Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing that 30 days before each of those payments, and the family's deadline is two weeks before
• And we do that by child payment, and I can tell you it's a very large book.
• And we do that by child payment, and I can tell you it's a very large book.
• They say, “I’m leaving,” and then the answer to what I asked would be that the payments are based on
• marketplace direct um you know payments when<05:12:36.160><c> the</c><05:12:36.240><c> orders</c><05

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, in general, for federal lands, the United States is doing payments in lieu of taxes.
• We have some folks from Indian Country who are asking for payment in lieu of taxes for the tribes in
• Other services the individual might need do not have a payment source.
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the regular fee-for-service payments, we do make hospital access payments and cost settlements
• Our UPL payment, or upper payment limit payment, is $473 million for state fiscal year 25.
• upper payment limit payments.
• Medicare is considered the upper payment. So the difference is the total payment that can be paid.
• So the hospitals fund their upper payment limit payments.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• And homeowners have no way to come up with this cash because the associations have not methodically put
• As a matter of fact, it's remarkable that they could have seen a payment history, absolutely perfect,
• up until the moment that they changed auto pay providers, and then they go from there and no payment
• If the members missed two consecutive assessment payments, then a second notice by certified mail with
• And obviously, when the Davis-Stirling Act was written, we didn't have things like electronic payments

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. AB 2002 would clarify and extend the REAP 1.0 regional housing planning grant program, with the author and regional planning groups arguing it provides needed technical assistance for housing elements and RHNA compliance; the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended over concerns about local constraints. The committee discussed accepted amendments on regulations, suballocation to subregions, and spending deadlines, and then passed the bill on a do pass as amended motion to Senate Appropriations. AB 1684 would prohibit HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace cooling systems, with supporters citing heat safety and opponents focusing on building integrity, electrical capacity, permits, and common-area placement; the committee adopted amendments on licensed electrical contractors, disclosure, and permit requirements, and passed the bill to Senate Judiciary. AB 1710 would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional agencies so housing projects are not subject to later regulatory changes, with supporters emphasizing predictability and opponents warning it could conflict with later state, regional, and federal requirements, especially for water and environmental rules; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Local Government. The committee also heard AB 2263, which would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to provide employee housing on its land with a preference for VTA workers while keeping units open to the public and compliant with fair housing law. VTA said the bill would help employees facing long commutes and high housing costs, and the committee discussed financing through transit-oriented development partnerships and existing land holdings; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. AB 2270 would require the state tax credit committee to account for rural realities when scoring farmworker housing projects for low-income housing tax credits; supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages rural farmworker developments, and the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. Later, AB 2118 would refine AB 2011 by limiting local objective standards that can block mixed-use and affordable housing projects, with supporters saying cities still use loopholes to delay projects; the committee discussed possible state mandate reimbursement issues and passed the bill to Local Government. Finally, AB 2050 would require HOA reserve funding based on reserve studies, add notice and safeguards for reserve transfers, and phase in funding over six years; supporters argued it would prevent large special assessments and protect homeowners, while opponents said enforcement remains weak and the bill could still burden owners. The committee did not take a final recorded vote on AB 2050 in the portion provided, but members discussed the need for stronger enforcement and the balance between reserve funding and affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of protecting our ratepayers, so what was added was the risk of non-payment of such costs may
• As I understood your answer, it is that if a data center doesn't pay its bill, if they have non-payment
• in here that gives me some reassurance is the language that is in here related to the risk of non-payment
• in here that gives me some reassurance is the language that is in here related to the risk of non-payment
• balances and cash flow statements.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of protecting our ratepayers, what was added was that the risk of non-payment of such costs
• As I understood your answer, it is that if a data center doesn't pay its bill, if they have non-payment
• the local government the ability to pull something out of a rural boundary instead of making that payment
• the local government the ability to pull something out of a rural boundary instead of making that payment
• balances and cash flow statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• money released to the cotton jitters and if there's never been a more industry that's deserving of cash
• Specifically, a broker may exclude the rebate payments it makes to its dealers.
• A dealer may exclude rebate payments.
• I don't know, but are rebate payments currently excluded from taxation?
• I showed some food there just in case you're hungry, and please pay cash when you go out to eat.

