Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, it should be a call to action to leave this building and call your congressional members
• Congressional members to do something about this because this is not a long shot.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to talk about it publicly and encourage them that as we go through the coming holidays of Memorial
• I want to talk about it publicly and encourage them that as we go through the coming holidays of Memorial
• </c> law for her family and for her memory law for her family and for her memory and<00:32:26.720><c>
• We had President Trump and Republican congressional candidates.
• congressional congressional candidates.<02:05:43.920><c> They</c><02:05:44.239><c> ran</c><02:05:44.719

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of Human Services, she became a trusted liaison to legislators, the office of the governor, and congressional

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Human Services, she became a trusted liaison to legislators, the office of the governor, and congressional

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was at the first congressional church, the winter park.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to say a special thank you to our congressional delegation for including Workforce PEL.
• to</c><00:25:46.000><c> our</c> say a special thank you to our say a special thank you to our congressional
• <00:25:46.720><c> delegation</c><00:25:47.919><c> for</c><00:25:48.559><c> including</c> congressional
• delegation for including congressional delegation for including workforce<00:25:49.600><c> pel.
• </c> >> This is totally from memory. >> So, we received roughly $10 million from the federal ... 40 million

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill honors the memory of children who have tragically lost their lives due to fentanyl poisoning
• It was California's own congressional leaders, such as Senator Padilla and Representative Lofgren, who
• It was California's own congressional leaders, such as Senator Padilla and Representative Lofgren, who

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had President Trump and Republican congressional candidates.
• We had President Trump and Republican congressional candidates.
• We had President Trump and Republican congressional candidates.
• We had President Trump and Republican congressional candidates.
• congressional congressional candidates.<01:28:29.199><c> They</c><01:28:29.440><c> ran</c><01:28:30.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Congressional Research Service report concludes that the home mortgage interest deduction is ineffective
• And<01:12:13.880><c> a</c><01:12:13.960><c> 2017</c><01:12:14.880><c> US</c><01:12:15.080><c> Congressional
• </c><01:12:15.560><c> Research</c> And a 2017 US Congressional Research And a 2017 US Congressional Research

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1968, Senator Spark Matsunaga entered it into the congressional record, and in 1984 it was mentioned
• Spark Matsunaga entered it<01:17:10.640><c> into</c><01:17:10.800><c> the</c><01:17:10.960><c> congressional
• </c><01:17:11.520><c> record</c><01:17:12.000><c> and</c><01:17:12.239><c> in</c> it into the congressional
• record and in it into the congressional record and in 1984<01:17:14.400><c> um</c><01:17:14.560><c>

Bills: HB1813 , HB2429 , HB2423 , HB1996 , HB1851 , HB2546 , HB2028 , HB2583 , HB2490 , HB2545 , HB2114 , HB1859 , HB2534 , HB2474 , HB1863 , HB2475

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In November, she signed a letter with 36 state attorneys general to congressional leadership renewing
• with 36 state attorneys<01:19:04.920><c> general</c><01:19:05.640><c> to</c><01:19:05.760><c> congressional
• </c> attorneys general to congressional attorneys general to congressional leadership<01:19:07.080><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fringe way to get around the law, apparently in 2022 there was a study that found one in four U.S. congressional
• was a study that found one in four there was a study that found one in four us<00:56:48.400><c> Congressional
• 49.880><c> more</c><00:56:50.079><c> than</c><00:56:50.440><c> every</c><00:56:50.720><c> a</c> us Congressional
• races more than every a us Congressional races more than every a third<00:56:51.200><c> of</c><00:56

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Minnesota River is a very important asset to the state, and I've been working hard with our Congressional
• hard with um you know I've been working hard with uh<01:10:23.280><c> our</c><01:10:23.480><c> Congressional
• </c><01:10:24.080><c> Delegation</c><01:10:24.719><c> as</c><01:10:24.880><c> well</c> uh our Congressional
• Delegation as well uh our Congressional Delegation as well as as as as<01:10:26.480><c> uh</c><01:10

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extending down toward Hopkinton, and there's a section of trail under development now that was congressionally
• that</c><00:45:29.160><c> was</c> under development now that was under development now that was congressionally
• <c> uh</c><00:45:30.960><c> directed</c><00:45:31.440><c> funding</c><00:45:32.440><c> um</c> congressionally
• uh directed funding um congressionally uh directed funding um that's<00:45:32.960><c> in</c><00:45:33.200

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And at that time, he had nine co-sponsors, but it never advanced to a congressional vote.
• Supreme Court decisions emphasizing the major questions doctrine, which requires clear congressional
• Supreme Court decisions emphasizing the major questions doctrine, which requires clear congressional
• Supreme Court decisions emphasizing the major questions doctrine, which requires clear congressional
• Supreme Court decisions emphasizing the major questions doctrine, which requires clear congressional

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would like to offer an oral amendment that all the programs are divided by congressional district
• 36.320><c> to</c><01:57:36.639><c> make</c><01:57:36.800><c> sure</c> >> You know, because the congressional
• Um, number two is I think your point on the geographical or congressional point makes a lot of sense.
• amendment if you want to take that would have to be in three different spots, breaking it up by congressional
• amendment if you want to take that would have to be in three different spots, breaking it up by congressional

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I began my career running Ian Bowles' primary campaign in the 10th Congressional District.

Bills: S2743 , S2861 , S3021

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: domestic violence, police training, suspicious deaths, homicide investigation, victim support, school bus safety, commission, student safety, operator training, safety standards, Legislative oversight, public health, student transportation, school bus, school pupil transportation, pupil transport, child passenger safety, school van, transportation contractor, motor vehicle safety

Transcript Highlights:

• accounting for 24% of the nation's gross domestic product, according to the June 2024 budget. ...of the Congressional

Bills: SB 21 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Christmigasa, and I'm here as the Assistant Manager of Northeastern States for the Congressional
• Some of my earliest memories are from those summers, playing along the shoreline with my cousins, collecting
• Protecting horseshoe crabs is also about preserving a piece of my childhood, honoring the memories of
• Protecting horseshoe crabs is also about preserving a piece of my childhood, honoring the memories of

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies. The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shortly after his death, they tried to have a memorial service for him and to send out notice to his
• Shortly after his death, they tried to have a memorial service for him and to send out notice to his
• In 2017, at a congressional hearing, Kenneth Stern, a lead drafter of the IHRA definition, testified
• Near Eastern Studies at UMass, acting interim director of the Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Memory

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.