Transcript Highlights:

• They're not doing that work.
• It's a requirement to consult or work with the sealers. Senator, I've seen your work.
• They have been doing the work up to now, and there are lots of lessons to be learned from the work that
• It's looking at what has worked and what has not worked, which counties are being missed, which counties
• I worked with SEIU in organizing these security officers, and I have seen their work firsthand.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales. Senator Blakespear and supporters, including Orange and Humboldt County supervisors and public safety, medical, waste, and local government groups, argued the bill would curb youth misuse, impaired driving, and hazardous waste by prohibiting retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than eight grams while preserving legitimate uses. There was no lead opposition testimony, though members raised questions about enforcement and existing regulatory agencies. The committee ultimately moved the bill on a due pass basis to Senate Appropriations, with broad support and no recorded opposition at the time of the vote. Members also heard SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries and SB 1340 on small business contracting transparency. SB 1312 would use the existing cemetery workgroup process to develop recommendations for addressing abandoned cemeteries, with the author and the Cemetery and Mortuary Association describing vandalism, theft, and inadequate endowment funds as ongoing problems. SB 1340 would require state agencies to report more detailed small business contracting information, including actual payments, to the Office of the Small Business Advocate; the Controller’s office supported the measure as a way to improve accountability and help small businesses compete for state work. Both bills were moved forward on due pass motions to Senate Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 903 on artificial intelligence in mental health care, SB 1271 on midwifery preceptor data, and SB 1327 on EV charger accuracy oversight. SB 903 drew strong support from mental health and professional groups that said AI should not replace licensed clinicians, while medical and technology groups opposed it unless amended, warning the definitions were too broad and could hinder beneficial tools and research; the author said the bill was meant to keep a human clinician in the loop and allow administrative uses with consent. SB 1271 was supported by midwives and birth workers who said California needs better data on preceptor capacity to expand training and address maternity care deserts; it advanced to Senate Health. SB 1327 would shift EV charger accuracy oversight from CDFA’s weights and measures division to the California Energy Commission; supporters said this would modernize and standardize enforcement, while county sealers and others opposed the shift as unnecessary, costly, and potentially weakening consumer protections. SB 1327 passed on a divided vote to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications. Several bills were held on call after votes, and the committee established quorum before taking formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• hard to work with other states, work with USDA, and do as much as we can to be prepared and kind of
• But that just shows that fire does work. This... This is where we're working now.
• Go to help and get some work.
• The same type of science that works for water quality can work, and if we show our work and show we did
• So it's working really well.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady began to work for dive guys um Brady began to work for dive guys um doing<00:01:07.760><c> uh</
• </c><00:01:20.320><c> with</c> uh in the first week of his work with uh in the first week of his work
• </c> working on what that change might be. working on what that change might be.
• </c> require those who are doing this work require those who are doing this work and<00:02:28.319><c>
• This work is going to continue.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:21.600><c> for</c> employee may subsequently work for employee may subsequently work for should
• </c> terms of your caucus obviously working terms of your caucus obviously working with<00:24:06.320>
• I do think that's something we have been working on trying to figure out what definitions would work
• I do think that's something we have been working on trying to figure out what definitions would work
• </c> have worked hard to get to this point. have worked hard to get to this point.

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked hard.
• And so I appreciate your work on this bill. I appreciate your work on this bill.
• When I've worked with some of the most low-income individuals, I worked with Union Bank on a grant called
• Unfortunately, that is not working.
• I know that Habitat for Humanity was on the ground doing a lot of work and continues to do a lot of work

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We're here to work with you in the future. We're here to work with you in the future. Thank you.
• not have likely returned to work again.
• That work must continue.
• Thank you for your work. Thank you.
• He described working with a young mother who had a spinal cord injury when he first started working with

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the committee's work to refine the language, appreciate the author's work to make this
• We appreciate the committee's work to refine the language, appreciate the author's work to make this
• We need this conservation program to work and make it work.
• So there's a recognition this needs work. I'm working on right now.
• So there's a recognition this needs work. I'm working on right now.

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, and land-use bills. AB 2218 by Assembly Member Calóra would establish a state policy directing agencies to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting tribes; tribal supporters said it is a needed step toward restoring a voice at the table, while water agencies and local government groups opposed it as vague and potentially harmful to water supply reliability. The bill was amended in committee and moved forward on a vote, though it was left on call. AB 2032 by Assembly Member Ransom, the Golden Mussel Response Act, would speed agency response to the invasive golden mussel by streamlining permits and research; it drew broad support and no opposition, and passed the committee unanimously to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 1712 by Assembly Member Pacheco would let Santa Fe Springs sell its small, contaminated water system through a protest process instead of a municipal election; supporters said it would avoid major rate hikes and improve reliability, and it was moved to Appropriations, though the vote was left on call. The committee also considered AB 1722 by Assembly Member Hadwick, which would create a clearer self-defense exception under the California Endangered Species Act for people facing dangerous predators. The author and a sheriff described a fatal mountain lion attack and argued rural residents need certainty; Defenders of Wildlife withdrew opposition after committee amendments, and the bill advanced to Judiciary on a vote that was left on call. AB 1613 by Assembly Member Wilson would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship certification course before operating OHVs on public lands starting in 2029. Supporters said it would reduce accidents and educate new riders, while Vice Chair Gonzalez raised concerns about fees, penalties, tourism, and impacts on low-income residents in his district; the bill passed on a split vote and was left on call. Later, AB 1808 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand local permitting authority for Western Joshua tree projects and reduce or waive some fees for homeowners and public works. Supporters framed it as a way to balance conservation with housing and infrastructure needs, while environmental groups opposed changes they said would weaken avoidance and mitigation protections; the bill passed to Natural Resources and was left on call. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Rubio would address imported water deliveries and groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel restrictions, with supporters arguing for a statewide, science-based approach that preserves water reliability; it advanced to Appropriations with no opposition. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance competing interests, especially around water reliability, tribal equity, public safety, and environmental protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so being a part of this work is very important to me and the work of the lasting or center.
• And we do this work into big buckets.
• What's working best.
• Why is it working? How could we make it work better?
• I think all of them can work and do work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're still working on the... I think we're still working on the fine structure.
• Well, this is a great bill and appreciate the author's work.
• Our staff, to our place of work.
• We work for the public.
• And I think anybody in their place of work has a right to not have people interfere with doing the work

