Video & Transcript Research : 'Senator Tim Scott'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-14 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ANCHOR CHURCH IN SAINT AUGUSTINE SPONSORED BY SENATOR OF THE SEVENTH SENATOR LEEK, WELCOME TO THE SENATE
- SENATOR JONES ARE YOU READY? SENATOR JONES. >>Sen.
- Albritton: SENATOR OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: TREAT THANK YOU MR.
- OKAY, SENATOR, WAIT, YES, MA'AM. SENATOR DAVIS YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION.
- THIS BILL IS COSPONSORED BY SENATOR SIMON AND SENATOR BURGESS.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Albritton, Senator Carley, Senator Colan.
- Senator Albritton, Senator Carley, Senator Colan, here. Senator Gger, Senator Hatcher, here.
- Senator Hovi, here. Senator Kelly, Senator Coleman, Senator Chambliss, here.
- Senator Albritton, Senator Carley... Senator Albritton, Senator Carley, Senator Coleman, hi.
- Senator Carley? Hi. Senator Coleman? Senator Gudger? Senator... Senator Coleman? Senator Gudger?
Keywords:
county tax, education funding, capital projects, local government, sales tax, food trucks, mobile vendors, business license, health inspection, statewide regulation, zoning ordinances, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, municipal zoning, zoning board, appeals process, circuit court
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Senator. Thank you. Two minutes each, please. Thank you, Senator.
- by Senator Hurtado.
- All right, Senator, Senator, All right, Senator, whenever you're ready. Good afternoon, Mr.
- So thanks, Senator, for bringing this bill.
- Thank you, Senator. Would you like to close?
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0.
The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations.
The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Simon, here. Senator Berman, Senator Harrell, Senator Jones, Senator Rodriguez.
- Senator Berman, Senator Harrell, Senator Jones, Senator Rodriguez. Chair Simon, yes.
- Senator Harrell? Senator Jones? Yes. Senator Rodriguez? No. Senator Claudio...
- Senator Berman? Senator Berman. Senator Berman.
- Senate Bill 194. Senator Berman: Absolutely, no. Senator Harrell: No. Senator Jones: No.
Keywords:
Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested.
The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations.
A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Scott, where's Scott? Hey, Scott, my mom is from Hackleburg. All of her family's from Hamilton.
- On page 53 of the calendar, Senate Bill 249 by Senator Barfoot, relating to license plates.
- On page 43 of the calendar, Senate Bill 160 by Senator Wood, relating to athletic trainers.
- I asked for the adoption of Senate Bill 205. I asked for the adoption of Senate Bill 205.
- in the Senate. in the Senate.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Avila, here. Senator Bradley, here. Senator Garcia, excused. Senator Grall, here.
- Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Grall? Yes. Senator Polsky? Yes.
- Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Grohl? Yes. Senator Polsky? No.
- Senator Garcia? Senator Grall? Yes. Senator Polsky? No. Senator Rouson? Vice Chair Bernard? No.
- Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Pulski? Yes. Senator Rusong? Yes. Senator Polsky?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no.
Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Dec 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Avila, here. Senator Bradley? Senator Garcia? Senator Graal, here. Senator Polsky, here.
- Senator Avala? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Grohl? Yes. Senator Polsky? Yes.
- Senator Avala? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Grohl? Yes. Senator Polsky? Yes.
- Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes.
- Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia? Senator Pulski? Yes. Senator Rusong? Yes. Senator Polsky?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote.
Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Patel, yes, thank you for representing Senator Reyes on this bill.
- Thank you, Senator Reyes.
- With that, Senator Patterson made the motion to move the item. Okay, second by Senator Soria.
- Moved by Senator Wallace, second by Samud Patel. Senator, would you like to close?
- Thank you, Senator.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact met on July 11, 2025, and heard six measures focused on small business contracting, ports and trade, local economic development, clean energy transition, tariff impacts, and infrastructure finance. SB 70 would raise the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act contract cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation; supporters said it would reflect current economic conditions, while opponents argued it could reduce transparency, favor larger firms, and strain small businesses’ ability to carry inventory and wait for payment. The bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations.
AJR 14 urged federal agencies to consider the effects of tariff policy on California ports, with testimony emphasizing impacts on cargo volumes, jobs, supply chains, and infrastructure needs; it passed 7-0. SB 781 would require cities and counties to adopt small business utilization plans and strengthen the California Small Business Technical Assistance Program; chambers of commerce and committee members supported it as a way to expand procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and it passed 7-0 to Local Government. SB 227 would extend and expand the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, add environmental justice representatives, and extend authorization to 2040; it passed 7-0 to the floor.
