Bills: SB248, SB242, HB44, SB266, HB44

Keywords: Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation, license suspension, tax assessment, tax refund, administrative appeal, circuit court, Montgomery County

Bills: SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99, SB209, SB248, HB122, SB99

Keywords: sales tax exemption, Consumer Price Index, local government, clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness, Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation

Transcript Highlights:

• by making it an office within the APA.
• by making it an office within the APA.
• by making it an office within the APA.
• by making it an office within the APA.
• to example for right now the APA has to example for right now the APA has to provide<00:18:46.720

Keywords: 00:11 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:02 Discussion of 25RS SB 26 07:48 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 26 08:43 Discussion of 25RS SB 85 28:04 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 85 29:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 805 40:30 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 805 41:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 26, presented by Senator Brandon Storm, Family Court Judge Marcus Vanover, and Crystal Adams on behalf of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The bill would ensure Kentucky complies with the ADA by prohibiting disability alone from being used to terminate adoption petitions, parental rights, or child-placement petitions. Testimony cited Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases involving parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and national data showing high removal rates for parents with psychiatric, intellectual, or physical disabilities. The committee approved the bill 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 85 from Senator Steve Meredith and State Auditor Allison Ball, which continues the transition of the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Auditor’s office. Testimony focused on completing the transfer by clarifying access to the ITWIST database, ensuring complaints go directly to the Ombudsman, adding whistleblower protections, and making the office a separate office within the Auditor’s office for efficiency. Members asked about the prior conflict of interest when the Ombudsman was housed within CHFS, the database access dispute and lawsuit, and whether the office still remained independent. The bill passed with favorable expression after some members voted pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 805, with Representative Nick Wilson and Representative Sarah Stalker explaining a committee substitute and amendment. The bill would set timelines for the Cabinet to physically locate children reported at immediate safety risk and require annual kinship-care reporting to be automatically provided to the legislature and posted publicly. Wilson said the bill also cleans up language from last year’s House Bill 271, including changing “threats” to “risks” in the safety-plan definition and other terminology fixes. The committee adopted the substitute and amendment and advanced the bill with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without an APA exemption, we expect the implementation of programs will be delayed by a year or more
• We do recognize that the APA exists for a...
• Assuming that we go along with this APA exemption request, but some guidance about, you know, things
• Hall on supporting the APA process. As you know, there's a robust water recycling funding program.
• I'd like to echo the support for the proposed APA exemption, which will ensure that funding.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without an APA exemption, we expect the implementation of programs will be delayed by a year or more
• “Interested in modifying the APA so that you don't have to ask for exemptions in the future?
• . ...bill to exempt the funding programs under Proposition 4 from the APA process.
• Hall on supporting the APA process. As you know, there's a robust water recycling funding program.
• the APA and that specific issue, but do emphasize the need for speed on getting those grants out.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the administration’s spending plan for Proposition 4’s climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters, along with related trailer bill language. CDFA outlined proposed funding for existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, Urban Agriculture, and invasive species work, plus new or phased-in programs including year-round and mobile farmers’ markets, tribal food sovereignty, and regional farm equipment sharing. The Department of Conservation described funding for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and Working Lands and Riparian Corridors Program, while the Department of Finance and LAO discussed pending allocations and generally found the overall approach reasonable, though LAO suggested the Legislature may want more statutory guidance and reporting, especially for new programs. Members focused on implementation details, equity, and accountability. Questions covered how programs would serve vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, whether new solicitations would be reopened for previously oversubscribed grants, how outcomes are tracked, and how to structure guidance for new programs such as farm equipment sharing. The chair emphasized that the Legislature wants clearer direction on program design and noted that AB 2313 should guide implementation of the regional farm equipment sharing allocation. The committee also discussed the administration’s request to directly appropriate bond funds to departments and to exempt bond program guidelines from the Administrative Procedures Act; LAO supported the APA exemption with possible legislative guardrails for public notice and comment. The committee then heard on the farm-to-school proposal, with CDFA requesting $24.9 million General Fund for incubator grants, technical assistance, and network support. CDFA said the program has reached nearly half of California schoolchildren and has shown strong demand and positive evaluation results. LAO supported the core program but recommended rejecting the $3 million technical assistance component as too broad and suggested the Legislature consider using Proposition 98 for some of the funding. Members debated that point, with some expressing concern about using General Fund dollars for a new discretionary request during a tight budget year. The biodiversity and nature-based solutions chapter included funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and tribal nature-based solutions. WCB described major recent investments and proposed projects tied to 30 by 30, habitat restoration, tribal partnerships, and public access. Members raised concerns about long-term stewardship, the size of the WCB allocation, and whether the Legislature should receive more detail on how funds will be distributed. The committee also heard requests for Bolsa Chica wetlands maintenance and Rincon Island decommissioning funding from the State Lands Commission, with members questioning long-term liability, remediation costs, and the role of private oil operators. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with public comment from stakeholders largely supporting the APA exemption, farm-to-school funding, biodiversity investments, and related conservation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mac on behalf of APA Texas and that you will be testifying against the Bill, is that correct?
• APA Texas is an association of. 2,500 private and public sector planners that manage growth and plan
• Hey, we show you registered as Carissa Cox on behalf of yourself and APA.
• I'm here on behalf of APA Texas and we are in opposition to Bill 2494.
• Cox, on behalf of yourself and APA Texas, and that you will be testifying against.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that, you know, I actually participated in a pilot program through APA going to schools,
• So I think that through APA, having those kind of programs, pilot programs, to introduce what planning
• Moving on to the challenges, we at APA California have identified the following challenges to updating
• This concludes my comments, and again, we at APA California appreciate this opportunity to address you
• I concur a lot with what both the supervisor and Tom said on behalf of APA.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 253, by Assembly Member Ward and presented by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits if a local building department would take more than 30 days. Supporters, including California YIMBY, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Housing Action Coalition, the Bay Area Council, SPUR, and Abundant Housing LA, said the bill would reduce permitting delays and help housing production. League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties expressed concerns but were not formally opposed. Members voiced strong support, and the bill passed the committee 10-0 to Appropriations. The committee then held an informational hearing on California’s general plan. The first panel, led by UC Davis professor Catherine Brinkley, gave an overview of the general plan structure, required elements, update cycles, and the new PlanSearch database that makes adopted plans searchable statewide. She emphasized that general plans are long-term, locally tailored documents that integrate housing, transportation, safety, environmental justice, and other policy areas, and noted that many plans and elements are outdated. Members asked about update timelines, public participation, and whether AI tools could help with drafting and analysis. A second panel of local government representatives described the practical challenges of preparing and updating general plans, especially in rural and small jurisdictions. Speakers from Calaveras County, Sacramento, San Joaquin County, and Fountain Valley cited staffing shortages, consultant availability, funding constraints, CEQA and outreach costs, changing state mandates, and the difficulty of keeping plans aligned with local conditions and board turnover. They asked for more funding, more time, clearer prioritization, and more flexibility. A third panel from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation explained its role in issuing general plan guidelines, technical advisories, and annual planning surveys, and said it is updating its guidance through 2027 to reflect recent housing, climate, safety, environmental justice, and open space laws. No public comment was offered, and the informational hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• this year and bring back to you any recommendations that may be desirable for Articles 1 and 2 of the APA
• previously formed a work group to discuss amending language on harmless error under Section 2.2-47 of the APA
• Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the harmless error doctrine only applies to procedural defects in APA
• actually Justice McCollum by happenstance, suggested that the General Assembly may want to amend the APA
• line with common procedures regarding harmless error doctrine under federal law and under other state APAs

Keywords: Code Commission, 976, house, all

Summary: The Virginia Code Commission met on June 3, 2026, approved the November 17, 2025 minutes, and adopted an electronic meeting policy for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The commission also welcomed a new member, Travis Hill, the Attorney General’s designee, and later approved the 2026 work plan for the Administrative Law Advisory Committee (ALAC), which will continue work on updating Articles 1 and 2 of the Administrative Process Act, the preservation of error doctrine, and the harmless error doctrine. A major discussion focused on a plain-English forms initiative raised by Justice McCullough. Members agreed to create a work group including clerks, the Office of the Executive Secretary, judges, and practitioners, and to survey circuit and general district court clerks for the most problematic forms as a starting point. The goal is to identify code changes and possible plain-language alternatives that could improve court forms and user understanding, with the commission approving that next step by motion. The commission also approved extending its contract with LexisNexis for three years, with one member abstaining because of a firm relationship with the parent company. It accepted and acted on an Attorney General opinion regarding Virginia Beach charter provisions, directing staff to update the law portal to reflect the opinion’s conclusions about which sections were repealed or remain historical. In addition, the commission noted that the Title 30 recodification passed with a reenactment clause and will require a work group and further review next year; it also heard a request from the Virginia Electoral Board Association to consider Title 24.2 for future recodification, but took that under advisement for later discussion. The meeting ended with plans to poll for an August or early September meeting and to discuss a separate “shall” bill referral at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all that the APA does.
• That's all that the APA does.
• The APA administrative procedures act.
• It does not really that the APA does.
• So, the APA what are they reviewing.

Bills: HB0066, HJ0005, HB0010

Keywords: administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, state agencies, regulatory interpretation, statutory interpretation, separation of powers, individual liberty, administrative procedure, agency action, Wyoming Supreme Court, district court review, oil and gas inspector, regulatory challenge, anti-deference, law enforcement, memorial, Patrolman Rosa

Transcript Highlights:

• For your information, last month, we received guidance from the federal government that all APA funds
• Senate Bill 1142 reappropriates excess APA interest funds to projects within DHS. $3 million is going
• All falling within the guidelines for APA. Additional question. Follow up.
• If First of all, this appropriates UHAR administrative funds to LSB and OMEs to close out the APA program

Bills: HB4028, HB4029, HB4059, HB4063, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1142

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Transcript Highlights:

• demonstrate a lack of attention to detail by the agency, at best, and, at worst, outright subversion of the APA
• Outright subversion of the APA at worst.
• comprehensive economic analysis by not soliciting information from agencies of the public as required by the APA

Bills: HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1094, HJR1095, SJR49

Keywords: administrative rules, rule approval, joint resolution, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Corporation Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Liquified Petroleum Gas Board, water resources, wildlife conservation, tourism, zoning commission, energy regulation, agricultural regulation, agency rules, permanent rules, state agencies, Oklahoma Legislature, business and commerce, professional licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one chain pharmacist that will also be appointed by the governor from a list from the APA.
• An independent pharmacist appointed by the lieutenant governor from a list from the APA.
• That one's appointed by the speaker from a list from the APA, an institutional pharmacist.
• From names submitted by the APA, a registered pharmacy technician appointed by the pro tempore.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paid 100% by the APA grant, those federal dollars.
• that need to happen, and so that would have to come from the agency because it's not something that APA
• I'm not funding anyone unless you mean like for APA dollars in, but then again, those are career tech

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, we would suggest that you approve the APA exemption.
• You know, your last recommendation is that we do the APA exemption.
• You know, these are things that the APA requirements ensure.
• And so, could we selectively waive the APA requirements?
• My understanding is that the APA process is very prolonged, and so, to the degree you leave it in place

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill Joint committee report 4077 addresses the APA funded projects and reallocates $1,058,259.60
• OK, within section one of the bill, you have $34,692 in APA funds being appropriated to LSB.
• And you've got $213,308 in APA interest funds within LSB.
• Section 3 appropriates And earns $6,000 in federal APA funds to OMES.
• And then, in section 4, $612,220 in APA interest funds to OMES.

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, SJR39, SB1290, HB4028, HB4029, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, HB1250, HB2951, HB2961, HB3151, HB3581, HB3705, HB3970, HB3972, HB3980, HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• thing as hearing examiner so let's go ahead and let him change it to hearing examiner to align with the APA
• And that you guys want the name change to bring alignment into the APA. That's fair.
• have come to be convinced that basically all we're doing here is a name change to align it With the APA

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1094, HJR1095, SJR49

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• good friend here that today's a little bit bittersweet in that after four years of dealing with the APA
• you are all about transparency, and I know many of us are, I think it will go down in history as the APA
• I moved to authorize the Oklahoma Water Sources Board to reallocate any remaining APAS/SlFrF funds appropriated

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• career service protections that have been afforded to our ALJs, I believe, since the outset of the APA
• Judge Schwartz: To our ALJs, I believe, since the outset of the APA.
• with the strength of the career service protections that have been around since the inception of the APA
• with the strength of the career service protections that have been around since the inception of the APA

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• standing issue was overcome and then you have a court that says what the FDA did did not comport with the APA
• Relief Clarification Act, which I am proud to be a co-sponsor of, amends section 705 and 706 of the APA
• My question to the two of you is, can you discuss the emergence of the APA vecature and in the broader
• injunctions, and all the same things will be done by courts, against agencies, at least, under the APA
• injunctions would then, in most cases, allow courts just to say, well, I'm going to look over here to the APA

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• And and again, that's a mix of funding between APA funding and then about $22 million dollars worth of
• The project's sitting at about $200 million dollars right now, funded $50 $50 million from APA, $30 million
• But if you look at the historic and Actually, we had some bumps because of APA funding in our capital
• Again, no FTs here and So this is where you look at that FY23 had the big APA bump.

Keywords: 914, all