Transcript Highlights:

• My intern for Senate District 32, Connor Wilson, is in the East Gallery.
• So if the school district updates a district-wide policy related to, let's say, school safety, or they're
• that policy change that the school district is trying to to.
• sponsor will create policy-wide or district-wide?
• I know that my district didn't send me here for this, right?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions before taking up the special order calendar. The chamber first postponed CS/SB 80 on state land management, then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions when identical or nearly identical. Early actions included unanimous passage of HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a recycling and waste-diversion roadmap, and passage of CS/CS/SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking after amendments addressing out-of-service credits and former phosphate mine lands; that bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional concerns. The Senate also passed HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, adding a sentencing multiplier and a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, and HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, with $190,000 in nonrecurring implementation funds and a July 1, 2026 implementation date. The chamber then approved HB 1089 to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, and HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects, lower the approval threshold, and clarify ownership and reimbursement issues. Members discussed funding levels and whether insurance premium credits would be required, but the bill passed unanimously. The Senate also passed HB 1145 on workforce education, HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, and HB 181 on parole guidelines, all without recorded opposition. CS/CS/SB 976 on court-appointed psychologists also passed unanimously, as did HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, which broadened protections against non-consensual and digitally forged intimate images. Later, the Senate approved HB 1156 creating the Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program, after clarifying training requirements and hearing support that the measure would help families keep medically fragile children at home while compensating trained parents. The chamber also passed HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care, with an amendment allowing designated facilities to retain stabilized patients who still meet involuntary examination criteria. Throughout the day, senators used questions and debate to probe charter school governance in CS/CS/SB 822, which was substituted with HB 443 and amended to expand charter autonomy over conduct codes, enrollment, reporting, and facility use while maintaining sponsor oversight; that bill was placed on the calendar for third reading rather than voted on in the excerpt. Several other measures, including SB 716, SB 76, and the final SB 1252 item, were postponed or not reached before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• district for the non-public aid.
• district for the non-public aid.
• district for the non-public aid.
• </c><00:38:33.119><c> and</c><00:38:33.280><c> District</c> the public school district and District the
• </c> district has and it encourages districts district has and it encourages districts to<01:21:25.280

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we hear from the Marysville School District. Welcome.
• They do amazing work, and districts love working with them.
• They serve about 20% of our most at-need districts, districts who are in the bottom 10% of the, you know
• But those districts often have varied needs.
• District facilities are scarce.

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is an amazing financial tool for families, as we all have navigated with our kids.
• So every senator here and every House representative has a 4-H program in their district.
• So every senator here and every House representative has a 4-H program in their district.
• So every senator here and every House representative has a 4-H program in their district.
• She also competed in district 4-H contest and received the high point individual in horticulture.

Transcript Highlights:

• know this </font> <font color="aaaaaa">because I've 12 counties in my </font> <font color="aaaaaa">district
• visited every </font> <font color="aaaaaa">single I hear about the need </font> <font color="aaaaaa">district
• font color="aaaaaa">the personnel and technical </font> <font color="aaaaaa">training necessary to navigate
• font color="aaaaaa">the personnel and technical </font> <font color="aaaaaa">training necessary to navigate
• color="aaaaaa">the multitude of opportunities </font> <font color="aaaaaa">training necessary to navigate

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also offer support so that they can navigate through the system through the Ohana Navigator
• And then we also offer support so that they can navigate through the system through the Ohana Navigator
• 00:26:12.720><c> navigator</c><00:26:13.279><c> program.
• </c> the ohana navigator program. the ohana navigator program.
• ><c> court</c><00:59:31.280><c> instituted</c> um the first district court instituted um the first district

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Maria Isabel Pérez Vega, I represent District 65B in our Minnesota State House of Representatives
• Here in District del Sol, where a street bears César Chávez's name and where we have publicly placed
• This is a message of us in solidarity, saying that we are committed to navigating this challenge together
• </c> to navigating this challenge together. to navigating this challenge together.
• And we are collaboratively working with not only the Westside District of Sol, but with all Minnesotans

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, though, I want to ask each of the committee members to introduce themselves and their district
• Representative Chason, First Bristol District, Mansfield, Foxborough, Norton.
• Howitt, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Norton, and Swansea, 4th Bristol District.
• Hi, Ellen Silvius, also Nurse Navigator in the Mass General Sickle Cell Center.
• But, you know, it costs money to have staff nurses and a social worker and a patient navigator.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's no different in my district.
• It's no different in my district.
• Many of those people face district.
• </c><01:24:24.800><c> and</c> across the street from my district and across the street from my district
• For over 40 headquarter in my district.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• , and a lot of times other people have a difficult time navigating.
• </c><00:24:02.480><c> They're</c><00:24:02.680><c> stepping</c> all of your districts.
• They're stepping all of your districts.
• parents navigating medical They're parents navigating medical emergencies,<00:44:56.640><c> housing<
• the complexities of the to navigate the complexities of the system. system. system.

