Transcript Highlights:

• On line 21 for the biofuels infrastructure grant, the chair recommends a similar reduction of $250,000
• On line 22, there's a biofuels infrastructure grant eligibility increase of sites from 10 to 20.
• grant, uh the chair infrastructure grant, uh the chair recommends<00:21:06.720><c> a</c><00:21:07.039
• </c> agri again the bofuels infrastructure agri again the bofuels infrastructure grant.<00:21:22.640>
• Section 25 amends the livestock expansion and modernization loan program to state that loans may not

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And Director, you mentioned that the infrastructure is not there yet.
• Where are we in terms of having that infrastructure in place?
• , we are also increasing our ability to invest in water infrastructure statewide.
• First, modernizing our technology infrastructure.
• Third, recycling infrastructure efforts.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget of 987 positions and $1.9 billion, and members focused on edible food recovery funding under SB 1383, beverage container recycling fees and infrastructure under SB 1013, plastic packaging reduction under SB 54, and composting implementation under SB 279. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has recovered more than 300 million meals but lacks ongoing funding, explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and reflect higher recycling costs for difficult-to-recycle materials, and noted that SB 54 implementation will include a pollution prevention mitigation fund for legacy plastic cleanup. The committee also discussed the need for more composting capacity and the role of volunteer cleanup groups, while public commenters urged continued funding for food recovery, composting, and landfill response. CalEPA presented its department overview and a proposal to strengthen landfill response and enforcement, emphasizing climate, air quality, water, and cleanup priorities. Secretary Garcia described the agency’s work on methane monitoring, toxics reduction, drinking water compliance, Exide cleanup, pesticide alternatives, and implementation of AB 617, while also noting the agency’s response to federal rollbacks. Members pressed CalEPA on landfill fires and subsurface elevated temperature events, especially at Chiquita Canyon, asking about authority, scientific resources, and when intervention should occur. CalEPA said it has authority to respond but needs more coordinated technical and enforcement capacity, and later presented a $5.1 million, 12-position multi-agency proposal involving CalEPA, CalRecycle, DTSC, and the Water Board to address current landfill events and improve future prevention and response. DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety presented several proposals tied to reform implementation, hazardous waste oversight, and emerging waste streams. DTSC reported progress in clearing its permit backlog, advancing safer consumer products regulations, and continuing Exide cleanup, while seeking additional resources for cost recovery and enforcement, PFAS work, recycling infrastructure for solar panels and lithium batteries, and a new statewide planning division to implement the hazardous waste management plan and consolidate reporting systems. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals process, and fee-setting authority, and said its priorities include permit appeals, hazardous waste plan oversight, and performance metrics. Members questioned whether DTSC was creating too many new subdivisions, but the department said the new structure is needed to handle growing workload and modernize regulation. Public testimony generally supported the landfill proposal, DTSC consumer product enforcement, water board staffing, and continued funding for food recovery and composting programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1087 states that only GHG-reducing projects may be funded, our own analysis shows that highway expansion
• And while all of this is contingent on funding, we need to establish the infrastructure first before
• We provided funding for ultimately the expansion of convenience redemption centers across the state of
• Refineries are unique among major energy infrastructure because they are not required to meaningfully
• We have a problem with our pipeline infrastructure.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental, climate, transparency, water affordability, recycling, and refinery transition issues. SB 1087 would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by extending planning cycles, clarifying target-setting and review processes, and reducing time spent on modeling and CEQA-related work; it drew strong support from MPOs and environmental groups with some opposition from clean air, housing, and industry advocates concerned about VMT, housing impacts, and agency authority. SB 1239 would require CARB to update its standardized regulatory impact assessment when major regulations are materially changed; manufacturers and business groups supported the transparency measure, while the chair opposed it as adding delay and inefficiency to rulemaking. SB 1125 would create the framework for a statewide low-income water rate assistance program; it received broad support from utilities, environmental justice groups, local governments, and community members, and the committee advanced it on a 3-1 vote. SB 1180 would set rules for spending from the plastic pollution mitigation fund created by SB 54, with broad support from environmental justice and conservation groups and opposed-unless-amended positions from industry groups seeking tighter limits and more oversight; it advanced on a 3-0 vote. SB 1161 would require CARB to present household-level cost impacts of regulations in plain language, and it advanced on a 4-0 vote despite late opposition from environmental groups. SB 955, updating beverage container recycling and redemption requirements, passed 5-0, and SB 1259, requiring refineries to disclose cleanup liabilities and decommissioning information to aid long-term planning, drew strong support from environmental and local government witnesses but firm opposition from petroleum, labor, and business groups; the committee began discussion but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while all of this is contingent on funding, we need to establish the infrastructure first before
• We provided funding for ultimately the expansion of convenience redemption centers across the state of
• Refineries are unique among major energy infrastructure because they are not required to meaningfully
• To talk about the future use of the refinery site and its supporting infrastructure.
• We have a problem with our pipeline infrastructure.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to explore expansions.
• We can't have thriving economies or bring businesses to our communities without good infrastructure.
• , up-to-date infrastructure, good quality of life, and good services.
• It limits our ability for economic expansion when it comes to new homes, etc.
• This is a statewide public safety infrastructure need.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure fees, upgrades, infrastructure fees, what would those, what would that bill look like?
• And in addition to the reality that that infrastructure- infrastructure is now aged beyond its useful
• Water projects to build new infrastructure and to replace aging infrastructure and TRWA is great.
• Wastewater infrastructure is tied with levees. and receiving the worst infrastructure grade in Texas.
• In larger conversations about water infrastructure. Infrastructure funding and investment.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, it cannot be used for privately owned infrastructure.
• </c> component of a public infrastructure component of a public infrastructure associated<00:14:51.440
• </c> iig programs the federal infrastructure iig programs the federal infrastructure investment<00:25
• </c> been worked on on an infrastructure been worked on on an infrastructure that's<00:32:09.200><c>
• The second is the Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure program.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• They spoke about some of the infrastructure problems that exist on campuses and the difficulty they have
• We see expansions in foster care as it relates to educational opportunities.
• So, I want to commend, of course, for that expansion.
• transformation plan, resources for the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, of course the expansion
• SO, I WANT TO COMMEND, OF COURSE, FOR THAT EXPANSION.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, voters have identified that this infrastructure is necessary for the future of our city
• It was to provide the transit infrastructure that the citizens of Austin wanted.
• Designated infrastructure that you can use INS for. It says what that is.
• The bill provides for the financing of water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure. Mr.
• The expansion is granted limited eminent domain powers and the ability to issue bonds.

