Transcript Highlights:

• The bill directs the board to propose regulations that would provide for the establishment of a provisional
• This bill is a simple repealer.
• It repeals Section 35-1-8 of the Code, which concerns restrictions on the number of acres a church may

Summary: The Committee on Government Organization met with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, most of them related to licensing, local government administration, and agency operations. House Bill 5063 would let county commissions appoint a county commissioner as a voting member of a convention and visitors bureau board, including for multi-county CVBs; it was reported to the full Senate. House Bill 5087 would join the interstate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to obtain multi-state practice privileges in compact states, and it was also reported. The committee then took up a strike-and-insert amendment for House Bill 4793, which combined provisions affecting barbering/cosmetology apprenticeships and lowered certain age and education requirements; after adopting a Jefferson amendment clarifying the salon training language, the bill was reported as amended. Members next approved a strike-and-insert for House Bill 5638, which clarifies the State Chief Information Security Officer’s duties, changes cyber risk review procedures, and updates references to the Office of Technology head as the chief information officer; it was reported as amended. House Bill 4483, dealing with the Board of Funeral Examiners, was amended to change the effective date for licensee-in-charge requirements and make technical corrections, then reported as amended. House Bill 5653, requested by the Department of Revenue, would expand confidentiality protections to cover audit manuals, guidelines, procedures, algorithms, and related materials to prevent taxpayers from gaming audit selection, and it was reported. House Bill 4452 repeals acreage limits on church property ownership, and House Bill 4801 expands permissible uses of hotel occupancy tax funds to include demolition of unsafe structures and planning or improvement of public property; both were reported. The committee also advanced House Bill 5622, which creates an expedited process for municipalities to conform local election terms and procedures to the state requirement that municipal elections be held with statewide primaries or general elections, and recognizes the Secretary of State as keeper of municipal charter rolls. House Bill 4546 would allow business entities to file reports biennially instead of annually, with higher biennial fees and updated enforcement provisions; its strike-and-insert amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 5613 would define and regulate telematics for state fleet vehicles, require reporting on unsafe driving and corrective actions, and include cost-benefit information in annual reports; it was reported. House Bill 5323 would let the Division of Natural Resources adjust license and stamp fees for inflation by removing a prior CPI-based restriction, and House Bill 4819 would revise criminal-record standards for certain non-Chapter 30 occupational licenses, shifting to a direct-relationship standard while preserving existing exclusions for violent sexual offenses; both were reported. The committee then adjourned after closing remarks from the chair and vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• there is no reverse repealer in it. there is no reverse repealer in it.
• It adds a reverse repealer.
• </c> &gt;&gt; There is a reverse repealer in here? &gt;&gt; There is a reverse repealer in here?
• </c><01:32:45.800><c> hopefully</c> I think the reverse repealer hopefully I think the reverse repealer
• What we have done with the repealer.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to suspend repeal them.
• We also don't want to be in conflict with the federal regulations.
• So this would simply add a regulation. So that summarized my comments. All right.
• So this would the u federal regulations.
• </c> simply add or regulation. simply add or regulation.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the working connections child care program. 2025, Chapter 412, Section 13, are each repealed
• So what we did is we aligned with the federal government regulations related to attendance policy.
• , appreciate some of the reforms, some of which the good lady mentioned about the federal regulations
• And it's ridiculous, the regulations they choose to use. ...open, and it's ridiculous, the regulations
• We need to be reducing regulations. We need to be creating spots.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from Tammy Stamphley, a Presbyterian minister and hospital chaplain. After approving the previous day’s minutes and receiving a Senate message, the chamber moved to second and third reading of several bills, with multiple measures advanced under suspended rules. The first major vote was on Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which establishes a pre-K-related account to support up to 10,000 additional early learning slots for three- and four-year-olds. Supporters emphasized the Balmer Group’s private funding commitment and the value of early learning and family support; the bill passed 97-0. Substitute Senate Bill 5834, a Department of Retirement Systems request bill changing the fund source for legal, medical, administrative, and fraud-prevention expenses using interest earnings from pension funds, also passed 97-0. Substitute House Bill 2689, dealing with the Working Connections Child Care program, drew the most debate. Supporters said it aligned attendance policy with federal rules, adjusted reimbursement rates, and helped balance the budget while preserving child care resources. Opponents argued it cut support in rural and underserved counties, would worsen child care deserts, and placed budget savings on the child care industry; it passed 53-44. The House then passed Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer vehicle depreciation funds with OSPI approval, by 59-38, and Senate Bill 6065, a narrower bill for districts under enhanced financial oversight such as Prescott, by 97-0. The session ended with announcements that both caucuses would meet later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've met with a lot of you regarding, uh, different regulations in the past.
• I've met with a lot of you regarding, uh, different regulations in the past.
• I've met with a lot of you regarding, uh, different regulations in the past.
• I've met with a lot of you regarding, uh, different regulations in the past.
• I've met with a lot of you regarding different regulations in the past.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as I know, all those regulations are still in place.
• okay we Leon thank you madam regulations okay we Leon thank you madam chair<00:44:51.839><c> and</c>
• He would like to have at least some framework for regulating them in place, so he is comfortable with
• Representative Horan continued that he would like to have at least some framework for regulating them
• a statute the correct you have to repeal a statute the chapter<04:28:50.560><c> law</c><04:28:51.560

