Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, so for example, let's say someone files a ballot statement or ballot title worksheet, you know
• You know, a lot of people like to have a certain ballot title. It can be helpful politically.
• And sometimes you only have a few days to challenge, say, a ballot title, right?
• ...to challenge, say, a ballot title, right?
• excited to work collaboratively with you to ensure that the legislation is implemented and not duplicative

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• we are in the tens of millions of dollars at this point in federal grants, particularly things like Title
• III and Title V, Minority Serving Institution grants, Hispanic Serving Institution grants, and Asian
• These titles are a little abstruse, but you can sum them up by saying professional staff assist students
• These titles are a little abstruse, but you can sum them up by saying, professional staff assist students
• Specifically, we're hoping to align statewide FAFSA and WASFA completion efforts, prevent the duplication

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to avoid duplicity in bonding, which seems to be a prevalent issue, and make sure we put our
• The short title changed to Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Amendments.
• You know, it says according to title, maybe that tells us what the limits are. ...leaves the door open
• I don't know, you know, it says according to title, maybe that tells us what the limits are and stuff
• And it literally changes the title of the office to put emphasis on the beneficiaries.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• of thinking that I can share with you guys, to where, buying for schools, washer and dryer for our Title
• You know, so we mirrored and duplicated our research and evaluation team created this for me.
• McAuliffe, your title is Executive Director for Graduation, Assurance and Student Services.
• I talked about your title because I want to know how you fit into the org chart as a district.
• I talked about your title because I want to know how you fit into the org chart as a district.

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• the box of thinking that I can share with you guys, like buying schools washers and dryers for our Title
• You know, so we mirrored and duplicated our research and evaluation team created this for me.
• McAuliffe, your title is Executive Director for Graduation, Assurance and Student Services.
• I talked about your title because I want to know how you fit into the org chart as a district.
• I talked about your title because I want to know how you fit into the org chart as a district.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The committee met to discuss student attendance and chronic absenteeism in Florida K-12 schools, with Chair Simon outlining the state’s attendance requirements and intervention process, including school contact after unexcused absences, child study team review, district superintendent referral, DJJ family services referral, truancy petitions, and possible parental prosecution and driver’s license consequences. Dr. Chris Curran of the University of Florida presented statewide data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023–24, and noted that absenteeism varies by district, school level, demographics, and urbanicity. He emphasized that causes are multifaceted—ranging from transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family circumstances—and said effective responses include early warning systems, text or phone outreach, multi-tiered interventions, mentoring programs like Check & Connect, and community partnerships. He also cautioned that punitive responses alone are often less effective than addressing root causes and keeping students engaged academically even when they miss school. Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli described her district’s attendance efforts as a priority supported by attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, and extensive parent communication. She said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023–24 and attributed success to consistent monitoring, family outreach, and community support, while stressing that students must be physically present to learn. She also argued that many absences are tied to barriers such as clothing, transportation, childcare, or family mental health, and that districts need resources to address those issues. Dr. Rachel Dawes added that Collier uses multilingual brochures, attendance awareness campaigns, vacation-planning guidance, door tags, automated calls and letters, and a truancy flow chart, with truancy court used as a last resort. Volusia County Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a districtwide overhaul that included an attendance matters campaign, automated notices sent early and often, same-day and period-by-period notifications, a data dashboard, and tiered supports through MTSS. He said Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023–24 to a projected 29% and reported a first-quarter rate of about 20% in the current year. He highlighted community partnerships, including AdventHealth support for washers and dryers, bikes for students with transportation barriers, and monetary recognition for schools that reduce absenteeism. In response to questions, both district leaders emphasized that funding, staffing, and consistent follow-through are essential, and that attendance work is most effective when paired with family engagement, data monitoring, and practical supports rather than punishment alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, title searches, those kinds of things, which is, you know, the recording and filing pieces
• They run a search 1st. 1st they're checking for a duplicate registration to see if he's registered somewhere
• for at risk where you've pumped that up to over 400 million and we get about 110, 115 million for Title
• Like if Title I took a 10% clip, would you need to backfill that when school districts have $700 million
• I, I think, I just want to point out that the difference between like Title One, and those kinds of other

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid and maybe they've gone on to the exchange, if they're not doing data matching, that would be duplicate
• could be like a nutrition program like SNAP or school, school meals, could be a mandatory program, but Title
• It's like, you know, Title One's on the chopping block for 10%.
• It's like, well, that's $10 million you know, out of our $100 million Title One as an example.
• Um, Way before he was a legislator, and yeah, the, yeah, the one with my title on it is, is that what

Transcript Highlights:

• going to start with agenda item number one: Senate Bill 287 with Senate Amendment 2, an act to amend Title
• All right, so we're on agenda item number three, SB 326, an act to amend Title 26 of the Delaware Code
• This duplicates that oversight before SB 59 has even had a chance to be put into practice.

Bills: SB287

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and considered three Senate bills. SB 287 with Senate Amendment 2, a DNREC cleanup bill on recycling, would tighten recycling collection rules for haulers and commercial generators, require multifamily recycling education, repurpose the Delaware Recycling Fund, and add annual reporting; after brief questions and no public comment, the committee motion to release did not initially receive enough votes, so the bill was circulated for signatures. SB 346, which would speed Environmental Appeals Board hearing and decision timelines so DNREC secretary decisions become final if deadlines are missed, drew support from the Nature Conservancy and also failed to get enough votes at the meeting, so it too was circulated for signatures. The committee then took up SB 326, a major utility-regulation bill sponsored by Senator Hanson and Representative Heffernan that would cap certain non-mandatory utility spending, limit interim rates, increase oversight and transparency, and streamline rate-setting. SB 326 generated extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the Public Advocate, Sierra Club, PSC staff, and some legislators, argued that Delmarva Power’s spending on non-mandatory infrastructure has risen far faster than inflation, that the company is a regulated monopoly, and that the bill would help restrain future delivery-rate increases without harming reliability because mandatory reliability, storm response, and vegetation management spending would remain allowed. Opponents, including Delmarva Power, business groups, contractors, labor representatives, and the Delaware Contractors Association, argued the cap would delay needed reliability and capacity projects, hurt economic development, reduce jobs, and interfere with utility planning; they also said supply costs, not distribution spending, are the main driver of recent bill increases. After public comment and additional questioning, the committee voted to release SB 326 on a split roll call, but because several members were absent the bill was also walked for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• To amend Title 17, public school safety, to require exterior master key boxes be installed in public
• It allows the city to obtain title to property with just compensation and provides St.
• Members, I'd like for you to concur on these amendments to clarify some language and remove duplicative