Bills: HB9 , HJR1 , SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB 1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• , and safer shared-use path infrastructure.
• It affects crash severity, stopping distance, and compatibility with infrastructure.
• My specific concern is the prohibition of users safely on infrastructure that's protected.
• And then finally, Recommendation 12: funding for upgrades and expansion.
• As such, I continue with biking due to the lack of infrastructure with the MBTA.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act (S 3077), a micromobility bill based on recommendations from last year’s Special Commission on Micromobility. Administration witnesses from MassDOT and the MBTA said the bill is needed because current laws are outdated and inconsistent, and they emphasized a new speed-based framework that would classify devices by maximum speed rather than by device name. They said the bill would set statewide rules, clarify enforcement, require safety equipment and age limits, restrict unsafe modifications, improve crash-data collection, and create a working group to address future issues such as registration, licensure, insurance, and emerging technologies. Committee members asked about crash reporting, battery safety, enforcement on shared-use paths, commuter rail access, and how the bill would apply to off-road vehicles. Several witnesses and legislators supported the bill’s general approach but raised concerns about whether the speed tiers should be tied more directly to actual operating speed on paths, whether higher-speed devices should be registered, and how police would distinguish between similar-looking devices. Representative and commission witnesses also urged more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets and Spaces, and some suggested adding default speed limits on shared-use paths and automated enforcement tools. Public testimony was mixed. Pediatric emergency physicians strongly supported the bill but urged amendments for a minimum age to operate powered devices and a universal helmet requirement, citing rising severe injuries and deaths among children. A police chief and other safety advocates backed clearer rules and better data collection, while some moped riders objected that the bill would treat low-speed gas mopeds too harshly and should better account for mopeds as vulnerable road users. UL Standards and AAA supported the bill’s safety and clarity goals, with UL recommending tighter language on battery certification and equivalent standards. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wesley Billingsley, who's the director for the Infrastructure Planning and Development Division at DFA
• To make a big dent in the state's infrastructure needs, and we've seen water projects done.
• We have infrastructure needs. We have declining infrastructure. We, we have growth issues.
• Wesley Billingsley, Infrastructure Division Director. Thank you so much.
• That increase in population to New Mexico is a GDP expansion, which is great.

