Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, we need to recognize that there's already a protocol in place through TCEQ.
• a license, the ASSE does have licensed testers who have attained their license through the ABPPA protocol
• as well as the USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research Protocol.
• Both are equal to the protocol approved. ...and used in the state of Texas.
• As mentioned, it does allow the use of the ASSE protocols, which do not meet the same standards that

Bills: HB5208 , SB863 , SB1243 , SB1624 , SB1965 , SB2660 , SB2702 , SB2885

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• We work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and self-directed home care.
• clinics nursing homes work in hospitals clinics nursing homes and<00:05:15.280><c> self-directed</c>
• facilities days 10 days 7 Days the facilities followed<00:09:17.480><c> the</c><00:09:17.640><c> protocol
• by the state of followed the protocol by the state of Minnesota<00:09:19.360><c> are</c><00:09:19.440
• </c> Abbott Northwestern Hospital Abbott Northwestern Hospital these<00:41:28.280><c> jobs</c><00:41:

Bills: HF339 , HF1272 , HF2121 , HF2122 , HF1216 , HF1003 , HF2319

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Our protocol says that it's concurrent jurisdiction.
• It's been 10 years and we still have the same protocol.
• Our protocol says that it's concurrent jurisdiction.
• It's been 10 years and we still have the same protocol.
• Our protocol says that it's concurrent jurisdiction.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The dad came in, called the mom, and they took her to the hospital.
• our member hospitals today.
• First, to be clear, hospitals do not perform elective abortions.
• Texas Hospital Association and Texas Medical Association, as well as contract lobbyists for Texas Hospital
• People bleeding out in their cars, in hospital parking lots, waiting...

Bills: SB10 , SB16 , SB6 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of State Hospitals manages the California State Hospital system.
• So we are an acute psychiatric hospital.
• We just don't have all of that in our hospitals.
• decompress hospitals' emergency waiting rooms.
• So it could be the hospitals that are paying for it.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of State Hospitals manages the California State Hospital system.
• So we are an acute psychiatric hospital.
• We just don't have all of that in our hospitals.
• We help decompress hospitals' emergency waiting rooms.
• So it could be the hospitals that are paying for it.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of State Hospitals manages the California State Hospital system.
• The Department of State Hospitals manages the California State Hospital system.
• So we are an acute psychiatric hospital.
• We just don't have all of that in our hospitals.
• to decompress hospitals' emergency waiting rooms.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• what this amendment does, and it's very clear, members, line 17, they are required to implement a protocol
• Implement a protocol for a conversational artificial intelligence service to stop engaging in response
• They are required to implement a protocol to prohibit a conversational artificial intelligence service
• Implement a protocol for a conversational artificial intelligence service to stop engaging in response
• </c><06:09:34.720><c> to</c> accurate, uh required the hospitals to accurate, uh required the hospitals

Transcript Highlights:

• And all that we do is say that if you get sick and you need to go to the hospital, which most folks will
• And all that we do is say that if you get sick and you need to go to the hospital, which most folks will
• need to go that if you get sick and you need to go to<01:13:15.440><c> the</c><01:13:15.639><c> hospital
• which</c><01:13:16.920><c> most</c><01:13:17.239><c> folks</c><01:13:17.520><c> will</c> to the hospital
• which most folks will to the hospital which most folks will delay<01:13:18.120><c> care</c><01:13:18.520

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• a tradition of hard<00:20:21.760><c> work,</c><00:20:22.559><c> tremendous</c><00:20:23.200><c> hospitality
• ,</c><00:20:24.320><c> and</c> hard work, tremendous hospitality, and hard work, tremendous hospitality
• . hospitality. hospitality.
• H.R. 8897 would codify the ongoing pilot program and ensure appropriate security protocols are upheld
• H.R. 8897 would codify the ongoing pilot program and ensure appropriate security protocols are upheld

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if you are thinking about hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient or inpatient therapy
• </c><01:02:13.520><c> surrounding</c><01:02:13.920><c> any</c> comprehensive protocols surrounding any
• comprehensive protocols surrounding any potential<01:02:14.799><c> use</c><01:02:15.119><c> of</c><01
• Um, if you are thinking about hospitals,<01:05:47.200><c> residential</c><01:05:47.760><c> treatment<
• /c> hospitals, residential treatment hospitals, residential treatment centers,<01:05:48.559><c> outpatient

Transcript Highlights:

• to really uh ongoing safety protocols to really uh help<01:04:54.720><c> you</c><01:04:54.960><c> do
• Um, and then I would be curious through those departments, like, what is the current protocol and, you
• Um, and then I would be curious through those departments, like, what is the current protocol?
• Um, and then I would be curious through those departments, like, what is the current protocol?
• Like, what is the current protocol?

Bills: HF3418 , HF3739 , HF3791 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• These protocols focus on providing timely, compassionate, and compliant relief while minimizing borrower
• When we were communicating recently with our non-banking lenders, we asked what the protocol was, and
• And we went through protocols with a handful of... we tried to reach out to our larger non-banking...
• reporting as the natural disaster or the disaster zone based off a zip code and we went through protocols
• The protocols are to respond diligently, to have outreach before they’re being reached out to, and to

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The assessment protocols that the state uses is based on the area that I've circled on the chart, which
• fish passage database, also tasked us with offering free training on the inventory and assessment protocols
• We've trained thousands of people, hundreds of groups, all across the state in our protocols.
• And one of the requirements of that training... ...in our protocols, and one of the requirements of that

Committee: House Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• The assessment protocols that the state uses is based on the area that I've circled on the chart, which
• passage database, we were also tasked with offering free training on the inventory and assessment protocols
• And we've trained thousands of people, hundreds of groups all across the state in our protocols.
• And one of the requirements of that training... ...in our protocols.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a work session on fish passage and barrier prioritization. Tom Jameson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed members on the state salmon recovery framework, the types and prevalence of fish passage barriers, and the many existing barrier-removal programs. He explained that culverts are the most common barrier, but levees, tidegates, dams, and other structures also affect salmon and steelhead. He also described the state’s fish passage database, the assessment criteria used to determine whether a structure is a barrier, and the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board’s role in funding projects. Jameson reviewed the history of the board and its grant pathways, noting that the Legislature has funded 199 projects totaling nearly $225 million over five biennia, including significant federal support in the last biennium. He then focused on the new statewide prioritization strategy directed by the Legislature in 2020. A science panel recommended using an optimization model and then scoring and ranking barriers, but Jameson said the model depends on better stream mapping and ongoing “snapping” of stream layers to known barrier locations. He said the strategy is intended to produce watershed-based priority lists rather than a single statewide ranking. Members asked about how barriers are assessed during fish migration periods, how private land access affects inventory work, how local governments can report completed corrections, and how the prioritization criteria weight Chinook salmon and southern resident orca recovery. Jameson said urban areas with downstream barriers or heavily altered streams may be less recoverable, while rural watersheds may offer greater benefit. He also explained the federal culvert injunction, including ongoing obligations for state agencies and DOT’s 2030 target, and said the injunction never fully ends because new barriers are continually discovered and must be addressed over time. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• health care hospitals in Hennepin County, notably HCMC, a level one trauma center for pediatric care
• Anybody who walks into those hospitals must be served, and they are served enthusiastically, by some
• health care hospitals in Hennepin County, notably HCMC, a level one trauma center for pediatric care
• health care hospitals in Hennepin County, notably HCMC, a level one trauma center for pediatric care
• Um, protocol say that the tax bill has to start in the House.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also requires operators to implement a protocol for detecting and addressing suicidal ideation
• The protocols must include reasonable methods for identifying expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm
• website and within any application through which they offer the chatbot the details of the required protocols
• I mean, the suicide protocol ...that applies to everyone, the required notifications that it's not human
• I think requiring a self-harm detection and response protocol, including crisis resource referrals, is

Summary: The committee first heard Engrossed Senate Substitute Senate Bill 5984, which would regulate AI companion chatbots. Staff explained that the bill requires disclosures that the chatbot is AI and not human, adds stronger protections when the user is a minor or the chatbot is directed to minors, bars manipulative engagement techniques, requires periodic reminders, and creates protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm. Several speakers, including researchers, students, the PTA, the governor’s office, and the Attorney General’s Office, supported the bill and described harms from chatbot sycophancy, emotional dependence, and self-harm risks. Some testifiers urged expanding protections to all users rather than only minors, adding language on harm to others, and clarifying that chatbots should not present themselves as sentient or human; industry representatives said the bill was workable and noted support for removing the exemption for underlying general-purpose AI models, while also discussing concerns about the private right of action and age-verification/data-collection issues. The chair noted that an amendment for narrow educational tools would be worked on. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 6046, which would create a state Civil Air Patrol under the Washington Military Department. Staff said the bill would allow the governor to activate the state Civil Air Patrol for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions, while preserving the federal Civil Air Patrol’s existing structure. Military Department and Civil Air Patrol leaders testified in support, saying the bill would streamline coordination, improve emergency response, and expand training opportunities without changing federal authorities or adding costs; one witness said the model was based on Kansas law. Members asked about the fiscal note, which was described as indeterminate by one agency despite testimony that the bill would not create new state costs, and about whether the bill would face concerns in Appropriations. The Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported passage, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The crypto industry is diverse and includes developers, decentralized protocols, centralized intermediaries
• When you look at decentralized protocols, you cannot take centralized rule books.
• You can't just bluntly apply them to decentralized protocols. And decentralization is a broad term.
• There's project teams, protocols that have operated without clear guidelines as to the legal status of
• We've had developers that are looking to build. protocols and technology that have many different use

Committee: Senate Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Digital Assets

Keywords: Digital Assets, Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Legislation, Bipartisan, Consumer Protection, Regulatory Framework, Financial Innovation, Testimony

Summary: The inaugural meeting of the Digital Assets Subcommittee brought a wave of excitement and anticipation regarding the future of digital assets, including Bitcoin and stablecoins. Chair Lummis expressed gratitude towards Senator Scott for establishing the subcommittee, indicating a commitment to promote responsible innovation while safeguarding consumers. Members discussed the necessity for a bipartisan legislative framework to regulate digital asset markets effectively while outlining the potential benefits such legislation could have on enhancing financial inclusion and streamlining payments. The meeting featured expert testimonies from key figures in the digital asset industry, highlighting the importance of creating clear regulatory guidance for digital assets to foster innovation without compromising consumer protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• the United States, focusing on identifying security threats and establishing stricter screening protocols
• More than 140 cops suffered injuries and went to the hospital. Five police officers died.
• So many of them had to go to the hospital to get stitches, to get medical care.
• that that put the lives of protocols that that put the lives of Americans Americans Americans first<
• Bob attended Waco High School Hospital Bob attended Waco High School until<08:08:39.798><c> being</c

Transcript Highlights:

• I know also we have the Shattuck Hospital and that move to the pavilion that's supposed to be happening
• But, you know, thinking of those pieces of hospital medical costs.
• I know also we have the Shattuck Hospital and that moved to the pavilion that's supposed to be happening
• But, you know, thinking of those pieces of hospital medical costs.
• You know, CRJ went to all the security protocols that they have and it actually spooked the community

Summary: The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations. A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan. Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone. The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.