Transcript Highlights:

• Taking away our ability to manage these needs will greatly impact us.
• The state resources, certainly in the Panhandle wildfires, come from the forest service.
• I mean, it's wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods—you name it. 100%.
• Regarding the county's actions and management of that primary process, which is a political process,
• So these communities all around us, we all take care of one another—emergency management, because we

Bills: HB5691 , SB427 , SB2623 , SB2858

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we, as administrators, are paid to manage and administer.
• we think the changes may... aid and reflect it in the substitute, creating a framework that is manageable
• important that we have a focus on both financial attainment and credential value attainment, as well as manageable

Bills: HB2476 , HB2893 , HB4848 , HB5062 , SB37 , SB60 , HB2860 , HB4930 , SB646 , SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• out with education, you know, if there's new folks that are coming in, is the importance of pH management
• investment activity in the livestock investment grant Courtney Vander May, for the record, said she manages

Bills: HF1621 , HF1701 , HF1796 , HF1676 , HF40 , HF1428 , HF1540

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• we can get to a preventive... you know, model faster or maybe even a cure. you know, some way to manage
• We would look for treatable causes, manage the risk factors as we you have spoken about, usually do an
• If I asked for one, my manager would probably give me one, but it would be probably be an ongoing discussion
• said change is hard, and once they get over the fact that it's a little bit bulkier, and you can manage
• So a lot of times, it may be one or two people, whether it's in management or whether it's, you know,

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• Council members Joe Rico and Carrie Schwartz and City Manager Randy Garcia.

Bills: SB26 , SJR36 , SB26 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SR109 , SR122 , SR126 , SR130 , SR136 , SR137 , SR141 , SR142 , SCR20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The wildfires that struck my district are part of a troubling pattern that we're seeing across California
• Motion: do pass as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management. Haney? Aye.
• These types of projects are easier to manage at the local level and are essential for meeting housing
• Illness spread like wildfire—stomach viruses.
• Hi, I'm Max Cielder, my policy manager of California YIMBY.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy housing-focused agenda with several bills advancing on mostly bipartisan votes. AB 249 addressed youth homelessness by requiring youth-specific coordinated entry assessments rather than relying on adult vulnerability tools; supporters said the change would better identify young people at risk and prevent them from aging into chronic homelessness. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force and coordinator to speed housing recovery after disasters, with broad support from housing, local government, and nonprofit groups. AB 1206 would authorize local pre-approval programs for small housing projects, including single-family homes and developments of up to 10 units, to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing staffing and local variation concerns, but the bill still passed. AB 57 would reserve at least 10% of CalHFA home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people as part of the reparations package; supporters framed it as reparative justice, while opponents raised constitutional and Prop. 209 concerns. AB 282 would allow housing providers to prefer voucher holders in tenant selection, with supporters arguing it would help families actually use housing vouchers and improve affordable housing stability. AB 1229 would shift the adult reentry grant program to HCD and focus more on permanent housing for people leaving prison; supporters emphasized the link between housing, reduced homelessness, and lower recidivism. All of these bills received favorable committee votes and were held open for absent members. The committee also took up several bills on housing preservation and homelessness system accountability. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element progress and require more complete reporting of demolitions and replacement/relocation compliance; supporters said this would help prevent displacement and improve enforcement. The bill passed on a unanimous vote. The committee then began discussion of AB 750, which would strengthen oversight of state-funded homeless shelters after a prior reporting law was found to have very low compliance; the author said the bill responds to a CalMatters investigation showing only a handful of counties and cities submitted required reports. The transcript cuts off before AB 750’s testimony and vote were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's been incredibly innovative, creative, compassionate, and has certainly been an outstanding manager
• ><c> each</c><00:10:54.800><c> of</c><00:10:55.000><c> us</c><00:10:55.200><c> in</c> outstanding manager
• as each of us in outstanding manager as each of us in leadership<00:10:56.079><c> had</c><00:10:56.240
• /c><00:20:11.480><c> the</c><00:20:11.600><c> Maui</c> response to the Maui response to the Maui wildfires
• I'll never forget calling wildfires I'll never forget calling judge<00:20:15.080><c> Peter</c><00:20

Transcript Highlights:

• In Otero County, they have one county grant manager for this huge county, and we talked a lot about the
• And rewards those winners for being able to manage their projects efficiently and be able to get that
• Under the current system, I think what we have to do now more than ever is to manage expectations of
• The Department of Information Technology is managing this project.
• I'll use the wildfire center, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader, you've been a leader in addressing groundwater management issues. Pardon? Chair.
• And also, On the need for reform and creating our rural groundwater management act.
• It cuts wildfire response, emergency funding. We know Gila County is suffering.
• There's talk about the cut of wildfire suppression.
• That means that 100-year water supply in our active management areas is very, very important.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader, you’ve been a leader in addressing groundwater management issues. Pardon? Chair.
• And also, On the need for reform and creating our rural groundwater management act.
• It cuts wildfire response. Emergency funding. We know Gila County is suffering.
• There's talk about the cut of wildfire suppression.
• That means that a 100-year water supply in our active management areas is very, very important.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 6079, creating a wildfire mitigation grant program, was by request by the OIC and was heard in this
• It creates a grant program for wildfire mitigation efforts for insurable dwellings and prohibits property
• insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying risk factor for coverage if a property Wildfire
• And it changes the title of the bill from creating a wildfire mitigation grant program to reducing non-renewal
• and cancellation of insurance policies due to wildfire risk.

Summary: The Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee met in executive session on cutoff day and received staff briefings on several gubernatorial appointments and bills, including SB 6248 on travel insurance, SB 5976 on false subject lines in commercial emails, SB 6079 on a wildfire mitigation grant program, SB 6250 on small loan principal limits, SB 6257 on real estate appraiser trainee licensing tolling, SB 6289 on the Department of Commerce’s economic development strategic plan, SB 6230 on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, and SB 6149 on the definition of rural counties. Staff also noted a new substitute for SB 6149 that narrowed the rural county definition and reduced the fiscal impact. The committee briefly paused for caucus before taking action. In executive session, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of gubernatorial appointments 9060 (Alicia Levy), 9169 (Michael Charles), 9265 (Brian Bennett), and 9266 (Noah Skartford), all subject to signatures. It then advanced SB 6248, SB 6079, SB 6250, SB 6257, SB 6289, SB 6230, and SB 6149, generally by adopting proposed substitutes and sending the bills to Rules, except SB 6079, which was sent to Ways and Means. SB 5976 was not considered. At the close of the meeting, the chair thanked members, stakeholders, and staff for their work during the short session and noted the committee had completed its agenda. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk about the harms of climate change, we talk about wildfires, floods, droughts.
• To manage adaptation linked to flooding. Then we moved on and had more thinking about that.
• So in the last... uh... to manage adaptation linked to the flooding.
• My name is Casey McClain, and I am the Washington policy manager at Renewable Northwest.
• I'm Joel Creswell, Manager of the Climate Yes, please. Great.

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then held a work session on emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Ecology staff reviewed how cap-and-invest works, explained EITE no-cost allowance allocations, and summarized a new report to the Legislature on policy options for 2035-2050. Ecology recommended continuing no-cost allocations but adjusting them to fit the cap, considering a consignment approach that would require EITEs to invest part of the value of free allowances in decarbonization, and studying additional benchmarking and leakage-mitigation refinements. Quebec officials described their cap-and-trade system, including a consignment model that withholds part of free allocations, holds the value in trust for facilities, and requires technical studies and investment in mitigation projects; they said it has encouraged industrial investment and no business closures. Members asked about facility closures, compliance costs, eligible uses of consigned funds, and adaptation spending. The work session then closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2296, which would expand distributed energy resources by allowing portable plug-in solar devices and meter-mounted devices. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to lower barriers and startup costs for renters and homeowners who want to electrify or add solar. Supporters, including a nonprofit promoting plug-in solar and a physician group, said the devices could broaden access to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas and health harms. Utilities, labor, and industry groups opposed the bill as written, citing safety concerns, lack of national electrical code standards, possible backfeeding and fire risks, utility-worker hazards, unclear interconnection rules, and concerns about multifamily housing and small-utility review burdens. Some witnesses said they were open to continued work on the proposal. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2285, which would allow natural gas generation paired with carbon capture, utilization, storage, or mineralization to count toward Clean Energy Transformation Act compliance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would provide a “bridge” for firm power, help address reliability and transmission constraints, and support jobs while reducing emissions compared with conventional gas. Opponents said the bill would weaken CETA’s 100% clean electricity target by allowing resources that still emit carbon to qualify, and they questioned whether 75% capture is sufficient. Other testimony raised cost concerns and warned that carbon capture could increase ratepayer costs. The hearing on HB 2285 was later suspended and reopened briefly for additional testimony from Ecology, which said the bill would permanently weaken CETA standards and likely reduce emissions reductions. The committee also briefly received a staff briefing on House Bill 2272, a ski-area terminology bill, and then suspended that hearing to take it up later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Settlement Trust Fund and so Wildfire Settlement Trust Fund and so I'm<00:10:03.440><c> here</c><00:
• Any other costs associated with wildfire-related litigation? Thank you. Thank you, chair. Sure.
• <00:22:08.080><c> ongoing</c><00:22:08.480><c> wildfire</c><00:22:09.120><c> related</c> wildfire ongoing
• wildfire related wildfire ongoing wildfire related litigation<00:22:10.159><c> as</c><00:22:10.400><
• </c><00:22:14.240><c> related</c> associated with with wildfire related associated with with wildfire

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 344 HD1, which would require new buildings to include electric vehicle charger-ready parking stalls. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the State Energy Office, Department of Accounting and General Services, the Disabilities and Communication Access Board, and others. Members asked about cost and infrastructure impacts; the State Energy Office said the added cost would likely be modest if planned from the start, but that electrical capacity remains a key challenge for expanding EV charging. The chairs proposed two amendments: extending the bill to cover on-grade parking lots and adding language for Level 1 or Level 3 charging when appropriate. After discussion, both committees voted to pass HB 344 HD1 with amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, the chair voted aye, one member voted with reservation, and excused members were noted; the Government Operations committee also passed the measure, with one aye vote and one vote with reservations. The committees also heard House Bill 10001 HD1 SD1, relating to the Maui wildfire settlement trust fund. The Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Maui County, and the Tax Foundation testified in support. Members questioned Hawaii Electric Industries’ ability to fund its share of the settlement and whether the state should pay first or in tranches. The chair proposed amendments requiring all defendant parties to submit payment plans and proof of ability to pay, and requiring non-state defendants to fund their shares into escrow before the state releases its share. The committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously by the members present. Later, the committee deferred action on House Bill 229 HD1 until March 20 for clarification on amendments, then passed House Bill 860 HD1 with amendments addressing liability for limited resurfacing of disputed roads, and passed House Bill 1161 HD2 with amendments concerning highway fund use, formula calculations, and EV-related county fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the extensive experience in fiscal management and large-scale operations, how has that experience
• So it was all of the fiscal part of the department, human resources, procurement and fleet management
• It could be a wildfire, it could be flooding, it could be an earthquake, it could... Yes.
• the wildfires are adhering to safety measures so that they’re not negatively impacted by the work that
• I'm the director of the Labor Management Compliance Council.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and procedural items. It unanimously approved three appointments not required to appear: Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (Health) to be heard past the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Senators focused on illicit cannabis activity, consumer education, youth protection, labeling, and packaging that may be attractive to children. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts including the Real California Cannabis campaign, the SB 540 pamphlet, inspections, a package-review team, and an AI image analyzer for licensees. He also discussed enforcement against illicit cultivation, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, and the department’s role in helping bring legal market compliance and access into balance. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on Cal/OSHA audit findings, workplace safety, PAGA-related litigation, case backlogs, staffing shortages, and how her administrative background would help manage the department. Osborne said she would focus on fixing systemic issues, improving staffing and classification rules, modernizing IT systems, adding intake and investigative capacity, and addressing the Cal/OSHA audit recommendations. She also said DIR would continue working on worker safety, compensation, and apprenticeship programs, and would follow up on some questions about natural-disaster-related enforcement and backlog metrics. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for consideration by the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, California's wildfire reality is now year-round.
• As you all know, California's wildfire reality is now a year-round.
• It will help address repeated concerns that my staff and I have heard directly from countless wildfire
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote so that wildfire survivors and all disaster survivors can rebuild
• So what guarantees do I get for coverage in the wildfire distress areas, right?

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I have my office manager, Sana, my committee clerk, Alicia, and my student intern, Kevin.
• I have my office manager, Sana, my 2.
• I have my office manager, Sana, my committee<00:21:04.480><c> clerk,</c><00:21:04.880><c> Alicia,</c>
• I'm reading from testimony that was received from the Society of Human Resource Management testifying
• In 2023 alone, there were 214 wildfires that scorched more than 12,000 acres statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the EPA who were very versed in the rules and regulations, they weren't very versed at crisis management
• servants who are are housed in that emergency response office within the Office of Land and Emergency Management
• Senator, I'd say the wildfires in California were very tragic. there were there are many reasons as to
• what the result of those why those wildfires occurred in and of themselves Mr.
• pollution from other countries. and ensure there's a more streamlined, exceptional event process for wildfire

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't put a defensible space, you get a wildfire and it runs all across the city.
• Income taxes too, or is that managed through your office at all? as it goes through my office.
• We managed to spend it all every.
• We carry out our primary function of inspection and enforcement, but also management.
• This was developed with the assistance of the Correctional Management Institute of Texas.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 2199, RV parks, mobile homes education, creates the requirement for mobile home park operators and managers
• 2199, RV parks, mobile homes education, creates the requirement for mobile home park operators and managers
• Madam Chair, Representative Aguilar, it's not wildfire. It's not wildfire.

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large slate of House and Senate bills, with staff giving short descriptions and members flagging a few concerns. Topics included veterans’ services and courts, child care grants, midwife medication authority, home- and community-based services funding, EMS reciprocity, prescription monitoring, electronic monitoring in care facilities, pregnancy resource center funding, mental health transportation, Access coverage for mild obstructive sleep apnea, school spending requirements, mobile home park training, local government investment pools, task order contract posting, tourism improvement areas, child welfare and kinship placement, neglect standards, family court evidence, prostate cancer cost sharing, assisted living hearings, manufactured home installer licensing, supervised parenting time, vulnerable adult trespass penalties, uranium contamination monitoring, a gas and petroleum refinery study committee, and state park fee exemptions for veterans. Several bills were described as unanimous or on consent, while others drew objections or were noted as controversial. Members raised privacy concerns about electronic monitoring in nursing homes, due process and rural capacity concerns about restricting police transport for mental health patients, opposition to pregnancy resource center appropriations, concerns about environmental review for power plant replacement, and questions about the Access sleep apnea mandate as potentially favoring vendors. Some bills were noted as having committee amendments, including changes to appropriations, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions. No floor votes were taken in the transcript itself; instead, the chair repeatedly noted whether bills were unanimous, on consent, or had split votes in committee. The caucus also heard brief announcements about an upcoming breakfast with the CAP director, a Latino Caucus meeting, and an Affordability Award presented to Representative Volk, after which the caucus adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• been living in, you know, a Black Swan event like the COVID pandemic and then, you know, the Maui wildfires
• then you know know the co pandemic and then you know the<00:03:13.560><c> Maui</c><00:03:13.959><c> wildfires
• > and</c><00:03:14.720><c> then</c><00:03:14.879><c> of</c><00:03:15.040><c> course</c> the Maui wildfires
• and then of course the Maui wildfires and then of course the<00:03:16.640><c> multitude</c><00:03:17.319
• Chair Kino, Vice Chair, Senator Fevella, Kamak Kim, Government Affairs Manager for United Public Workers

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.