Transcript Highlights:

• standards, energy demand forecasting, renewable energy development, and clean transportation infrastructure
• Much of these cost increases are driven by the need to increase or upgrade transmission infrastructure
• infrastructure and distribution infrastructure to supply the growing demand, vegetation management,
• The technology has evolved enough that we can count on these resources as critical infrastructure.
• The technology has evolved enough that we can count on these resources as critical infrastructure.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, telecommunications, and regulatory bills. SB 929 by Senator Jones would require the California Energy Commission chair to appear annually and report to the Legislature on the commission’s activities, plans, and outreach; it was presented as a low-cost oversight measure and drew no opposition. SB 1138 by Senator Padilla would let load-serving entities trade hourly resource adequacy obligations under the CPUC’s slice-of-day framework to reduce overprocurement and lower ratepayer costs; supporters said it could save tens of millions of dollars, while questions focused on reliability and whether savings would reach customers. SB 913 by Senator Becker would create a clearer pathway for customer-sited distributed energy resources, such as home batteries and smart thermostats, to participate in resource adequacy markets; supporters said it would unlock existing clean capacity and reduce costs, and members asked about reliability, opt-in participation, and compensation for homeowners. The committee also heard SB 1197 by Senator Niello, which would move California to permanent standard time if federal law allows, with testimony from a sleep medicine physician supporting the health and safety benefits of ending the time switch and opposition from golf industry representatives who urged a broader analysis of economic, recreational, and public safety impacts. Members debated whether the 2018 voter approval required another vote and whether Congress would need to act. SB 1265 by Senator Richardson would codify and expand the Go Green financing program by creating a new fund and allowing broader partnerships beyond current IOU service areas; supporters said it would expand access to clean energy financing statewide. SB 1337 by Senator Richardson would create a working group to coordinate fuel transition policy and refinery-related issues following SB 237, with supporters emphasizing the need for better interagency coordination and some members asking how it would avoid duplicative work. The committee also considered SB 1191 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which would extend the California High-Cost Fund A and B programs for rural telephone service through 2033; supporters said the surcharge-funded program is essential for affordable service and emergency connectivity in remote areas. After discussion, the committee adopted amendments where offered and voted all of the bills out of committee, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with SB 1265 receiving one no vote. Several bills were held on call briefly and then later passed when the committee reconvened, and the hearing adjourned after all listed measures were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers are going to have to make up for the difference, assuming that your increase or expansion of
• Protecting the public interest around AI infrastructure buildout, and what are the major risk points?
• The previous witness said something about priority electricity to priority infrastructure.
• Priority infrastructure. So what if the priority infrastructure uses require the data centers?
• Priority infrastructure. So what if the priority infrastructure uses require the data centers?

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy like infrastructure like um uh board committee that we worked with um Amner with.
• The land grant infrastructure fund. Right. Uh, thank you, Chair.
• I want to hear about that electrical vehicle infrastructure and building out.
• Thank you for such thoughtfulness and an expansive work plan for us to begin with.
• Turning to slide 7 of the presentation is the water conservation, protection and infrastructure topic

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...which generally increases at a certain ratio during an expansion period, and those are increasing
• and well above the ratio that would indicate expansion.
• . which is generally increases at a certain ratio during an expansion period, and those are increasing
• and well above the ratio that would indicate expansion.
• As you talk about the beef cattle sector, it's a pretty expansive supply chain.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So really creating the infrastructure, if you will, that allows programs to thrive and grow, which I'm
• So really creating the infrastructure, if you will, that allows programs to thrive and grow, which I'm
• So really creating the infrastructure, if you will, that allows programs to thrive and grow, which I'm
• We needed to have a little expansion in terms of the number of credit hours so they can maintain their
• And a lot of times employers come to us with a demand or a need for expansion or growth within our economy

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• our schools by adding over $76 million above the increase that the House provided to fully fund an expansion
• Senate Finance added $25.20 million dollars to the rural healthcare delivery fund to promote the expansion
• Slower and slower, but don't plan for big expansions next year.
• I'm Rebecca Rus, Infrastructure Adviser with the Governor's Office.
• It's another tool in the toolbox to help supplement critical infrastructure for economic development

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we've expanded that; we have an expansion of this concept to other areas of special needs in the
• Now we've expanded that we have<01:04:13.440><c> an</c><01:04:13.599><c> expansion</c><01:04:14.000><
• will be required for the expansion of the program, and that makes this an unfunded mandate.
• One of them is an infrastructure bill. The first half is an infrastructure bill.
• </c><03:57:56.160><c> is</c> water and sewage infrastructure is water and sewage infrastructure is provided

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilization is increasing by 2.8% for non-expansion groups and 6.3% for the expansion groups.
• The FMAP rate, which is the federal match on the non-expansion group, is increasing in fiscal year 27
• We have more expansion individuals rolling off than non-expansion. So...
• Expansion individuals rolling off than non-expansion. So those have a more favorable federal match.
• 6.3% for the expansion group.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 7 by Perry relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the
• and flood infrastructure needs.
• be for meeting our over $120 billion shortfall that we have to meet our state's needs. water infrastructure
• It's an oversubscribed program at TCEQ, and that's for water infrastructure and bringing more water on
• The amendment also clarifies that you are required to create these infrastructure maps only if you receive

Bills: SB15 , SB646 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1610 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB2972 , SB973 , SB865 , SB506 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB974 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB1302 , SB519 , SB2807 , SB13 , SB7 , SB1718 , SB1567 , SB1233 , SB413 , SB2177 , SB30 , SB2024 , SJR1 , SCR27 , SB2018 , SB1580 , SB2121 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1596 , SB2753 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SCR9 , SB204 , SB437 , SB568 , SB612 , SB672 , SB710 , SB823 , SB876 , SB904 , SB905 , SB968 , SB1084 , SB1207 , SB1230 , SB1313 , SB1504 , SB1790 , SB2232 , SB2366 , SB2367 , SB2398 , SB2515 , SB2520 , SB2589 , SB2786 , SB2790 , SB3048 , SB3050 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3056 , SB3029 , SCR3 , SCR18 , SCR30 , HCR146 , HCR148 , HCR149 , HCR153 , HCR155 , HCR157 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB1584 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB2712 , HB171 , HB3153 , HB143 , HB2688 , HB3464 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB2 , HB1522 , HB24 , HB 1237 , HB2637 , HB3126 , HB3233 , HB4310 , HB3487 , HCR9 , HB5331 , HB1397 , HB163 , HB3250 , HB3071 , HB3463 , HB5033 , HB35 , HB3824 , HB216 , HB4226 , HB3512 , HB18 , HB5154 , HB 103 , HB851 , HB647 , HB4520 , HB3016 , HB2313 , HB2818 , HB2851 , HB4486 , HB4264 , HB1500 , HB5081 , HB2974 , HB2080 , HB4384 , HB5659 , HB493 , HB4903 , HB2516 , HB4488 , HB4530 , HB3689 , HB145 , HB43 , HB5247 , HB2221 , HB5671 , HB700 , HB3711 , HB 120 , SB17 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB21 , SB2778 , SB379

Keywords: SB 15, Texas Local Government Code, zoning preemption, housing affordability, small lots, lot size, lot density, single-family zoning, residential subdivision, municipal land use, local control, state preemption, parking requirements, setbacks, infill development, missing middle housing, lot width, lot depth, homebuilders, housing supply