Transcript Highlights:

• And we know the stock market could, Precariously at what the shifts and changes could happen.
• And we know the stock market could dramatically drop, especially as we're looking at global war and so

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Opening remarks emphasized CalPERS’ role in providing retirement security for roughly two million members and the importance of actuarial assumptions to state budgeting and long-term pension health. Scott Tarando, CalPERS chief actuary and a CAP member, presented the report with Michael Cohen of CalPERS’ investment office available for questions. Tarando explained the statutory disclosure requirements under Government Code Section 2029, including sensitivity analysis around CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate, and discussed how investment return assumptions and the 20-year amortization period affect contribution rates, unfunded liabilities, and budget volatility. He said shorter amortization periods would raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs, and noted that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth contribution changes over time. He also described the timing of the annual valuation process, explaining that contribution rates for a given fiscal year are based on the most recently audited year-end data and are approved by the board before being used in the budget process. Members asked about the relationship between average employee service life and amortization, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and labor-market changes on future assumptions, whether retirees’ benefits change with annual valuations, and CalPERS’ funded status. Tarando said the average expected working lifetime is about 11 to 12 years, while CalPERS uses a 20-year amortization period; he also said retiree benefits are set at retirement and do not change based on later valuations. He estimated CalPERS’ funded status had risen from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at June 30 and above 80% more recently. Cohen said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that no formal federal review had been released. During public comment, a county association representative praised the improved funded status and PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reiterating fiduciary responsibility and the need to protect CalPERS’ long-term stability, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to have it in stock. How many small businesses have that kind of product in stock?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• due to a PBM contractual gag clause, all I was able to tell him was that we were no longer able to stock
• medication to another pharmacy, and I was told that he couldn't find it elsewhere because no one was stocking

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• military installation fund and conform statutes outlining the uses of the fund to reflect the property acquisition

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• climate-controlled industrial paint booth, improved support roads, drainage and utilities, land acquisition

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Programs. After a roll call showing 18 members present, the committee adopted the March 9, 2026 minutes without objection. Commissioner Andrew Killshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce explained the Port Priority Program criteria and presented two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a $3.4 million building addition and infrastructure project requesting $2.853 million in state funds, and a $1.5 million Workforce Training Center redevelopment requesting $1.287 million. He said the projects were projected to create 265 jobs and generate substantial state benefits, with very high benefit-cost ratios. Members expressed support for the projects and for strengthening the port program overall. Chairman Boriak moved to approve the applications, and Senator Carter and others discussed the need to increase investment in ports and develop a statewide strategic plan to better compete for federal dollars. DOTD Multimodal Commerce staff, including Molly Bergoin, testified that the program has more than $200 million in backlog, that annual Transportation Trust Fund financing has made it difficult to reduce, and that the department hopes to clear 10 to 12 low-balance projects this year. They also said the request cap had been increased to $7 million per project this year and up to $21 million going forward, and that most projects are proceeding under reimbursement agreements because construction costs have risen sharply. After discussion, the committee voted without objection to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for the FY 2027-2028 program. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this, again, this task force, the expropriation and acquisition for strategic transformation, namely

Summary: The Civil Law and Procedure Committee met at 10:15 a.m. on May 26 and established a quorum. The first item was House Resolution 307 by Representative Dana Henry, which would create a task force to study expropriation, acquisition, and related issues tied to economic development in New Orleans East and the Louisiana International Terminal project. The resolution was described as focused on identifying underdeveloped parcels, clarifying ownership, and ensuring due process and safeguards against illegal takings. The chair moved to report H.R. 307 favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then considered Senate Bill 228 by Senator Duplessis, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funds to be used to replace drinking water utility service lines on private property, specifically to enable use of federal funds for lead pipe replacement on both sides of the water meter. Testimony from the sponsor and Paul Rainwater emphasized that the measure is narrowly tailored, intended to avoid the Constitution’s donation prohibition, and needed to access already-granted federal money. Members discussed why a constitutional amendment was necessary, whether the wording should specify federal funds, and whether the proposal could confuse voters. A draft 6.8A report recommended reporting SB 228 without amendments and noted a possible conflict with House Bill 603 because both measures amend the same constitutional section. The committee adopted the 6.8A report without objection, then approved a motion to report SB 228 without amendments. The meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Released by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, the bill: An act relative to the acquisition

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including adoption of resolutions congratulating Judy and Dick Jolin on their 50th wedding anniversary and commending the National Brain Tumor Society for Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The chamber also welcomed guests recognizing Apraxia Awareness Day. A gubernatorial message proposing injured-on-duty compensation for Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinale was filed and referred to the Committee on Public Service. The House concurred in several Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including measures on consumer-connected devices, crumbling concrete relief for homeowners, and naming the Hianus Transportation Center. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition on reporting crimes to law enforcement, and for a quantum science tax incentive petition, which was then referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling placed three House bills on the calendar: the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code, a Holyoke Charter change removing the treasurer as acting mayor, and a Kingston measure raising the maximum retirement age for special police officers to 70. The House then advanced and passed to be enacted three engrossed bills concerning Andover special town meetings, the Plymouth town charter, and an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license for Pembroke. It also passed to be engrossed bills on expanded small property tax abatements in Auburn, validation of the New Salem annual town election, and land acquisition/disposition in Falmouth. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• start looking for jobs at other companies that are still where they could keep their residence, the stock
• start looking for jobs at other companies that are still where they could keep their residence, the stock
• </c> the stock market will look at that. the stock market will look at that.
• 02.440><c> the</c> they could uh keep their residence, the they could uh keep their residence, the stock
• market will look at that and say stock market will look at that and say "Your<00:33:04.600><c> company

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He took the bank public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016.
• on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016.<00:12:08.320><c> Today,</c><00:12:08.720><c> First</c><00:12
• Stock market has taken a hit. shrunk.
• , that they should buy buy Tesla stock, that they should buy Tesla<08:59:52.398><c> stock.
• Uh, again, violating his Tesla stock.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Bills: HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB714, HB762, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB56, SB69, SB115, SB133, SB151, SB170, SB235, SB278, SB330, SB420, SB438, SB449, SB489

Keywords: U.S. Highway 90, US 90, Highway 90, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, DOTD, bridge removal, closed bridges, bridge demolition, transportation funding, federal appropriations, THUD appropriations, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, infrastructure, road reconstruction, evacuation route, hurricane evacuation corridor, New Orleans metro area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, public safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage. Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably. Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because their stock price has been driven down and they've been over-diluted.
• Because their stock price has been driven down and they've been over diluted.
• environment and that we're going to be rationing down the rate of return even further, that drives stock
• When they're trading at 13x on P/E compared to 22x of other utilities, you cannot dilute that stock anymore
• environment and that we're going to be rationing down the rate of return even further, that drives stock

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also talking about increasing their housing stock and housing options.
• We're also talking about increasing their housing stock and housing options.
• We're also talking about increasing their housing stock and housing options.
• We're also talking about increasing their housing stock and housing options.
• We're also talking about increasing their housing stock and housing options.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifty percent of Mano's housing stock is already multifamily, and we desire to preserve the existing
• Fifty percent of Mano's housing stock is already multifamily, and we desire to preserve the existing
• <00:17:36.400><c> of</c><00:17:36.559><c> Mano's</c><00:17:37.280><c> housing</c><00:17:37.679><c> stock
• </c> community. 50% of Mano's housing stock community. 50% of Mano's housing stock is<00:17:38.240><c
• As I mentioned earlier, 50% of Mano's housing stock is already multifamily.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as one of being shipped over from China as one of the<00:15:48.880><c> feed</c><00:15:49.199><c> stocks
• not really great idea the feed stocks not really great idea both<00:15:52.040><c> in</c><00:15:52.199
• that some feed stocks uh can result<00:27:21.679><c> in</c><00:27:21.799><c> up</c><00:27:21.919><c>
• </c><01:14:14.360><c> that</c><01:14:14.480><c> our</c> the crops and feed stocks that our the crops
• and feed stocks that our Farmers<01:14:15.000><c> produce</c><01:14:15.400><c> right</c><01:14:15.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• around at the OCA basically involves letting the utilities take on the risk of default service acquisition
• around at the OCA basically involves letting the utilities take on the risk of default service acquisition
• around at the OCA basically involves letting the utilities take on the risk of default service acquisition
• around at the OCA basically involves letting the utilities take on the risk of default service acquisition
• around at the OCA basically involves letting the utilities take on the risk of default service acquisition

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when there is an acquisition like that about to happen, HCA acquiring a nonprofit, both the Charitable
• </c> nature so when there is an acquisition nature so when there is an acquisition like<03:37:44.800>
• and and they're big they're Acquisitions and and they're big they're complex<03:38:05.479><c> they're
• Witness: It's a great point, and it's not just a hospital acquisition.
• </c> and it's not just a hospital acquisition and it's not just a hospital acquisition but<03:47:58.359

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• that if you like fishing, you should love wild rice because it really does promote a healthy fish stock
• /c><00:17:56.160><c> a</c><00:17:56.320><c> healthy</c><00:17:56.720><c> fish</c><00:17:56.960><c> stock
• </c> really does promote a healthy fish stock really does promote a healthy fish stock uh<00:17:57.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, what happens to, like, their personal documents that are in the safe deposit box, like wills, stock
• that are in the safe deposit box like that are in the safe deposit box like wheels,<00:23:25.919><c> stock
• </c><00:23:26.240><c> certificates,</c> wheels, stock certificates, wheels, stock certificates, you<00

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The core, uh, an oral language acquisition program is still 48 to 57 total hours of time to complete
• 00:14:12.320><c> language</c> comprehensive knowledge language comprehensive knowledge language acquisition
• :14.360><c> used</c><00:14:14.720><c> to</c><00:14:14.880><c> help</c><00:14:15.120><c> our</c> acquisition
• are being used to help our acquisition are being used to help our literacy<00:14:15.800><c> coordinator
• program is still 48 language acquisition program is still 48 to<00:15:15.639><c> 57</c><00:15:16.279

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look on line 16, the change adds the sentence, 'allows for the acquisition of new rights.'

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met with a quorum, approved the January 28, 2026 minutes, and was informed that Governor Little had withdrawn the reappointment of Estella Zamora to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, ending further committee action on that appointment. The committee then considered and approved a rules docket from the Idaho State Lottery (IDAPA 52.01.03), which the director said was largely a cleanup and simplification effort. He highlighted changes to improve transparency around parent-company ownership, clarify draw games, simplify bingo paper language, and remove outdated or redundant provisions; the rule package reduced the text substantially in word count, paragraphs, lines, and pages. The committee next heard RS 329-88-C-1 from Senator Brandon Shippey, which would grant Koenig Distillery a specialty liquor license allowing it to sell liquor by the drink from brands it owns. Shippey said the distillery is a small family business outside city limits, so it cannot obtain a quota-type city license and is at a competitive disadvantage compared with distilleries inside cities. He said the proposal was developed with input from ISP, Alcohol Beverage Control, and legislators who toured the facility, and noted similar allowances exist in neighboring states. The committee voted to send the RS to print. Senator Ben Adams then presented RS 331-34, a revised public lands proposal. He said the change adds language allowing the acquisition of new rights, describing it as a minor adjustment that addresses concerns without creating new objections. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The meeting then adjourned.