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB66 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB145 , HB159 , HB167 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB316 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB511 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB799 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1095 , HB1126 , HB1129 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1230 , HB1235 , HB1249 , HB723 , HB36 , HB140 , HB181 , HB198 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB302 , HB335 , HB342 , HB487 , HB513 , HB623 , HB682 , HB730 , HB740 , HB761 , HB775 , HB797 , HB812 , HB816 , HB940 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1038 , HB1049 , HB1084 , HB1161 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1203 , HB1247 , HB1256 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB237 , SB250 , SB405 , SB406 , SB414 , SB433 , SB480 , SB513 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB134 , HB1117 , SB42 , SB274 , SB382 , SB449 , SB300 , HR74 , HB463 , HB715 , HB998 , SB80 , SB268 , SB444 , SB479 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received Senate messages, committee enrollment reports, and a series of House resolutions. Members adopted or advanced numerous resolutions recognizing individuals and institutions, expressing condolences, and creating or continuing study task forces on topics including homeownership assistance, speech-language pathology assistant licensure, clean water, Medicaid reporting, voter accessibility, air monitoring, fire chief operations, maternal health, and other issues. Several Senate resolutions were also concurred in, and personal privileges were used to recognize the family of Susan Ann Taylor Bidding and to commend Anita Whitaker LaFontaine and her father, Green Whitaker, Sr. The House then moved through Senate bills on final passage. Bills approved included measures on registrar of voters compensation, dental coverage related to cancer treatment, paid parental leave planning for educators, election supervisor compensation days, weight management services, nursing facility quality oversight, a Slidell hotel occupancy tax subject to voter approval, medical debt interest-rate limits, Medicaid coverage for weight-loss medications, a shrimping-related butterfly net exception, public works design-build contracting, and a municipal lead-service-line replacement measure. Some bills were temporarily returned to the calendar, including measures on water utility service lines and registrar compensation, while others passed with strong bipartisan margins. The chamber also considered Senate amendments to many House bills and concurrent resolutions. Members concurred in amendments on topics such as hospital stabilization, student loan access for certain professional degrees, rural economic development, behavioral health and school policies, retirement and compensation provisions, food labeling, climate-change litigation, school emergency plans, anti-cancer medication coverage, domestic abuse procedures, and several infrastructure and workforce measures. A few bills were rejected for further conference, including some retirement, alternative power, and AI-related provisions. The session ended with the House taking a one-hour recess for lunch, with instructions to return by 12:45.

Transcript Highlights:

• To amend Title 17, public school safety, to require exterior master key boxes be installed in public
• George to obtain title to property with just compensation and provides St.
• Members, I'd like for you to concur on these amendments to clarify some language and remove duplicative

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB66 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB145 , HB159 , HB167 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB316 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB511 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB799 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1095 , HB1126 , HB1129 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1230 , HB1235 , HB1249 , HB723 , HB36 , HB140 , HB181 , HB198 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB302 , HB335 , HB342 , HB487 , HB513 , HB623 , HB682 , HB730 , HB740 , HB761 , HB775 , HB797 , HB812 , HB816 , HB940 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1038 , HB1049 , HB1084 , HB1161 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1203 , HB1247 , HB1256 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB237 , SB250 , SB405 , SB406 , SB414 , SB433 , SB480 , SB513 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB134 , HB1117 , SB42 , SB274 , SB382 , SB449 , SB300 , HR74 , HB463 , HB715 , HB998 , SB80 , SB268 , SB444 , SB479 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• His new job title is deputy administrator for farm programs with USDA in the nation's capital.
• The motor vehicle division administers programs leading to titling and registration of vehicles, including
• So that is actually a duplicate.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• His new job title is deputy administrator for farm programs with USDA in the nation's capital.
• The motor vehicle division administers programs leading to titling and registration of vehicles, including
• So that is actually a duplicate.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hernandez, there is some duplicate, some redundancies here, some things that we’re already
• Chair, Recorder Lewis, so under federal law in Title 16, Mr.
• Chair, Recorder Lewis, under federal law and Title 16, for voter roll cleanup purposes, there are different

Bills: HB2775 , HB2874 , HB2940 , HB4014 , HB4067 , HB4115 , HCM2010 , HCR2051

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: international organizations, government resources, public institutions, Arizona Board of Regents, foreign adversaries, campaign finance, contributions, termination statements, reporting, penalties, electoral processes, healthcare, public benefits, eligibility verification, fraud prevention, Medicaid, SNAP, transparency, accountability, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Alvarez: See that you filled out the duplicate form.
• It's a Title Amendment.
• So that's part of the title change, sir. Chair Alvarez: All right. Thank you, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I helped return salmon back to the Yakima Basin, and my official title was fish passage biologist
• And my official title was Fish Passage Biologist at Cle Elum.
• Passage of this bill, I think, would duplicate that flaw by barring the utilities from responding to

Bills: SB5821 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I helped return salmon back to the Yakima Basin, and my official title was fish passage biologist
• And my official title was fish passage biologist at Cle Elum.
• Passage of this bill, I think, would duplicate that flaw by barring the utilities from responding to

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• By uniting local governments, public and private utilities, we reduce duplication of effort and lower
• In the Texas Monthly Magazine article from August 2024 titled, "Fix the Leaky Pipes," it states, "Enough
• There's an article that I wrote that was published in the Gonzales Inquirer, titled "Groundwater District

Bills: HB29 , HB685 , HB1633 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB1918 , HB2010 , HB2500 , HB2608 , HB2626 , HB29

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• American Legion developed this and got it passed through Congress, there was a code, it's law number 829, Title
• a serious issue to you, Senator, and so forth, but again, I just—I'm sometimes perplexed by our duplicity
• At the end of our plenary, I support the motion, but you should also look at the title—something we always

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the analysis spoke about some duplicative inspections.
• The analysis spoke about some duplicative inspections, if you could share a little bit more on your,
• the California Hospital Association about the fact that unintentional cause for this could be a duplicate
• And also, which we feel is critical to ensuring patient safety while avoiding duplication, inconsistent
• C-PEN released a report in February of this year titled *Paying the Price*, which outlined the highest

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• They just respected him because he paid the same respect to them, regardless of their title or their
• Because he paid the same respect to them, regardless of their title or their image or their past.
• Last year, an investigation by CalMatters, reporters Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler, was aptly titled
• While we appreciate the author's motivation in introducing this bill, this proposal imposes a duplicative
• This proposal imposes a duplicative administrative penalty that does not address the root cause of unsafe

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard a long agenda of bills, with several authors presenting measures focused on probation, prison conditions, public safety, diversion, and infrastructure theft. Early in the hearing, AB 1816 by Assembly Member Davies proposed allowing courts to extend probation for up to one additional year for people convicted of registrable sex offenses who have not completed required treatment. Supporters, including the Chief Probation Officers of California, argued the bill would improve rehabilitation and public safety by allowing treatment to be completed; opponents, including public defenders and civil liberties groups, said existing revocation tools already address noncompliance and warned the bill was vague and would prolong supervision. The bill was later moved on call with an aye recommendation. The committee also heard AB 2593, which would prohibit non-medical staff from interfering with prescribed care for incarcerated patients; it drew broad support from medical, disability, public defender, and justice reform groups and passed to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including AB 1927 and AB 2502, was adopted without controversy. The committee then considered AB 1538 by Assembly Member Krell, which would bar elected or appointed officials from using political power for retaliation. Support came from a student activist and the California News Publishers Association, with additional support from education, law enforcement, and civil liberties groups; no opposition testimony was offered, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2584 by Assembly Member Flora, as amended, would narrow civil liability for lawful defensive force; supporters framed it as protecting self-defense, while one opposition witness objected on behalf of labor and justice groups. The chair noted concerns about eliminating civil liability but still recommended aye, and the bill passed to Judiciary. AB 2217 by Assembly Member Zbur would rename and expand the LEAD diversion program as “Alternatives to Arrest,” broaden eligible offenses, and continue grant funding for local diversion efforts. Supporters emphasized reduced recidivism and service connections, and the bill was moved on call to Appropriations. Later, the committee took up AB 1941 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez, which would create an organized metal theft offense and a statewide data-sharing system to address copper theft and damage to public infrastructure. Supporters from utilities, cities, transit, telecom, and law enforcement described widespread outages, costly repairs, and public safety risks; opponents argued the bill would deepen criminalization and racial disparities and that non-carceral solutions were preferable. The author and supporters responded that the bill was needed to address repeated thefts that leave communities without lights, power, or 911 service, and the measure passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2499 by Assembly Member Gibson sought stronger protections for incarcerated people and workers from extreme heat and inadequate ventilation in state prisons. The bill was backed by incarcerated workers, family members of a woman who died from heat-related causes, and a wide coalition of public defender, civil rights, and prisoner advocacy groups. Members spoke emotionally about prison conditions and the need for humane treatment, and the bill passed to Labor and Employment with strong support.