SB 263 would direct the California Transportation Agency to study the statewide impacts of tariffs, with supporters from the ports, retail, and trucking sectors arguing that better data is needed to guide budgeting and policy responses; it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 769 would create the Golden State Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects through a revolving public-private investment model; supporters said it would help address long-term infrastructure needs and prepare for major events, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations after opposition was withdrawn. All measures were reported out of committee, and the meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-08
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Chair Scott. Chair Scott moves approval of the minutes of April 3rd.
- Thank you, Chair Lee, Chair Scott, and members.
- Section 12 is also from the judicial branch bill carried by Representative Scott.
- Thank you, Chair Liebling and Chair Scott.
- So, with that, Chair Scott, did you want to say something? Yes, Madam Chair.
Bills:
HF2300
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have Senator Seyarto. All right. Senator, we have you with us.
- Senator McGuire, we have Senate Bill 1263 related to contractors and debris removal.
- Senator McGuire, we have Senate Bill 1263 related to contractors and debris removal.
- Thank you, Senator.
- Thank you, Senator, and thank you to the witnesses. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
Summary:
The Assembly Emergency Management Committee met late in the evening and first approved a consent calendar containing SB 837, SB 894, SB 973, and SB 1079, sending those bills to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 904, which would codify coordinated state response and permitting review efforts for wildfire recovery, and SB 1263, which would limit post-disaster debris removal work to properly licensed contractors with required hazardous-materials training. Both bills drew support from the authors and industry/public-safety witnesses, with SB 1263 also drawing an opposed-unless-amended position from contractors who said they were working toward agreement on final language. Both measures passed to Appropriations on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The committee next heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, which would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for interstate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific safety standards. The author and supporters from building trades and pipe trades argued the bill would provide clear safety rules before hydrogen infrastructure expands, while one industry witness said the correct agency had been identified but that some concerns remained. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations, with Assemblymember DeMaio voting no.
Finally, the committee considered SB 883, which would impose additional oversight on facilities storing methyl methacrylate and other reactive chemicals after a recent Orange County evacuation tied to a potential explosion risk. Supporters, including community, environmental, and public-health groups, said the bill would improve transparency, emergency planning, and safety protections near homes and schools. Chemical and manufacturing groups opposed the bill in its current form, citing undefined terms, concerns about mandated cooling systems, and possible conflicts with existing regulatory frameworks, but said they were willing to continue working on the measure. The bill passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on a 4-2 vote, with Assemblymembers Hadwick and DeMaio voting no.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Yep, members, the motion before you is that Senate Bill 1199...
- And Senator Dunn, this is your bill, right? Mr.
- Let's have Senator Dunn come forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- For the record, Senator Tim Dunn from Legislative District 25. Thank you for hearing this bill.
- And I feel like the senator from District 25 was speaking to me.
Keywords:
Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing, commodity council, livestock, cattle industry, ranching, rural affairs, self-financed program, sunset extension, continuation bill, market development, beef products, Arizona agriculture, Title 41, Title 3, sunset review, marketing order, producer assessment, Salt River horse herd
Summary:
The Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1199, which was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River Horse Herd Agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd, while the department said it was neutral and noted the contract was already on the state procurement website. The committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 1199 on a 6-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1761, an appropriation bill for the University of Arizona that would fund the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and the Arizona Farm Bureau argued the funding would support statewide agricultural research, extension services, water conservation, and rural communities, while members noted the bill would ultimately be part of budget negotiations. The committee passed SB 1761 with one member voting present.
Next, SB 1198 was amended to also continue the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years, in addition to extending the Arizona Beef Council. Supporters said both entities were self-funded or industry-supported and did not need shorter review cycles, while some members objected to combining the two issues and to the eight-year continuation period. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-3 with one present. Finally, SB 1683, which expands restrictions on land ownership and related transactions by foreign adversary nations and agents near critical infrastructure, military bases, and universities, drew support from local and military witnesses who said it would address national security risks and improve review of sensitive land deals. Some members raised property-rights concerns and questioned whether the expansion was justified, but the committee passed the bill 5-3 and adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Edmonds. Here. Present. Senator Hodges. Here. Present. Senator Bartholomey. Present.
- Senator Jackson Andrews. Senator Mieges. Senator Mizell.
- Senator Jackson Andrews, Senator Mises, Senator Misesl, present. Senator Owen, present.
- Welcome to Senate Education. Thank you.
- Thank you for all comments, Senator.
Bills:
HCR26, HB28, HB195, HB283, HB316, HB319, HB363, HB380, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB636, HB738, HB807, HB905, HB992, HB1146
Keywords:
human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board
Summary:
The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific.
House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments.
The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Edmonds. Here. Present. Senator Hodges. Here. Present. Senator Barthelemy. Present.
- Senator Jackson-Andrews. Senator Miguez. Senator Mizell.
- Senator Jackson-Andrews, Senator Miguez, Senator Mizell, present. Senator Owen, present.
- Welcome to Senate Education. Thank you.
- Thank you for all comments, Senator.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/13/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Senator Limer moves that Senate File >> Senator Limer moves that Senate File 3648<00:08
- Senator Limmer: No. Senator Clark: Yes. Senator Holmstrom: No.
- Senator Westlin: Yes. Senator Westrom: No.
- Senator Papus and then Senator Mover. Senator Papus and then Senator Mover.
- Senator Clark. language. Senator Clark.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I recognize the member from Anoka, Representative Scott.
- Uh, this bill is also moving in the Senate.
- Lord is also uh moving in the Senate.
- , I recognize the member from Scott, I recognize the member from Scott, Representative<00:42:44.800
- I recognize the member from Scott I recognize the member from Scott Representative<00:44:05.520>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Nate Scott.
- Scott.
- Scott. Yeah, as I those patients? Dr. Scott.
- Scott. I Madam Chair, uh, Dr. Scott.
- Scott, Mr. Abdi, we appreciate your Dr. Scott, Mr.
Bills:
HF4343
Keywords:
sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair called Scott Gibbe. Morning, sir. Good morning.
- So you registered as Scott Gibbe, American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
- My name is Scott Kibbe.
- That's why, uh, Babe had to create TUIA all those years ago, Senator Schwartz.
- Chair called Scott Simster. Good morning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair lays out Senate Bill 2949 recognizes Vice Chair Morales to explain the bill.
- issue and authoring Senate Bill 2949 and passing it through the Senate.
- I'm John Esparza test, uh, testifying for Senate Bill 2949.
- Would you like to Justin Scott. OK. Chair will call Justin Scott.
- Chairman, uh, for the opportunity to lay out Senate Bill 290 for, uh, Senator Miles and Alma Allen.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Rocky Adams. Senator Chambers Armstrong, here. Senator Herron, here. Senator Bledsoe.
- Senator McDaniel. Senator Mills. Senator Bledsoe. Senator McDaniel. Senator Mills, here.
- Senator Elkins hi Senator Senator Elkins hi Senator Haron<00:04:27.280>
Senator Haron Senator - I'm Scott Maiden of Senate District 29. J.D. Cheney with the Kentucky League of Cities.
- Senator Haron, Senator Maiden, Senator McDaniel, Senator Mills, Senator Rawlings, Senator Tishner, and
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:12
SB 4 (Sen. Mays Bledsoe): 01:34
SB 58 (Sen. Webb): 04:53
SB 117 (Sen. Madon): 07:40
SB 121 (Sen. Wheeler): 10:52
SB 237 (Sen. Howell): 13:09
SB 71 (Sen. Boswell): 18:54
SB 174 (Sen. Nunn): 38:18
SB 176 (Sen. Nunn): 40:54
SB 183 (Sen. Nunn): 42:31
Adjournment: 49:51, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, which would create a risk-based AI governance framework for state government and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The sponsor said the bill came from the AI task force and is intended to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible use of AI while distinguishing between internal and external systems. The committee took a roll call vote and reported the bill out 7-0.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Webb, which would allow Kentucky Retirement System benefits to be designated to a Special Needs Trust for a beneficiary. Webb said the bill would help families of special-needs children preserve benefits for supplemental needs such as adaptive equipment, technology, and medical or dental care not covered by government programs. He said retirement systems had provided no-impact letters, and the bill passed 7-0.
Members also approved Senate Bill 117, which would let cities adjust incentive payments for training by appointed and elected city officials and remove the statutory minimum from ordinance requirements, and Senate Bill 121, which would authorize county judges to contract with rescue groups to deal with wild horse herds in rural areas. SB 117 passed 10-0 and SB 121 passed 10-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 71, as amended by a committee substitute, dealing with local library board appointments. Sen. Boswell said the bill was a compromise but that he preferred removing KDLA from the process entirely; library representatives opposed the committee substitute and said they wanted KDLA out of the selection process. Several senators expressed conditional support but said they wanted further changes, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out after a roll call vote with 10 yeas and 1 pass, with members noting they expected further floor amendments.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- additional staff to do the permanent water regulations on the Smith, excuse me, the Shasta and the Scott
- It will be done through OPC's existing Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Program grant
- Rogers, my department is not funding specific irrigator or landowner activity in the basin of the Scott
- So we are not funding specifically related to curtailments, but we have funded $10 million in the Scott
- We'd also like to offer our support to SB 72 by Senator Caviero and request an appropriation of $6.8
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.