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did this kind of program work?
• And keep working there.
• This work also aligns with the work of the Yazi and Martinez plan.
• This is because the world that we work in is around human work; we know it is part of a system that is
• Chair, I'm wondering, in working with coaching across leadership and across teachers, are you also working

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very proud of my work.
• I'm very proud of my work.
• And so really appreciate your work.
• And so really appreciate your work.
• And I think that tends to work, and it works quite well.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, they've worked with Republican leaders, Democratic leaders, and more and more the work always
• c><00:18:48.240><c> leaders,</c> they've worked with Republican leaders, they've worked with Republican
• Um we did all that work. education bill. Um we did all that work.
• </c> away from the work. away from the work.
• </c><00:21:32.920><c> Um</c> filling the time with our work. Um filling the time with our work.

Summary: A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge. The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• reinvest funds toward this critical work.
• And that's by doing the compliance work properly.
• I've worked in labor compliance and enforcement across public works projects throughout California for
• We want it to work.
• We want it to work. My members benefit from it.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's good that we have volunteers that work on these programs.
• And it's good that we have volunteers that work to work on these programs.
• So keep up the great work, and I sincerely mean that.
• So keep up the great work, and I sincerely mean that.
• through their core work now.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've needed to get to work, um, as we've been talking about it.
• I know the state party's work is very important, what we're doing, what they are doing, but the work
• Um, but we'll be able to get our work done.
• done on time that to get our work done on time that committee<00:04:42.039><c> work</c><00:04:42.240
• work work done<00:04:51.720><c> you</c><00:04:51.840><c> think</c><00:04:52.000><c> it's</c><00:04:52.199

Transcript Highlights:

• If you've never worked with Dr.
• schools and the work that they do.
• In this bucket of work, the work that our state regional literacy directors are doing is much deeper.
• And they're able to share things that are working, things that are not working.
• And they're able to share things that are working, things that are not working.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• DFLers are working on lowering costs, continuing the work that we did last year on child care, health
• We're hoping that the GOP will work with us on clean water protections, like including working towards
• </c> Greater Minnesota and continue working Greater Minnesota and continue working to<00:04:36.160><c
• </c> of our work this session we need to work of our work this session we need to work together<00:05
• We are working at our job.

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you again for work.
• We worked with the coalition working on the building codes, and they worked regularly with the CBIA.
• We worked with, the coalition working on the building codes, worked regularly with the CBIA.
• And so, I trust your work. I trust the work of Mayor Gloria.
• I appreciate your work on this.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we're back and ready to work on our executive session.
• I appreciate Ranking Member Schmidt's work on this piece.
• That's good for working families, and I think we can all agree.
• So we appreciate all your hard work on that and everybody that was on the work group, because this is
• for your excellent bipartisan collaborative work on this bill.

Summary: The committee held executive session on eight bills and heard staff briefings on each measure and any proposed substitutes or amendments. The bills covered domestic worker labor protections (HB 2355), a PTSD treatment pilot in workers’ compensation (HB 2405), electronic notices from L&I (HB 2406), private-sector collective bargaining (HB 2471), fire sprinkler contractor licensing and fitter certification (HB 2472), wage complaint enforcement discretion (HB 2478), a wage recovery program and account (HB 2479), and behavioral health and wellness training for apprentices (HB 2492). Several amendments were described as stakeholder-driven or clarifying, including changes to babysitting exemptions and disclosure language in HB 2355, opt-in language for the PTSD pilot in HB 2405, restoration of some current-law notice provisions in HB 2406, and technical or policy-aligning changes in the wage and apprenticeship bills. During final action, the committee adopted the proposed substitute for HB 2355 and reported it out with a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote, with opponents citing the fiscal note and affordability concerns. HB 2405 was amended to make participation in the PTSD pilot voluntary for workers and self-insurers, then passed unanimously out of committee. HB 2406 also passed unanimously after an amendment preserving certain current-law notice provisions. HB 2471, the collective bargaining bill, was reported out on a 6-3 vote after debate over whether the bill was premature given the current status of the NLRB. The committee then adopted a stakeholder amendment to HB 2472 and passed it unanimously, followed by unanimous passage of amended HB 2478, which gives L&I discretion in wage complaint enforcement and requires public prioritization of complaints. HB 2479, creating a wage recovery program and account, was also amended and passed unanimously, with members emphasizing bipartisan support and the goal of helping workers recover unpaid wages faster. Finally, HB 2492 was amended to allow certain behavioral health training to count toward continuing education for licensed electricians and plumbers, and it passed unanimously before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have worked with Chair Andrade before, and he's a very fair person, and I look forward to working with
• We work very hard.
• He's never working.
• You know, maybe it is working.
• Some heavy work.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.