Bills: SB264 , SB542 , SB924 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1036 , SB1057 , SB1058 , SB1185 , SB1202 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1569 , SB1664 , SB1697 , SJR50

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure that that payment is a harm. It sounds like it's a contractual obligation.
• </c><00:31:54.400><c> is</c><00:31:54.920><c> a</c> I'm not sure that that payment is a I'm not sure
• <00:32:21.520><c> out</c><00:32:21.600><c> of</c><00:32:21.679><c> a</c><00:32:22.040><c> payment</c>
• </c> payment out of a payment for a contract. payment out of a payment for a contract.
• So, the legitimate customer gets to put the cash into the kiosk and then they get their crypto after

Bills: SB1166 , SB888 , SB2387 , SB2471

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard SB 1166 SD2, a bill on insurance and climate-related damages that would authorize the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and, in amended versions discussed during testimony, other public and private entities to pursue civil actions to recover losses tied to climate disasters and extreme weather. DCCA’s Insurance Division and the Department of the Attorney General raised legal concerns, saying the bill’s scope may not fit the insurance code section being amended, that it could create subject-matter and title issues, and that some subrogation language may be duplicative of existing rate-filing practice. Lawyers for Justice opposed the measure, arguing it conflicts with existing subrogation law and recent Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that treat the judicial lien process as the exclusive remedy. The American Petroleum Institute also opposed, warning the bill would add liability and litigation risk for companies operating under existing permits and could undermine energy reliability and investment. Supporters said the bill would help shift climate-related insurance costs away from residents and onto fossil fuel companies and other responsible parties. Testimony in support came from the Polluters Pay Hawaii Coalition, Center for Climate Integrity, Hawaii Island Council, Our Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, who described recent flooding, storm damage, rising premiums, non-renewals, and underinsurance as evidence of a worsening climate-driven insurance crisis. Several supporters urged amendments to give the Attorney General explicit authority to recover insurance-related losses for the Hurricane Relief Fund, HPIA, and private insurers, and to ensure recovered amounts benefit policyholders. Committee members questioned whether HPIA is a private entity, whether the Attorney General could represent it, whether the bill could create double recovery or affect pending climate litigation, and whether insurers would have standing or damages if they are only paying contractual claims. The committee then took up SB 888 SD2, a consumer protection bill that would restrict smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a judicial order, and would bar conditioning device use on such consent. The Office of Consumer Protection testified in support and said an Illinois law could serve as a useful template for exceptions to the warrant requirement. An individual supporter said the measure would protect immigrant communities, judges, and others from surveillance and misuse of private data. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair noted additional written testimony submitted in support of SB 1166.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the first page, Section 1 appropriates funding to government units for the county seat, or the payment
• to have to— ...the Assembly caused this additional expense, and we're going to have to pony up the cash
• Section 18 details the various steps that the state treasurer can take to issue total payments at the
• Section 32 would not allow the University of Delaware to make payments for utility bills and building
• Section 32 would not allow the University of Delaware to make payments for utility bills and building

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2216, Aguiar-Curry, Valley and Delta Conservancy, do pass as amended to cap advance payments at 25%
• AB 2258, Avila Farías, child care alternative payment program, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2314, Rogers, Child Care Alternative Payment Program, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 2481, Soria, BCRFA quality incentive payments, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 1793, Ward, cash payment calculation, do pass. That's out with Republicans not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the first month rent to get into a new housing situation or a short-term payment to allow them to
• We only have one recommendation, and that recommendation is that the Legislature retire these payment
• Doing so would return UC and CSU state payments to their regular schedule.
• As it relates to the year 5 compact payment, this reflects $254.3 million ongoing General Fund for the
• As it relates to the partial fourth-year compact payment in the budget year for the UC, this is $96.3

