Transcript Highlights:

• This is the California where the doors of opportunity don't just open halfway, but they swing wide open
• Preferences should really be opening it up and opening the door for everybody to have that same opportunity
• I love open government bills. This is an open government bill.
• We'll leave it open. Okay. Four ayes, one not voting. I believe it's open. Okay.
• We keep the roll open. Thank you. Aye. That measure is nine ayes. We keep the roll open. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• What pharmacies are open at midnight on July 4th? Or what pharmacies are open on Christmas Day?
• Tony Large: And we know these patients and caregivers really do drive around town looking for an open
• So then you can transfer the prescription by law. How many times? One.
• So you can transfer a controlled substance once by law to another pharmacy, and that's it.
• can only be transferred so many times after it's been sent to a pharmacist.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:23.200> that in our communities when they open that in our communities when they open
• Current law allows that transfer to happen.
• , and only 119 and for gun transfers, and only 119 actually<02:42:43.440> happened.
• Possibly without reimbursement if transferred to law enforcement. Mr.
• I had my windows open and my next-door neighbor had his music just blasting.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 113, by July 1st, the commissioner of management and budget must transfer from the general fund
• <00:02:54.080> from of management budget must transfer from of management budget must transfer
• Eight years ago, we opened Sterling Specialty Pharmacy.
• Open many years ago, and she was there.
• many years ago, but I for um the US Open many years ago, but I was<01:40:16.239> there.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like where are they, where are they at, where are they open for services, what does that look like in
• She was open to engage... She was open to engaging with him, right?
• She was open to engaging with him, right? And her perpetrator went away for life.
• And we also want it to be, as I said, transferable across regions.
• Or rather, should we create a protocol that can be transferred across different health care systems?

Summary: The first meeting of the Human Trafficking and Emergency Department Task Force focused on implementing Act 267, which created the body to develop a statewide human trafficking protocol to be incorporated into Louisiana’s sexual assault response plans. Chair Rep. Kelly Hennessy Dickerson and Office of Human Trafficking Prevention Director Mary Kate Andropont emphasized that the goal is a practical, transferable, survivor-centered protocol that can be adapted across regions and health systems. The task force also noted its timeline: use today’s presentations and member feedback to draft a protocol before the next meeting, then refine it into a final version. Presenters from hospitals, SANE programs, and advocacy organizations described current practices and gaps. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport’s Operation Rahab and FMOLHS’s human trafficking policies highlighted staff education, badge buddies, anonymous admissions, hotline and law enforcement reporting, and coordination with community partners. SANE and forensic nursing presenters described red-dot privacy alerts, trauma-informed interviewing, and the need to train all hospital staff, not just ED clinicians, because trafficking victims may present repeatedly or in non-ED settings. LaFASA described statewide advocacy and legal support, while Unbound Now and BCFS/Common Thread explained Louisiana’s juvenile trafficking response under Act 662, including 24/7 crisis response, relational advocacy, and care coordination for minors. Members repeatedly raised the lack of safe housing, transportation, and placement options after identification, especially for adults, male survivors, and adults with special needs. Several presenters said that identifying victims is only the first step and that Louisiana still lacks enough resources for discharge and long-term stabilization. The task force also discussed the need for broader training across emergency departments, residency programs, nursing, housekeeping, maintenance, student health, mental health, and law enforcement, with members stressing that protocols should be clear, trauma-informed, and usable statewide. No votes were taken; the main action was to gather testimony, identify gaps, and begin drafting the statewide protocol.

Transcript Highlights:

• that annual transfer at $24 million per year.
• that annual transfer at $24 million per year.
• that annual transfer at $24 million per year.
• <02:08:28.159> it $130 million per year um and transfer it $130 million per year um and transfer
• Um, and this would transfer the 1858.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open... So, it's just the beginning.
• So just, again, as I described in my opening remarks,...
• And it kind of opened my eyes to the entire process.
• And then camps opening, maybe...
• We're now opening public testimony on House Bill 3595.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take them up in open session tomorrow at the appropriate time.
• moved to hear the nominees in open moved to hear the nominees in open session<00:13:47.360> and
• