Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation.
• These shade structures are pretty much proven to protect us.
• She was just confirmed in rules. This is a quote.
• I was just watching the Senate Rules Committee.
• I was just watching the Senate Rules Committee.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, New Mexico has no state rules requiring these gun stores to secure their inventory, track
• And so we pass rulings, and it's ruling 2016-1. So, Mr.
• Under an ATF ruling, 2016-1, they are required to back up electronic records.
• portal is a structure.
• And they got the difference of opinion, again, all over the definition of the word structure.

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 35, which would create one additional judgeship in the First Judicial District. Senator Trujillo and Chief Judge Bichai explained that the position had been approved through the judiciary’s unified budget process based on caseload and weighted-caseload needs. Members asked about how the new judge would be appointed, election timing, and courthouse space; the judge said the district would make room temporarily and that technology had helped with courtroom efficiency. One member of the public testified in opposition, alleging questionable case-assignment practices in the district court. The committee then voted do pass on SB 35 to the Finance Committee without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act, with extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters, including the sponsors, gun-violence survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, city representatives, educators, and advocacy groups, argued that the bill would address a retail-to-criminal pipeline by requiring gun dealers to secure inventory, train employees, track sales, report suspicious activity, and restrict future sales of certain military-style firearms and large-capacity magazines. They cited gun violence statistics, local homicides, and the impact on children and schools. Opponents, including NRA and industry representatives, sheriffs, ranchers, dealers, and other citizens, argued the bill would violate the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, create a de facto registry, impose costly burdens on lawful businesses, and fail to stop criminals. Several opponents also raised concerns about litigation costs and the effect on rural gun owners. Committee members then questioned the sponsors and debated the bill’s definitions, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and dealer requirements. Senator Duhigg offered and the committee adopted several amendments, including removing narrow loss-language tied to fire/theft/flood, changing backup timing language back to the federal standard, and revising the confidentiality/IPRA language to protect names and personal identifying information of transferees. The sponsors said the bill was intended to align with or build on federal standards in some areas while adding state-level dealer oversight. The chair allowed extended amendment discussion and indicated the committee would continue working through the substitute bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order for us to complete our agenda and allow everyone equal time, the rules for witness testimony
• proceed with witness and public comment, I want to make sure everyone understands the committee has rules
• order to facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, the rules
• To be clear, SB 1238 does not change the existing structure.
• as ESOP structures are rare among emerging LGBT-, minority-, and women-owned businesses.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• governed by the legislative authority of the jurisdiction proposing to create it, or by a governance structure
• There are rules that have been issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
• WSDOT is required to adopt rules, including design standards for pedestrian reroutes and detours in these
• the operation of an electric motorcycle should be subject to a minimum age requirement; appropriate rules
• We are hopeful that the work group will be able to recommend rules and provide a plan for education of

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact. The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have a problem with the way you structured this at all.
• So I'm not saying, I'm not ruling it out. It certainly could happen.
• I'm just saying that that would probably be the exception, not the rule.
• So I'm not saying, I'm not ruling it out. It certainly could happen.
• That would probably be the exception, not the rule.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2896, sponsored by Rep. Brown, which would change how boards of governors for state universities are selected. Brown said the bill, developed with input from the governor’s office, would simplify appointment rules by removing service-area and congressional-district requirements and instead limiting board membership so no more than half of the voting members come from the county where the institution is located, with a St. Louis exception. Members asked about Missouri residency requirements, the effect on Missouri State University and Southeast Missouri State University, and whether university presidents would recommend candidates to the governor. Brown said he would follow up on questions and was open to discussing possible adjustments, especially regarding geographic representation. One witness spoke in favor, arguing that boards should reflect a cross-section of the state. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2896 was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 1659, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeyer. The bill would create a grant program to help Missouri manufacturers convert facilities to produce strategic materials tied to national defense and energy resilience. Steinmeyer described it as a private-capital-first program requiring at least $500,000 in private investment, with grants capped at $1 million per project per year, subject to appropriation, annual reporting, and repayment provisions if projects fail. He said the bill is intended to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen supply chains while keeping taxpayer risk limited. Members raised concerns about environmental and public safety risks, the bill’s placement in the higher education committee, whether it should instead be funded federally, and whether the program would mainly benefit large companies rather than small businesses. Questions also focused on the bill’s workforce-development component, the lack of detail on training and public-health protections, and the budget impact of creating a dedicated fund that would retain money and interest rather than sweep it to general revenue. Steinmeyer said the bill is meant to support existing Missouri companies or companies establishing headquarters in Missouri, and that universities had been involved in discussions about workforce needs. A representative from the API Innovation Center testified in favor, saying the bill could help develop key starting materials for pharmaceuticals and support reshoring. One witness testified in opposition, arguing the state should not subsidize private industry and warning about fiscal strain and environmental oversight. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• does just apply to prospective service, but that's not to say that, you know, this bill has to be structured
• does just apply to prospective service, but that's not to say that, you know, this bill has to be structured
• We've structured this agenda item to first allow the committee to provide or to discuss any of the items
• I don't think we've discussed the structure of that.
• But I don't believe that's allowed under IRS rules. Okay.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• are intended to improve the relationship between the developers and the communities by having clear rules
• Between the developers and the communities, by having clear rules that can be followed.
• House Bill 1960, as Representative Ramel shared, because of the current property tax structure for clean
• My county in particular has been deeply affected by the current personal property structure and the tax
• However, changing the tax structure is inherently risky.

Summary: House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding. Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:59.039><c> primarily</c> be the new medical rules primarily be the new medical rules primarily
• Uh, just for example, if you look at the cannabis medical rules on page 64.9 to 64.17 of the draft rules
• Uh, just for example, if you look at the cannabis medical rules on page 64.9 to 64.17 of the draft rules
• /c><00:47:36.480><c> be</c> the draft rules that hopefully will be the draft rules that hopefully will
• </c> rules and licenses that are already set. rules and licenses that are already set.

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• They hurt local businesses who play by the rules.
• racism and structural sexism.
• They hurt local businesses who play by the rules.
• racism and structural sexism.
• S. 1372, an act relative to the structure of the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak. The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and I think that we also talked about, you know, I know when I presented this being a rule bill
• Representative Weber was recognized to inquire and asked a very quick question. known rules.
• That structure has consequences.
• So do you have examples where the PSC is overruled, local planning and zoning rules?
• What are the rules? I called all these other agencies and found out there’s little to no oversight.

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, which would combine the bills and add a clawback/refund provision for construction work in progress in base rates if costs were imprudently incurred or a project is not placed in service in a reasonable time. Supporters argued Missouri should remove its CWIP ban to stay competitive with neighboring states and attract utility investment, while opponents warned about unknown costs and timelines for ratepayers. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the combined bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2711, as amended by a substitute, dealing with broadband-related property tax treatment. The sponsor explained the substitute narrowed the bill to new installations, added a seven-year sunset, and aimed to clarify assessment issues. Supporters said the measure would help expand broadband infrastructure and improve service in underserved areas, while opponents argued the tax break should not apply to upgrades within existing service territories and questioned whether the bill truly expanded access. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2762, a broad solar/wind/water measure. The sponsor described provisions setting a $2,500 per megawatt tax on solar nameplate capacity, creating more uniform assessment rules, establishing setbacks for solar facilities, limiting eminent domain use, and including smaller sections on water district dissolution and wind turbine lighting. Testimony was mixed: solar developers, Clean Grid Alliance, Renew Missouri, and Missouri Farm Bureau supported clearer rules, grandfathering, and setbacks they viewed as reasonable, while landowners and local residents raised concerns about property rights, transparency, runoff, glare, noise, and the impact of large solar projects on neighboring farms and homes. No final action on HB 2762 was taken in the portion provided, but the chair said a committee substitute would be developed to address the solar issues more comprehensively.

Transcript Highlights:

• The prompt rules promulgation may require some tweaks that the ISC needs to do as well, because it's
• a different funding mechanism compared to their existing rules.
• The ISC program and their rules have a guideline that SECIS should have their bylaws approved within
• And now that the rules have been in place, we've just been sort of in a holding pattern.
• Is there possibly a decrease in some revenue because of the different past structures?

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That's Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. 75% of the 75% of the public oppose that ruling.
• ... ...in return for operating within the rules the state sets.
• tax advantages that no... ...and structural tax advantages that no person can access.
• The Big Five ruled Hawaii for 50 years before the people ultimately rose up, ran for office, and took
• One, the rules. But two, skinny jeans looks pretty good.

Bills: HB1800 , HB1860 , HB2250 , HB472 , HB649 , HB1391 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1515 , HB1518 , HB1541 , HB1548 , HB1576 , HB1618 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1661 , HB1667 , HB1678 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1839 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1881 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1891 , HB1894 , HB1920 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2023 , HB2050 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2104 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2158 , HB2171 , HB2207 , HB2218 , HB2246 , HB2270 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2279 , HB2282 , HB2289 , HB2293 , HB2297 , HB2300 , HB2309 , HB2310 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2329 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2344 , HB2361 , HB2385 , HB2395 , HB2417 , HB2429 , HB2443 , HB2452 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2498 , HB2505 , HB2547 , HB2576

Transcript Highlights:

• There's rules on the boot being removed and what the charges would be.
• Ninety-five percent of the people, you know, don't break the rules.
• There's also misdemeanor penalties for violations of these rules. Thank you.
• There's also misdemeanor penalties for violations of these rules.
• There are structures that they all use, some of which I believe is proprietary.

Bills: SB1010 , SB1024 , SB1205 , SB1232 , SB1366 , SB1552 , SB1624 , SCM1002 , SCM1006 , SCR1004

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Tarr: exemption from taxation for structures and buildings essential to the operation of agricultural
• Oh, and you're helping me follow the rules. Thank you, Mr. President.
• and making sure that we observe Joint Rule 10.
• Question comes on suspension of the rules. Senator Feeney has moved.
• The rules are suspended. Question comes on adoption of the order.

Summary: The Senate resumed consideration of An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and took up a series of amendments focused on farm taxation, land preservation, permitting, renewable energy, marketing, and labor standards. Amendment 5, offered by Senator Tarr, would allow local option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years; it was supported by Senator Comerford and adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Amendment 20, offered by Senator Mark, created a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to improve marketing and promotion of agricultural goods, and it was also adopted. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but rejected, including proposals on APR criteria, a one-stop permitting and grants portal, foreign ownership tracking in the farmland registry, horse-riding instruction licensure, higher solar/agrovoltaics caps on farmland, farm stand waiver flexibility, notice before conversion of registered farmland, and a health and wellness amendment. A major point of debate was Amendment 41, offered by Senator Gomez, which sought to extend wage and hour protections to agricultural laborers, including raising the subminimum wage, adding overtime, paid breaks, and paid time off. Senator Gomez described the measure as a correction to racist historical exclusions, and Senator Eldridge and Senator Comerford spoke in support of stronger worker protections and continued negotiations. The sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment, saying talks with stakeholders and Senate leadership would continue. The chamber also heard a brief recognition for youth mentoring guests and later adopted a study amendment from Senator Fattman directing an assessment of the need for a Central Massachusetts agricultural school; that amendment passed 37-0. After the agricultural bill was amended by the Senate Ways and Means amendment and ordered to a third reading, the Senate passed the bill, An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts (S. 3029), to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then adopted several committee extension orders, including extensions for the Revenue Committee and the Financial Services Committee, with some discussion about the number and scope of bills covered. The chamber also passed a local bill designating the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville Veterans Memorial Overpass in Sandwich and another local alcohol licensing bill for Topsfield. The session ended with recognitions for community and youth groups, a motion to adjourn in memory of Mark K. Harris, and adjournment to the following day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bills 785 and 796 to Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• House Bill 570 as amended to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• House Bill 692 is amended to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1345 by Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• If a city or county already allows more hens, those rules continue to apply.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paragraph A repeals rules relating to seed potatoes.
• Paragraph A repeals rules bills.
• Paragraph A repeals rules relating<00:39:36.960><c> to</c><00:39:37.119><c> seed</c><00:39:37.440><c>
• </c><01:06:43.039><c> uh</c> um in terms of providing a structure uh um in terms of providing a structure
• Of the rules.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Well-intended programs that end up layered on top of each other, each with their own timelines, rules
• And so I think if we can all sort of sit together and talk through what a structure might look like,
• And so in this way, we think that the reporting structure can be amended for the grants.
• But we'll start with the reporting structure. And reduce lunch numbers.
• I think it may take a requirement... ...structure figured out and done.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on coherence in California’s education planning and reporting systems, especially the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and related grant plans. Committee chairs and members described widespread frustration with duplicative, lengthy, and sometimes conflicting reporting requirements, while emphasizing that the goal was not to reduce accountability but to make planning more useful, stable, and student-centered. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also previewed the Governor’s education budget priorities, including expanded learning, community schools, universal transitional kindergarten, literacy supports, and concerns about the proposed Prop. 98 deferral. Panelists from the State Board of Education, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LCAP was intended to balance local flexibility with statewide transparency, but has become overloaded by repeated revisions and additional requirements. They argued for fewer core reporting elements, more stability over time, better alignment of planning cycles, and integrated systems that reduce duplication. Fresno County staff described a multi-year calendar and support tools that help districts manage timelines, but said these tools only ease the burden rather than solve the underlying problem. The LAO noted that some newer plans, such as expanded learning and transportation plans, are narrative-heavy and often less informative than separate reporting requirements. Local district leaders and county officials described the practical effects of the current system: staff time diverted from instruction, multiple portals and forms, audit risk aversion, and planning documents that can exceed 100 pages. Several superintendents said coherent systems work best when districts have clear priorities, stable governance, and aligned budgets, and when state requirements are predictable and tied to outcomes like literacy, attendance, and student achievement. The California Federation of Teachers added that coherence also depends on meaningful collaboration with educators, classified staff, parents, and communities. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the state should streamline reporting, create a uniform portal, or develop a more unified grant-reporting structure, and Thurmond said the department was piloting a simplified common form and was willing to work with the Legislature and districts on broader solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving from 2020 to where we are, we were structurally deficient.
• When we looked at 2022, we were structurally in a deficit.
• And I think that what we see today with all the results that we have shown you is we are structurally
• What we see today with all the results that we have shown you is we are structurally long.
• We also have what we call the Rule 30 application in the Pacific Gas and Electric territory.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules Chair Passidomo, you're recognized?
• Madam Rules Chair: For a motion. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Sorry, Mr. President.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Sorry, Mr. President.
• Seeing none, Madam Rules Chair, you're recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not doing anything with the fee structure. The fee structure is there.
• And who doesn't want to not follow the rules? We don't. I mean, we don't have any tickets.
• We don't, like, we don't get in trouble for things like that because we do follow the rules.
• And they're actually, in the offseason, they're going to do some more with the administrative rules to
• And they're actually, in the offseason, they're going to do some more with the administrative rules to

Bills: HCR96 , SB431

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 431 by Senator Foil. The bill, as amended in the House, would apply only to non-consensual private-property tows and require towing companies to have someone available on weekends to release vehicles within 90 minutes of a call if they want to charge storage fees for Saturday and Sunday. Senator Foil said the measure was intended to help vehicle owners retrieve cars and belongings sooner, while not forcing companies to stay open; Lieutenant John Nelson of Louisiana State Police explained that payment would still occur at the yard and that the bill did not change the fee structure. Amy Seals of Riverside Towing opposed the bill, citing safety concerns, burdens on office staff, and fairness issues because it would not cover police-initiated tows; she suggested limiting weekend release hours to daytime. Despite her concerns, the committee moved SB 431 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 96 by Representative Adams, which urges the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, to provide educational materials on proper roundabout use. Adams said the resolution was meant to help drivers in smaller parishes and elsewhere who struggle with roundabouts. Several members supported the idea, noting confusion about roundabout navigation in their areas, and one member asked whether driver education already covers the topic. The resolution was moved favorably without objection. Before adjourning, the chair recognized a new DOTD staff member and a visitor from the Florida Women’s Republican group. Representative Spells then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.