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education held its first 2026 hearing on higher education, focusing on UC and CSU system updates, student housing, enrollment, and core operations. In opening remarks, the chair noted recent state fiscal stress, the prior rejection of proposed UC/CSU cuts, and the Governor’s proposed 5% ongoing compact increases. UC President James B. Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia described the systems’ public value, research and workforce roles, and the impact of federal actions on grants, financial aid, and campus operations. Both also emphasized Title IX and civil rights efforts; CSU said it had implemented nearly all state auditor recommendations and was on track to finish the remaining one, while UC highlighted its systemwide civil rights and Title IX offices. Both leaders said federal investigations, grant cancellations, and litigation demands were consuming staff time and money, with UC reporting more than 200 grants lost or affected and CSU citing more than $161 million in lost grants and more than 1,600 grants affected overall. The committee then heard on student housing. Finance and LAO staff said the Governor’s budget made no major new housing proposal but continued support for the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. CSU reported 12 supported projects that will add about 5,047 beds, most below market rate, with four already open and seven more expected this year; it also said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing emergency housing support. UC said the program has supported seven UC projects and two joint community college projects, adding more than 7,000 beds total, but nearly 10,000 UC students were on housing waitlists at the start of fall 2025. UC asked for additional state support, including possible bond funding and a statutory change to allow UC participation in public-private partnership housing projects. Members discussed rapid rehousing, student homelessness, faculty and staff housing, and community college housing partnerships, with both systems describing existing emergency beds and support services. On enrollment, LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan, and holding UC flat in 2027-28. For CSU, LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 target downward to reflect current projections, funding growth separately, and holding 2027-28 flat. CSU said it had rebounded from COVID declines, now exceeds its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE spots from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. CSU also described direct admissions, transfer success pathways, and new degree programs aimed at workforce needs. UC said it had surpassed its compact enrollment goals, planned to add 2,721 California undergraduates in 2026-27, and was seeking $5.5 million for health professional programs. Members raised concerns about underprepared freshmen, K-12 alignment, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, deferred maintenance, ROTC access, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pipelines. The final item on core operations addressed the Governor’s proposal to defer 3% base funding again, moving the one-time deferral to 2027-28 and allowing short-term zero-interest loans to cover it.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a lot of farmers asking, was that our bridge payments, was that our DMC, our immediate concern
• was that our DMC our immediate payments was that our DMC our immediate concern<00:04:22.079><c> was<
• Coming soon, our down payment assistance grant. Many of you will remember this.
• You have given us funding in the past in previous bonding bills through GO bonds and cash.
• You have given us funding in the past in previous bonding bills through GO bonds and cash.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Philippe is correct, historically, 80%—in the 80s, 80% of the cases... ...have been for non-payment
• of rent issue sooner. ...access assistance to resolve their non-payment of rent issue sooner.
• And third would be to close loopholes in payment and identification, requiring payment by delayed check
• only, no cash or electronic workarounds.
• So that's one of the things we're talking about: do you call before you cash the invoice?

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Summary: The committee met in Mill Creek and first heard an update on eviction proceedings from King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott and then from the Office of Civil Legal Aid and Snohomish County Legal Services. Judge Scott said eviction filings are at historic highs statewide, with King County seeing a growing backlog after pandemic-era declines, though recent added judicial resources have reduced pending cases and brought average filing-to-disposition time down to about 60 days. He described county-by-county differences in how eviction calendars are handled and said courts are working with landlords, legal aid, and housing advocates to balance speed, due process, and access to counsel. Committee members asked about average timelines, tracking outcomes after eviction, and whether other counties offer useful models. Legal aid witnesses said Washington’s appointed counsel program has expanded access to representation statewide, except that King County still lacks enough resources for full representation in every case. They said the program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, often helps connect clients to social services, and has kept many people housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without counsel. A Snohomish County provider said most of its cases now involve nonpayment of rent and emphasized the program’s role in preventing homelessness and helping clients secure benefits and housing stability. The second work session focused on theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff outlined existing criminal and scrap-metal laws, including malicious mischief and theft statutes, plus licensing and recordkeeping rules for scrap metal businesses. Comcast, Mason PUD3, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft and damage to aerial cable and utility infrastructure have become a crisis, causing outages, public safety risks, and major costs. Witnesses described incidents affecting 911 service, schools, hospitals, home health monitoring, and electric reliability, and said thieves often cannot distinguish between copper, fiber, and other lines. Utility and recycling representatives urged stronger audits, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, better identification and payment rules, and more coordinated enforcement. Committee members asked about the motive for fiber damage, the role of out-of-state resale, and whether other states have useful approaches; witnesses said there is no easy fix and that best practices such as marking cable and improving interagency coordination could help. The final item was a briefing from the Criminal Justice Training Commission on standards for law enforcement certification and decertification. Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained the difference between an agency commission and state certification, the training and background process for officers, and the grounds and procedures for mandatory and discretionary decertification. They said agencies conduct the background checks, CJTC reviews complaints and reports, and officers are entitled to administrative hearings and court review. Members asked about elected sheriffs, and CJTC clarified that sheriffs are not required to undergo the same pre-employment background check as other applicants, though many are already certified officers and remain subject to decertification rules; the commission said it has decertified a sheriff since 2021. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These then became very useful for the State Investment Board, so we do cash flow projections for them
• I have a question because you've spent some time talking about the latest increase and the payment for
• I assume that we did make a kind of a change on going to a 15-year payment period for pension benefit
• And so basically, even though they suspended the payment, it still is a 15-year payment obligation, is
• Your payment obligation, is that right? That will be paid over 12 years by those employers.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• IT HAS IN THERE $DOLLAR 5.9 BILLION, SCHOOL TO DISTRICT PAYMENTS.
• . >> This extender, in addition to that $5.9 billion in additional school aid distribution, has a payment
• These payments really are contingent upon the timing of them, and that is why this is in this particular
• These payments really are contingent upon the timing of them, and that is why this is in this particular
• &gt;&gt; >> By spin-up, it means in advance of payment.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is really like a cash collection system.
• payment assistance.
• Down payment, okay.
• And that's the main key thing for that loan assistance: they help you with your down payment.
• This program offers low-interest home mortgage loans and down payment assistance.

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas, there continues to be uncertainty about the timeline for payment. of SNAP benefits.
• 10928) and others, an act relating to general appropriations, making appropriations from legislative cash

Transcript Highlights:

• Because about all my experience with cost versus, you know, market or cash value is just about insurance
• levied, bonds remaining outstanding and the debt fund reserves do not exceed the following year's payment
• Instead, Hancock has been implemented so that you cannot keep more than one year's debt payments.
• He said the school district cannot keep more than one year's payment.
• The witness replied that you cannot keep more than a year's payment in reserves throughout the entire

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2709, including a substitute that combined language from HB 2709 and HB 2671. Members debated an amendment that would have separated the Hancock-by-subclass portion from a personal property tax provision; supporters said it would make the bill cleaner and preserve a separate property tax issue already addressed elsewhere, while opponents argued it would create inconsistency. The amendment failed, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2709 and HB 2671 was voted do pass by a roll call of 14 yes and 5 no. The committee then passed HB 1759 do pass by a vote of 12 yes and 7 no, with one member noting that additional tweaks were expected on the floor. Next, the committee considered HB 2925, where Representative Fowler offered Amendment 04H to remove the requirement that property tax elections be held in November and replace it with an affirmative-consent standard requiring both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of registered voters voting yes. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing local tax elections into a narrow election window and would require broader voter buy-in for long-term tax obligations; opponents argued it would be a major change that should receive more public review and could distort local election participation. The amendment failed 5 yes to 14 no, and HB 2925 was then voted do pass 11 yes to 8 no. In public testimony, Representative Van Schoiack presented HB 2415, which would require assessors to use a cost approach rather than a market approach for valuing buildings, while still valuing land through the market approach. He said the bill was intended to address over-assessment in larger counties and under-assessment in rural counties, and to make valuations more objective. Testimony was mixed: a public advocate supported the idea as a way to address rising taxes and tax sales, while county assessors and other witnesses said assessors already use multiple approaches, that cost approach works best for new or rural properties but can be subjective for older buildings, and that forcing one method statewide could create inaccuracies and large valuation swings. No action was taken on HB 2415 during the hearing. The committee also heard HJR 148 and HJR 111, presented by Representatives Coleman and Taylor, to bring Kansas City Public Schools under Hancock limits like other districts. Sponsors said KCPS is the only district still operating under a special court-imposed arrangement from desegregation-era orders and that the proposal would keep the district at its current levy while requiring voter approval for future increases. KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier opposed the measure as written, saying the district does want to come under Hancock but needs to do so on its own timeline and with a planned April 2027 levy proposal that would maintain the current rate; she said the district is now fiscally stronger and has community support, including passage of an 85% bond issue. Committee members questioned the legal basis, the effect on KCPS and charter schools, and whether the proposal would interfere with the district’s planned ballot strategy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to get the number, but I do have the stats on our payment metrics.
• We understand that we need to improve our payment speed.
• We have onboarded additional resources to speed up our payments.
• We're reducing documentation required for claims payment.
• Currently, this payment gap is a significant challenge.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills related largely to Arizona’s behavioral health and Access system, plus a fertility coverage mandate, a state hospital admissions bill, and a naturopathic scope-of-practice bill. SB 1114 would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for investigations into behavioral health patient brokering; the sponsor described ongoing fraud involving vulnerable Native American patients, while some members questioned why the Attorney General was not handling the work. The bill passed 10-1 with one present. SB 1116 would require claim denials and appeal determinations for American Indian Health Program behavioral health services to be reviewed by someone with at least two years of relevant clinical experience; Access said it was neutral but raised concerns about vague language and added staffing needs, and the bill passed 7-4 with one present. SB 1346 would require Access to notify providers of claim deficiencies within 72 hours and approve or deny corrected claims within 10 business days; supporters said it would reduce long delays and unpaid claims, while Access said it would need more staff and system changes. The bill passed 7-5. The committee also approved SB 1347, which requires insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients of reproductive age whose treatment is likely to cause infertility, with a religious-employer exemption. Supporters, including cancer survivors and an advocacy representative, said the bill protects patients who must make rapid decisions before treatment begins; insurers were neutral. The bill passed unanimously 12-0. SB 1813 would require the Arizona State Hospital to admit patients based on clinical need rather than county of residence, effectively ending the Maricopa County cap tied to the Arnold v. Sarn settlement. Supporters argued the cap leaves seriously ill patients waiting in other facilities for long periods, while ADHS warned of possible litigation and rural access concerns; the bill passed 9-2 with one present. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1178, which would allow naturopathic physicians to administer certain antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals intravenously. The sponsor argued naturopaths should be able to practice to the full scope of their training amid physician shortages, while the Arizona Medical Association and osteopathic representatives opposed the bill, saying IV antimicrobials are high-risk therapies that require hospital-level training, monitoring, and stewardship. Testimony focused on patient safety, appropriate setting, and whether the bill should be narrowed or amended; no vote on SB 1178 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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• and that they have the cash flow and that<00:43:08.319><c> they're</c><00:43:08.560><c> legitimately<
• has enough cash flow and the<00:47:32.560><c> asset</c><00:47:32.880><c> itself.
• business's cash flow, their ability<00:48:22.000><c> to</c><00:48:22.240><c> repay.

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