Transcript Highlights:

• I ran this bill last year, but had the legislature included in it, and you can only imagine how that
• I ran this bill last year, but had the legislature included in it, and you can only imagine how that
• So here it is just without the legislature in it. Excellent. Representative Erickson.
• When you just go to the Idaho Legislature website and you go to budget information, there is a budget
• When you just go to the Idaho, when you just go to the Idaho legislature, our website, and you go to

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Because these will go to the legislature as our joint recommendation.
• However, the level of benefit that the tax preference should provide is something that the legislature
• should determine, and in determining... ...is something that the legislature should determine, and in
• What the intent of the comment is, is that the legislature ordered a report, so we want them to read
• And applying that reporting requirement to the public utility tax exemption would get the legislature

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025, approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes, and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule. The commission informally settled on four 2026 meeting dates: May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, with no vote required. One commissioner noted a possible travel conflict for the August meeting, but the schedule was accepted as planned. The bulk of the meeting focused on adopting commissioner comments and recommendations for tax preference reviews. Commissioners discussed and refined language on several items, including liquefied natural gas preferences, natural gas for transportation, energy sales to silicon smelters, nonprofit low-income housing development, veterans’ housing adaptations, and other preferences. Commissioner Forsyth recused himself from the natural gas for transportation and silicon smelter items, and the commission handled those separately. Staff clarified several technical questions about reporting requirements, the rationale for recommendations, and how to reconcile differing comments. The commission ultimately adopted the recommendations in multiple grouped votes, with unanimous approval on each vote. The commission also addressed a yellow-item recommendation related to reporting burden and another item concerning whether a preference is exempt from automatic expiration or subject to review. After discussion, the commission adopted revised consensus language for those items as well. No members of the public appeared to testify in person, and the chair reminded the public that written testimony could still be submitted by email or mail. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and commissioners, and the next meeting was set for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a report to the legislature on program efficacy.
• </c><00:04:18.400><c> on</c><00:04:18.560><c> program</c> the legislature on program the legislature
• and it requires SFA to report<00:04:43.440><c> to</c><00:04:43.520><c> the</c><00:04:43.680><c> legislature
• </c><00:04:44.160><c> before</c><00:04:44.400><c> the</c> report to the legislature before the report
• to the legislature before the sunset<00:04:44.960><c> date.

Summary: The joint House and Senate conference committee met on April 25 to consider several bills, mostly related to housing, transportation, school impact fees, and housing finance programs. HB 1294 HD2 SD1, relating to agricultural workforce housing, was deferred because final release was not yet available. HB 286 HD2 SD1, relating to the individual housing account program, was agreed to but also rolled over to a later 3:30 p.m. meeting pending final release. The committee then took up HB 1298 HD3 SD1, relating to housing, and HB 422 HD1 SD2, relating to school impact fees. HB 1298 was agreed to but postponed to later in the day pending final release. HB 422 was described as repealing the construction cost component of school impact fees, exempting government housing, affordable housing, and Hawaiian homeland housing from those fees, and requiring School Facilities Authority rules and a report to the legislature; the committee approved a CD1 with mostly technical amendments by unanimous vote, with one Senate member excused. Later, the committee reviewed additional measures including SB 662 on transportation, HB 1409 on transit-oriented development, SB 26 on affordable housing, HB 740 on housing, HB 432 on the rental housing revolving fund, SB 1229 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 944 on the low-income housing tax credit. Most of these bills had agreement on a CD1 or draft agreement but were deferred or rolled over to 3:30 p.m. in Room 16 because WAM, final, or web releases were still pending; HB 740 had no agreement yet, while HB 432 was said to need revisions. The meeting adjourned after scheduling the remaining items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature in Texas provides a vast amount of support. to its veterans in the state of Texas through
• So we just want to thank the legislature, especially this committee, members of this committee. for the
• Each program is in the Texas government code authorized by the legislature to serve our veterans.
• The legislature approved this in 2015. We have 24 health care advocates.
• Again, the legislature approved this in 2013.

Bills: SB651 , SB897 , SB1814 , SB1818

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to engage the Legislature.
• You've given notice to the Legislature to be able to take out a loan up to the 10% cap.
• We are requesting that the Legislature maintain funding for pediatric medical dental.
• Last year, the Legislature approved this funding for health workers.
• To that end, we did offer six questions for the Legislature to consider.

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, the legislature passed Act 199, mandating a budget summary disclosure that put on about one
• Maybe some in this room don't, but many in the legislature know me.
• </c><01:17:01.880><c> finds</c> beginning of it the legislature finds beginning of it the legislature
• </c> includes this well the legislature includes this well the legislature passed<01:21:42.360><c> a<
• </c><01:24:27.920><c> finally</c> that and when the legislature finally that and when the legislature

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Washington, session of the 69th Legislature.
• Session of the 69th Legislature. Message received.
• Session of the 69th Legislature. Session of the 69th Legislature.
• Speaker, I move that the legislature adjourn, sine die.
• Senator Fitzgibbon has moved that the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature do now adjourn, sine

Summary: The chambers exchanged final messages on House Concurrent Resolution 4409 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8410, with both resolutions reported as adopted and signed. The House also received notice that the Senate had adopted HCR 4409 and SCR 8410, and the Senate received notice that the House had adopted SCR 8410 and that the Speaker had signed HCR 4409. The House granted consent to suspend the rules so bills on the supplemental introduction sheet could be advanced to the third reading calendar. In the House, Representative Fitzgibbon moved adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8410, which he described as a housekeeping measure clarifying the status of bills that had not completed the legislative process. Representative Corey supported the resolution as cleanup work. The House adopted the resolution by voice vote and agreed to immediately transmit it to the Senate. The Senate later reverted to the fourth order of business to receive House messages, including the signing and transmission of HCR 4409, the House adoption of SCR 8410, and the signing of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998. The Senate then moved all measures on the floor calendar or held at the desk back to the Committee on Rules, approved the journal for the 60th day of the 2026 regular session, and adjourned the 69th Legislature sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• This week on Senate Spotlight, the 94th Legislature has come to an end, which begs the question: how
• The end of the 94th Legislature [music] The end of the 94th Legislature [music] signifies<00:01:03.680
• Um, we had a divided legislature. It's an election year.
• </c><00:02:06.360><c> It's</c><00:02:06.560><c> an</c> Um we had a divided legislature.
• It's an Um we had a divided legislature. It's an election<00:02:07.120><c> year.

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, it changes the date for the report to be submitted to the legislature from March to February 15th
• We spend $400 million on financial aid for our students, and yet we come every year at the legislature
• I think probably most of us on this committee and in the legislature have been hoping for this kind of
• the legislature have better things to do than to worry about this?
• The executive director did not bother to come to the meetings with the legislature?

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee heard several higher education and K-12 bills centered on TOPS, school accountability, and curriculum alignment. It first welcomed University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s new president, Ramesh Kuluru, who spoke about student success, workforce alignment, and the university’s financial recovery. The committee then adopted amendments and reported HR 17 favorably, directing a study of TOPS return on investment with the Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, LED, and the Blanco Public Policy Center. Testimony from business and policy groups supported the study as a way to assess whether state financial aid is producing workforce and retention outcomes. Members then considered HB 385 by Rep. Bamberg, which would require repayment of TOPS awards under certain circumstances when students lose eligibility, with exemptions for hardship and a pathway into LCTCS or career-technical programs. The bill drew strong debate over whether merit scholarships should ever be repaid; opponents argued TOPS is earned for the semester and should only be lost going forward, while supporters emphasized taxpayer accountability. After amendments, the committee narrowly approved the bill by roll call vote, with Chair Schlegel casting the deciding yes to report it favorably as amended. The committee also unanimously reported HB 1058 favorably, which requires the Board of Regents to maintain a uniform data system for state financial assistance; independent colleges and business groups supported the measure as a way to improve accountability and analysis. The committee next heard HB 406 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, which asks the Department of Education to study the feasibility of moving oversight of interscholastic athletics to a more accountable model after a legislative study found widespread complaints about the private LHSAA’s transparency and consistency. Supporters said the bill is a cautious step toward reform and a possible 2028–2029 transition, while an LHSAA representative defended current audits and governance and opposed the premise of the bill. Despite objections, the committee reported HB 406 favorably. It then heard HB 787 by Rep. McMakin, as substituted, which would exempt non-public high school students from the TOPS computer science requirement; BESE and the Department of Education opposed the bill, saying it would separate diploma and TOPS requirements and create scheduling confusion, while Catholic school representatives said the requirement conflicts with their theology curriculum. McMakin asked to defer the bill for two weeks. Finally, the committee unanimously reported HB 1059 favorably, which aligns TOPS math requirements with BESE’s integrated math pathways, and began hearing HB 1021 by Rep. Egan on repayment of certain TOPS awards, though the transcript cuts off before that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, the Legislature passed AB 1172, which required In 2024, the Legislature passed AB 1172, which
• Last year, the Legislature went a couple steps further, going on record in support of hosting a pilot
• And the Energy Commission is not going to apply them unless the Legislature tells them to do so.
• And that's why the Legislature needs to take a very careful look before moving forward. Thank you.
• We just want that report to be brought clearly before the Legislature.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications heard a long agenda of energy, water, housing, and technology bills. SB 952 (Laird, presented by Perez) would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility to meet the State Water Project’s 100% clean energy procurement goal by 2035 while managing costs; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. The committee also heard SB 1417, which would extend transparency, notice, and public meeting requirements to mutual water companies’ rate increases; Senator Perez and supporters tied the bill to post-Eaton Fire recovery in Altadena, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed it, citing conflicts with tenant billing laws, privacy concerns, and burdensome meeting requirements. SB 1417 was approved on a split vote and the roll was left open. Members then considered SB 924, a low-income utility assistance/weatherization bill by Hurtado, which would require measurable affordability outcomes and better tenant-focused benefits; it passed to Appropriations with broad support from clean energy and community groups and no opposition. SB 925 (McNerney) would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; supporters from General Atomics, Clean Air Task Force, and TAE Technologies argued it would help keep fusion investment in California, and it passed unanimously to Environmental Quality. SB 1011 (McNerney) would require CPUC standards for human review and labor consultation before utilities deploy AI in operations; labor and utility engineer witnesses supported guardrails, while business and utility groups opposed or sought more review, warning of overregulation and overlap with other laws. The bill passed to Privacy, Digital Technology and Consumer Protection on a divided vote. The committee also advanced SB 1168 (McNerney), a study bill directing the CPUC to examine how data centers can pay their fair share of grid costs; data center and utility groups were opposed or neutral pending amendments, while climate advocates supported it, and it moved to Revenue and Taxation. SB 1196 (McNerney) would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines and penalties; housing advocates supported it and it passed to Local Government. SB 1350 (McNerney) would allow renewable portfolio standard credits for power plants using green hydrogen, drawing strong support from hydrogen, labor, utility, and local government interests, but opposition from TURN over greenwashing and tracking concerns; it passed to Environmental Quality. Finally, SB 1158 (Stern) would expand quarterly reliability reporting by the CEC and CPUC to include transmission and grid upgrade status; it was presented as a common-sense reliability measure and moved forward with support.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislature has decided they debated all the risks associated and said, look, we're going to let
• They said, well, 22:1295 has a waiver clause, so the legislature meant to allow us to waive it.
• Well, I mean, we're the legislature. We set the laws, and we set these laws 10 years ago.
• I only found it last night, of what the legislature was trying to do.
• I disagree with part of that, but again, it was the intent of the legislature to do that.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that's a discussion the Legislature has been looking at in terms of 60 units for an associate
• We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the legislature on solutions that strengthen
• The Legislature has already established a clear framework through the Medical Practice Act.
• The legislature has already established a clear framework through the Medical Practice Act.
• When the Naturopathic Doctors Act... ...beyond what the legislature originally intended.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its mission, recent modernization or enforcement work, and requested continuation of its authority. Committee members focused on access to care, workforce impacts, fee structures, transparency, and whether proposed changes would improve public protection without creating unnecessary barriers. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate to a bachelor’s degree for entry-level licensure, fee cleanup changes, and ongoing work on the role of LVNs in respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree change would better align with national trends and could support future reimbursement and professional advancement, while public commenters and some legislators warned it could worsen shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Much of the public testimony centered on families and facilities relying on LVNs for trach and ventilator care in congregate living health facilities, with requests to preserve or expand exemptions. The board also discussed its reserve cap and efforts to modernize licensing and enforcement systems. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders argued the current voluntary certification/title-act model works, that complaints have not shown public harm, and that licensure would disrupt the workforce and create barriers for experienced designers. Committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, transparency, and whether the model provides enough accountability or consistent plan acceptance by local jurisdictions. Public testimony was split between supporters who said the current system is flexible and effective, and critics who said the private structure lacks accountability and creates confusion, especially for commercial work and plan check acceptance. The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster application times, new continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules. Members and stakeholders discussed a proposed audiology assistant license, which the board and the California Academy of Audiology supported as a way to improve access to care and reduce workload pressures. The Occupational Therapy Board described strong enforcement and licensing performance, a new strategic plan, and a request for additional fee authority to address rising costs and reserve concerns; public testimony largely supported the board and a proposed reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The Naturopathic Medicine Board emphasized consumer protection, unlicensed practice enforcement, and consumer confusion over titles, saying most of its enforcement workload involves unlicensed activity and that stronger title protection and clearer statutory authority are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there have been bills before this legislature addressing some of those issues.
• I know there have been bills before<00:04:48.800><c> this</c><00:04:49.040><c> legislature</c><00:04:
• legislature addressing some of<00:04:51.120><c> those</c><00:04:51.280><c> issues.
• 10 years ago when we passed legislature 10 years ago when we passed 661B. 661B. 661B.
• I don't know the bill legislature.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward. The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments. HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, through SB 158 and the 2025 Budget Act, the Legislature authorized the expedited release of
• The Legislature really has recognized that.
• It's up to the Legislature to decide, through enacting or subsequent enacting legislation, what that
• So the Legislature may want to ask itself: is there something missing?
• Something we heard from the Legislature over and over again was: where is this money going?

Transcript Highlights:

• As written now, it does limit the legislature from making any changes to those statutes for a period
• unless uh two-thirds of the legislature agrees.
• I mean, I know the last initiative that we had trying to when the legislature did put an alternative
• unless uh twothirds of the legislature unless uh twothirds of the legislature<00:10:15.120><c> agrees
• </c><00:10:41.279><c> did</c> had trying to when the legislature did had trying to when the legislature

Committee: Joint Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature granted the executive branch a bit more budgetary flexibility, used to appropriate to
• effort to continue to add agencies and programs to what we collect so that we can Give you, the legislature
• I don't believe there is anything specific that the legislature needs to do with these, but we would
• And I reported that in our brief to the legislature.
• What happens from there, I think is up to the legislature. Okay, all right. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I look forward to working with you to figure out how we can best support you as the Legislature
• But how do you coordinate with the Legislature?
• And I know that we have a concern here in the Legislature that, to fulfill that vision, we're going to
• So however that unfolds and whatever the Legislature and the governor's office role in that might be,
• We look forward to working in collaboration with the Legislature and the administration to ensure that

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Governor Newsom’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Secretary Tamika Moss and department leaders from Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, DFPI, and Alcoholic Beverage Control said the business-side reorganization would sharpen consumer protection and regulatory oversight without increasing licensee fees or office-space needs. Members generally supported the concept, but several raised concerns about the timing relative to the budget process, the May Revision, and whether the new structure would add costs or disrupt legal and regulatory work. Public commenters from industry groups largely supported the business-side proposal. The second half of the hearing examined the proposed Housing and Homelessness Agency and a new Housing Development and Finance Committee intended to streamline affordable housing funding. Moss, HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez, and CalHFA’s Rebecca Franklin argued the reorganization would reduce fragmentation, speed approvals, improve compliance and asset management, and better coordinate housing, homelessness, and civil rights functions. They said CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence would remain intact, that the proposal would not affect existing homelessness programs administered by HCD, and that the plan would be phased in over several years, with the new agencies and committee expected to become operational by July 2026. Members pressed on whether the plan would truly create a one-stop shop, how it would interact with tax credits and bonds outside the Governor’s control, whether it would include a single application and unified inspections, and how it would address Los Angeles homelessness oversight and federal uncertainties such as tariffs and Section 8 changes. Developer witnesses strongly backed the housing proposal, describing the current system as slow, opaque, and costly. Margaret Miller of the John Stewart Company and Jeffrey Morgan of CHISPA gave examples of projects delayed or lost because multiple funding sources required separate applications, awards, and closings; both said a cabinet-level housing secretary and a consolidated funding process could save time and money and produce more units. Public advocates including Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the concept but stressed that success would depend on implementation, adequate funding, transparency, and broader coordination with tax credit and bond programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the committees heard testimony and questions on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:01.600><c> has</c><00:18:01.919><c> the</c> were um you know the legislature has the were
• I think the legislature<00:18:12.080><c> does</c><00:18:12.320><c> have</c><00:18:12.480><c> that</c>
• <00:18:12.640><c> authority</c><00:18:13.200><c> and</c> legislature does have that authority and legislature
• has chosen in and and the legislature has chosen in this<00:18:16.640><c> case</c><00:18:16.880><c>
• </c><00:19:41.120><c> is</c> um he was saying that the legislature is um he was saying that the legislature

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2013, the Legislature created the property insurance clearinghouse that helps Citizens.
• And the Legislature could have done that on the back end, too.
• Obviously, that is what the Legislature has directed Citizens to do.
• Obviously, whatever the legislature decides to do, we are going to implement it.
• Whatever the legislature does and the governor signs into law, we're going to do it.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:24.560><c> to</c> approach or for this legislature to approach or for this legislature to
• ><c> parameters</c><01:36:31.840><c> for</c> legislature changed the parameters for legislature changed
• I recommendations to the legislature.
• . legislature. legislature.
• legislature legislature uh<03:39:57.600><c> legislator</c><03:39:58.239><c> writes</c><03:39:58.560>