Bills: HF3877 , HF3714 , HF3750 , HF3024

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in District 2 of Hood County one Bitcoin mining operation, three gas-generating plants with a
• I'm in your district. I appreciate you hearing me out today.
• We did that with school districts.
• a 10-year school district M&O tax-appraised value limitation of 50%.
• You can see each of you has legislative district one-pagers specific to your district, and between 71%

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Nina Salerno, Modoc County District Attorney, on behalf of California District Attorneys
• Chair and members, Nina Salerno, Modal County District Attorney on behalf of California District Attorney's
• In the district that I represent, we lead L.A. County, and L.A.
• Nina Slarno, I'm the Modaw County District Attorney.
• I'm here on behalf of the California District Attorneys Association.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nina Salerno, Modoc County District Attorney, on behalf of the California District Attorneys Association
• Chair and members, Nina Salerno, Modal County District Attorney on behalf of California District Attorney's
• In the district that I represent, we lead L.A. County, and L.A.
• Nina Slarno, I'm the Modaw County District Attorney.
• I'm here on behalf of the California District Attorneys Association.

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard several bills and adopted a consent calendar of six measures, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies buying firearms, ammunition, or accessories for law enforcement to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said it would prevent taxpayer dollars from going to irresponsible dealers; opponents argued it imposed unnecessary bureaucracy and vague standards. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by clarifying battery penalties, allowing restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, police chiefs, and other supporters backed the measure, while public defenders and civil liberties groups raised concerns about clarity, judicial discretion, and impacts on riders who rely on transit. The bill passed unanimously to Judiciary. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture cases from seven to 20 years; supporters emphasized the severity of the abuse and the need for stronger accountability, while opponents argued the parole system already screens risk and that prevention would be more effective. It passed to Appropriations. AB 1092, which would extend concealed carry permit renewals from two to four years, drew support from gun rights groups and sheriffs but was opposed by the chair, who called it a solution in search of a problem; the bill failed. AB 1036, by the chair, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people serving felony sentences of one year or more, including Brady material and jury selection notes; innocence organizations supported it, while district attorneys objected that it was too broad and burdensome. It passed to Appropriations, with members noting ongoing negotiations over amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just talk to anybody trying to navigate the regulations set out. It has been absolutely brutal.
• So her Wisconsin Washington, Washington, which was super helpful when navigating what we're at right
• </c> which was super helpful when navigating which was super helpful when navigating what<00:40:18.960
• God has put one of the largest reservoirs of water in that district.
• . district. district.

Transcript Highlights:

• District schools are also eligible to participate in the program.
• It's my understanding that district schools did not apply, but even if they did, the program and the
• navigate real briefly what you're looking at here, the schools that are approved are on the left.
• And yeah, that was a district school, not a charter school.
• Both public school districts and charter schools can participate in the program.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senator Craig Richardson, representing District 3.
• </c> District 3. District 3.
• She Her constituent in my district.
• ,</c><00:41:51.480><c> Boone</c> Mary Ann Proctor, 60th District, Boone Mary Ann Proctor, 60th District
• I am Savannah Maddox, and I represent the 61st House District. Senator Aaron Reed, District 7.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 62, which is Cass and Bates County.
• Every city, every one of your districts could be impacted by this.
• So it could be... district, GE and Hasbro, or 10,000 jobs.
• And we feel that this bill is very complimentary to the historic districts.
• These innovation districts would be very beneficial to each community.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also, outside of the program, navigate a number of companies.
• We sort of have tailored navigation plans for them.
• leaders, academia, and industry that come in and really work one-on-one with these companies to help navigate
• So after we navigate, we showcase them to these investors and to the government.
• If you have sites in your communities, in your districts, I would absolutely encourage you to work with

Transcript Highlights:

• This occurrence happened in my district with the McElroy family, who are here today.
• Richmond, including two that are in the districts of senators sitting on this committee.
• It's continuous compliance on how to navigate all these things.
• As an emerging winery, you have to navigate the realities of the market.
• In all but two of your legislative districts, you have lost child care subsidies.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting $180,000 ongoing and federal funds to align the funding available through the Kinship Navigation
• In its seventh year, the Kinship Navigation Grant supports services for kinship families, relatives,
• And so a group of legislators were very hard with the department and identified in public health districts
• found a million dollars of General Fund and appropriated it as pass-through funding to the health districts
• Now, I can understand taking 3% out of that and pass it over to the health districts to keep the program

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare