium on municipal and county fee, tax, and utility-rate increases, which drew questions about stakeholder input and the impact on enterprise funds and local utilities. No recorded roll-call votes were taken in the transcript; most items were simply presented, briefly discussed, and left on consent or calendar status, with one bill noted as held in rules and another pulled for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• competitive a procurement process, we were able to win these contracts because of our innovation being efficient
• Our financial reports are audited by independent accounting firms hired by AHCA, but paid for by us.
• regional offices across the state and then implementation of the biennial financial and operational audits
• So, for example, the first priory fiscal efficiency or strengthening of public funds are allocated monitor
• It shows strong cost efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• that everyone understands that the Assembly has rules to ensure that we maintain an orderly and efficient
• to serve early in my career as an internal auditor for Solano County, and I remember having to go audit
• his department quarterly for the regular quarterly cash count, as well as other internal audits, and
• bill at a time when some of our fair boards have decided not to fulfill their mission of running efficient
• venues for the taxpayer. ...fulfill their mission of running efficient venues for the taxpayer because

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my this is going through their annual aerospace defense audit so that the last 14 days working days
• and nights preparing for those audits is very disrupt the process.
• sword for small and medium size businesses in Florida, while embracing new technology can enhance efficiency
• This underinvestment technology adoption, not only hundreds operational efficiency, but also limits the
• A bulk carrier to business operating efficiently and remain compliant, but also handles are confident

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, government is not efficient by nature, and each of us have a responsibility to look at every
• dollar that's spent and make sure it's spent efficiently.
• on the program, and some of the findings that were in that audit are things that we went back into and
• on the program, and some of the findings in that audit are things that we went back into and are asking
• Last year, we had an audit that was a healthy audit that brought a lot of accountability not only to

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, stakeholder input, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create an assisted-living-style Medicaid option for the most disabled SMI individuals, improve continuity of care, and reduce state general fund costs by shifting some expenses to federal Medicaid funding. Access testified neutral, estimating a total fiscal impact of $27.7 million, including $5.83 million general fund, and explained the need for CMS approval. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the initial cap to 250 members, changing reporting frequency, and adjusting eligibility and expansion conditions, then passed SB 1630 as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1131, which originally required school districts and charter schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and appropriated $1 million for implementation. An amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether schools have a plan, while keeping a grant component for AEDs and prioritizing rural schools. The American Heart Association supported the amended approach as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, and members discussed AED training, school preparedness, and whether the funding should favor rural or high-population schools. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1131 as amended on a 9-1 vote, with Senator Kuby voting no and several members explaining concerns about funding and priorities. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1582, which concerned the school safety interoperability fund. An amendment shifted the appropriation from the Department of Education to the Department of Administration and allocated funds to specific county sheriff offices for continuing operation and maintenance of existing interoperability systems, while narrowing the program to public safety agencies and school districts and requiring twice-yearly testing. Sheriffs, a county school superintendent, and the Arizona Sheriffs Association described the systems as useful for drills and real emergencies, improving communication between schools and first responders; one speaker noted the program had been used in drills and at least one live deployment. Some members questioned the audit findings, the focus on rural counties, and whether the program was a good use of funds, while supporters emphasized its value for school safety. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1582 as amended on a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel by allowing earlier normal retirement and shortening the COLA waiting period, with an amendment exempting the changes from the statutory pre-funding requirement. Supporters from firefighter and police groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention and let employees receive earned benefits sooner, while city, county, and taxpayer representatives warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. Actuarial testimony estimated significant costs, including tens of millions in annual or upfront impacts depending on how the change is funded, and members debated whether the amendment would shift costs onto future taxpayers or simply spread them over time. The transcript ends during continued testimony and discussion on SB 1504, before a final vote is reached.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversight into every stage of the technology life cycle, including policies, internal and external audits
• and including policies, internal and including policies, internal and external<00:21:41.360> audits
• <00:21:42.000> and<00:21:42.320> security<00:21:42.960> reviews external audits
• , and security reviews external audits, and security reviews for<00:21:44.080> procuring<00:21
• together in a coordinated way and be able to thwart the worst of this attack in a very quick and efficient

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• let the committee report reflect that the amendments to this measure are necessary to confirm the efficiency
• the efficacy of school impact efficiency the efficacy of school impact fees<00:04:35.440> and
• I think the bottom line of that audit, if there's something wrong with the procurement code, we should
• if there's something wrong that audit if there's something wrong with<00:11:00.360> the<00:11
• Yes, that's true, and the Legislature to review all tax credits and the effectiveness, the efficiency

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I want to make my clinic more efficient. It makes my job easier.
• definitely changes the efficiencies definitely changes the efficiencies changes<00:33:50.200>
• now the question becomes the efficient now the question becomes the other<00:34:31.079> side<
• it makes my job easier I can efficient it makes my job easier I can get<00:34:59.720> back<00
• in nearly every sector of efficiency in nearly every sector of Minnesota's<00:45:57.040> economy<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tools we have in modern cost-efficient tools we have in modern medicine. medicine. medicine.
• <00:50:33.200> in support greater government efficiency in support greater government efficiency
• licensees while enhancing efficiency. licensees while enhancing efficiency.
• And finally, changing the penalty for continuing education audit failure.
• audit failure. audit failure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires annual compliance audits.
• It requires annual compliance audits.
• searches on behalf of immigration agencies that were somehow missed by existing audits.
• SB 1013 addresses this by requiring audits by the California Department of Justice.
• This is why a strict data retention limit backed up by an auditing requirement is essential.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The overall goal is to improve efficiency, scalability, and service delivery of IT services across the
• My first question is the budget quick facts, the fiscal year 24 audit.
• auditing.
• As far As our audit is concerned, I did want to address that really quick.
• But this year, we had three audit findings, and one of them was a major audit finding that we knew exactly

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The TDCJ Community Justice and Assistance Division already has a responsibility to monitor and audit.
• 663 addresses an area of community supervision administration that has long needed clarity and efficiency
• with current statute, reduce delays, and clarify roles so we can serve our communities in a more efficient
• While SB 663 changes the budget and plan approval process to enhance efficiency and align with current
• It's for efficiency, and to make sure that the, the, the work here is not interrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The TDCJ Community Justice and Assistance Division already has the responsibility to monitor and audit
• 663 addresses an area of community supervision administration that has long needed clarity and efficiency
• most recent testimony provided in the Senate Criminal Justice hearing that SB 663 enhances the efficiency
• While SB 663 changes the budget and plan approval process to enhance efficiency and align with current
• It's for efficiency and to make sure that the work here is not interrupted.

Bills: SB663, SB958

Keywords: community supervision, budget approval, corrections department, strategic plan, judicial oversight, SB 958, Texas Government Code, nondisclosure, order of nondisclosure, criminal history record information, trafficking of persons, human trafficking, compelling prostitution, survivor rights, record sealing, expunction, deferred adjudication, prostitution, controlled substances, theft

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> If there's a money transfer store and they're going to be audited for this, are they going to be
• Well, I just know that audits are very intensive and a lot of times you want to have your paper to show
• Ensures they are properly bonded and have a data security control policy and audit.
• We're trying to make this process more efficient and where people can remove the vehicle and recover
• House Bill 925, creating logic for efficiency and accountability reform, clear act create. >> I ask to

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• West Virginia are the only states to do that, and we have constantly been getting dinged in audits every
• time we're audited by the ACF.
• So, yes, every audit that they... have done, we have been out of compliance with an overall rating of
• The ones that I have seen, that's correct, yes, and you mentioned... ...when Texas gets audited there
• How often is Texas getting audited? I'm not sure about that.

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> uh wide-ranging audit of the 14 uh wide-ranging audit of the 14 services, services, services, um<
• That's a separate audit apart from the finding of non-compliance and the withholding.
• That's separate audit apart services.
• It's with respect to their audit of the services.
• comprehensive audit of the claims. comprehensive audit of the claims.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:34.720> during situational efficiency during situational efficiency during emergencies
• <00:14:43.519> than<00:14:43.760> going faster and more efficiently than going faster
• and more efficiently than going through<00:14:44.240> a<00:14:44.399> full<00:14:44.639
• So LOIC staff do not have the conclusive financial evidence to conduct a full financial audit of SERVS
• So we don't agree that you would need the auditor to do an extensive audit of this project.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01 Staff Report on Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System- 00:01:09 Kentucky State Police and Finance and Administration Cabinet Response to Staff Report- 00:48:37 Adjournment-01:34:512, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025. The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements. Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.