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• buffer zones, the same buyers who didn't do their due diligence on important local environmental regulations
• What's the cost to a corporation to have environmental regulations?
• We are not adjusting any environmental regulations or processes.
• With this law, the law that we are trying to repeal, that’s not available.”
• Pass that law and I think that we should continue by not repealing it. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and adult use cannabis regulations.
• Section 81 is a two-part repealer.
• Section 81 is a two-part repealer. 115. Section 81 is a two-part repealer.
• This repeals from Senate File 2162.
• </c><01:53:35.599><c> as</c> design standards that are repealed as design standards that are repealed

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:26.320><c> are</c> common Services those regulations are common Services those regulations
• And I support repeal of the law that created this costly and unnecessary Association.
• and and I Association and I repeal and and I support<02:01:41.960><c> repeal</c><02:01:42.360><c> the
• If the Vaccine Association were repealed, they would become responsible for that.
• Let's say we repeal this statute.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a rate regulator, essentially. It certifies the utilities.
• We typically are going to defer to NERC, who regulates the grid for these types of issues.
• If they’re not regulated by me and I don’t license them, it’s a little harder.”
• What about the federal regulations that we already have in place?
• What are the federal regulations and protections? But you can’t answer that.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee began by deferring six bills en bloc, then took up House Bill 1103, which would exempt certain industrial facility construction or improvement projects—especially aerospace-related facilities—from some local permitting requirements. Supporters said the goal was to reduce red tape and help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace investment, while members raised concerns about safety, home rule authority, and whether fewer permits could reduce oversight. The bill was reported favorably. Members then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1212, which would require utilities to assess large electric transformers for vulnerability to electromagnetic threats and report findings to GOSEP, with a public version of the report. The sponsor and a retired Marine officer argued the bill was a limited “scoping” measure to identify vulnerabilities to solar storms or EMP attacks and estimate hardening costs; they said the current federal standard is too low and that protection technology exists. Committee members and utility representatives questioned whether the bill duplicated existing federal/NERC requirements, whether the information could create security risks if disclosed, whether the PSC had already studied the issue, and whether the costs would be passed to ratepayers. The PSC said it had previously opened a docket and studied EMP/physical security issues but never issued a final recommendation. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to defer the bill, and the committee deferred HB 1212. The committee then reported several technical or narrower bills favorably: House Bill 241 updated bank records disclosure citations and replaced a reference to the defunct Office of Thrift Supervision with the CFPB; House Bill 1091 shifted local fire departments to direct reporting into the federal emergency response system; and House Bill 1027 extended existing liability protection for real estate agents to licensed appraisers regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance in one- and two-family homes. Finally, House Bill 1096, dealing with electrical cooperative bylaws and board authority versus member approval, was introduced with testimony from cooperative representatives explaining it was intended to restore member control or allow cooperatives to opt out of the 2012 change that had expanded board authority. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1096.

Transcript Highlights:

• that does address that and we're Extending that out from 2026 to 2031 and then we are also just repealing
• We have increased the compliance regulations.

Bills: SB1239 , SB1732

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• uh and that they were not regulation uh and that they were not superseded<00:34:01.120><c> by</c><00
• which very reasonably sector regulations which very reasonably the<00:34:10.240><c> local</c><00:34:
• We would push back strongly against any federal imposition of zoning regulations, and rightly so.
• So what this complicated amendment does simply is repeal 67423.
• </c> does simply is repeal does simply is repeal 67423<01:27:07.280><c> the</c><01:27:07.400><c> first

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm not really sure what it has, but simply my bill 1560 would repeal the repeal of the uh and it
• So, I'm not really sure what it has, but simply my bill 1560 would repeal the repeal of the uh and it
• So, I'm not really sure what it has, but simply my bill 1560 would repeal the repeal of the uh and it
• Please regulate the problem.
• Please regulate the problem. Do comfort. Please regulate the problem.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So the actual process to turn out the machines will require state regulators to make sure everything
• So the actual process to turn out the machines will require state regulators to make sure everything
• the historic horse racing law repealed the historic horse racing law and<00:27:34.520><c> that</c><00
• And what this does is repeals the local option requirement for Kino games. versus individually so uh
• the local option uh this does is repeals the local option uh requirement<00:35:51.200><c> for</c><00

Summary: The committee first heard Representative Sweeney present and defend the budget amendment legalizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) and setting a 30% tax rate, with 65% of the tax going to the state and 35% to charities. He argued the lower rate was needed to encourage operators of historic horse racing (HHR) machines to convert to VLTs, saying the higher 45% rate would discourage adoption. He walked through revenue projections for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, estimating significant increases in state and charity revenue as machines transition over time, and said the amendment was designed to expand charitable gaming revenue overall. Several members questioned the assumptions behind his projections and the basis for his analysis, including why his independent research differed from the governor’s and Lottery Commission’s estimates. Sweeney said his figures were based on research into other states and conversations over many years, and he maintained that a 45% tax would likely result in no VLT adoption. Members also debated whether the transition costs for operators would be quickly recouped and whether the state’s share should be larger. One member emphasized that the committee was effectively choosing between a lower operator share and a higher state share, while Sweeney argued the 30% structure would produce revenue for everyone. The committee then moved to other revenue items on the tracking sheet. It voted 7-0 to accept the Lottery Commission’s revised base revenue estimates. Members also discussed an amendment to repeal the local option requirement for Kino games, which would expand Kino availability and was estimated to generate additional lottery profit in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. That amendment drew opposition from members who said local control was an important part of the original Kino policy and that removing it would override municipal decisions. The committee also noted that the VLT/HHR revenue item had already been adopted and was being revisited only to confirm the associated revenue estimates.

Transcript Highlights:

• It wouldn't regulate political campaigns.
• It wouldn't regulate political campaigns.
• It wouldn't regulate political campaigns.
• It wouldn't regulate political campaigns.
• </c><05:41:03.920><c> utilities</c> excuse me that when regulated utilities excuse me that when regulated

Transcript Highlights:

• renewed interest in recent years in the taxation of multinationals and potential changes, including repealing
• Also note that the regulations California used then, a lot of the regulations California used then, .
• Also note that the regulations California used then allowed corporations to use reasonable approximations
• Those regulations, as we've heard, are still in place.
• Repealing the Waters Edge election could put us right back to where we were in the early 1980s.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the Water’s Edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Chairs opened by framing the issue as a review of whether current rules fairly and sufficiently tax foreign subsidiary income, given profit shifting concerns, budget pressures, and the long history since Water’s Edge was adopted in the 1980s. The first panel from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Franchise Tax Board explained the mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and the Water’s Edge election, and provided filing data showing Water’s Edge filers are a small share of returns but account for a large share of corporate tax liability. FTB witnesses said the agency already administers both methods and could handle a shift to mandatory worldwide reporting with education and outreach, though revenue estimates are difficult because foreign affiliate information is not directly available. Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, administrative burden, industries with more profit shifting, revenue uncertainty, and whether companies would leave California. LAO and FTB witnesses said pushback from foreign governments was plausible, but they did not expect major business flight because California’s tax is largely based on sales rather than physical presence. They also said worldwide reporting could reduce profit shifting but might increase revenue volatility and litigation risk. A second panel of academic and tax policy witnesses argued that Water’s Edge is a loophole that rewards aggressive tax planning, that worldwide combined reporting would better capture income tied to California, and that modern federal and international rules such as NCTI/GILTI, CAMT, and Pillar Two reduce compliance concerns and make a return to worldwide reporting more feasible. They also said California’s current system can create selection effects and may under-tax large multinationals. In the next panel, a California Budget and Policy Center witness urged eliminating the Water’s Edge election, calling it a costly loophole that benefits large global corporations over smaller domestic businesses and deprives the state of billions in revenue that could support health care and other services. A Silicon Valley Leadership Group witness gave historical context for why Water’s Edge was adopted and began outlining concerns about compliance, double taxation, and the risk of overreaching beyond income truly connected to California. No bill was voted on or advanced; the hearing was informational only, with members using the testimony to weigh the policy trade-offs and possible transition periods if the Legislature were to change the current rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• renewed interest in recent years in the taxation of multinationals and potential changes, including repealing
• Also note that the regulations California used then, a lot of the regulations California used then, Also
• note that the regulations California used then allowed corporations to use reasonable approximations
• Those regulations, as we've heard, are still in place.
• Repealing the Waters Edge election could put us right back to where we were in the early 1980s.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s taxation of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Committee members and witnesses discussed how unitary taxation and sales-factor apportionment work, why multinational corporations are a small share of filers but a large share of tax liability, and how foreign income, profit shifting, and double taxation concerns affect policy choices. The Franchise Tax Board explained current filing rules, the seven-year water’s-edge election, and recent filing statistics showing about 21,562 water’s-edge returns in 2023, roughly 6% of C corporation filers but about half of corporate tax liability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and FTB staff emphasized that revenue effects from eliminating water’s edge are uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable, and they noted possible revenue volatility and administrative complexity. Several committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the burden on FTB, whether certain industries are more likely to shift profits, and whether companies would leave California; witnesses generally said there was no strong evidence that firms would exit the state because tax liability is driven mainly by California sales. They also discussed how California already administers both methods, how the election can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on a firm’s facts, and how federal reforms like GILTI/NCTI, CAMT, and OECD Pillar Two may affect the issue. The second panel presented sharply contrasting views. One professor and a tax policy advocate argued that water’s edge creates unfairness, encourages profit shifting, and leaves California with billions in lost revenue, while a Tax Foundation witness argued that mandatory worldwide reporting would tax the wrong income, create double taxation and litigation risk, and impose heavy compliance burdens, especially for foreign-based multinationals. A later panel from the California Budget and Policy Center supported closing the “water’s-edge loophole,” saying it would raise needed revenue for public services and level the playing field between large multinationals and smaller domestic businesses. No vote or formal action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would regulate the sale of it.
• Federal carrier regulations, motor carrier regulations, commercial driver's licenses for years have stated
• carrier regulations, motor Federal carrier regulations, motor carrier<05:53:04.080><c> regulations,<
• </c> prison without parole after we repeal prison without parole after we repeal the<06:58:12.240><c>
• </c><07:22:32.320><c> the</c> Bill 50 was to repeal the Bill 50 was to repeal the unconstitutional<07

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> repealer and there's a strike all. repealer and there's a strike all.
• Just to add a reverse repealer. All right, um, motion is to adopt the repealer amendment.
• Just to add a reverse repealer. All right, um, motion is to adopt the repealer amendment.
• </c> add a reverse repealer. add a reverse repealer. &gt;&gt; All<01:36:26.880><c> right.
• . repealer. repealer.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, the department's regulation over the state's dig program.
• Um, the repeal in section five is also related to this.
• Um, the repeal in section five is also related to this.
• repeal in section five is also related to<00:07:45.360><c> this.
• companies to answer questions regulated companies to answer questions is<00:08:05.120><c> not</c><00

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration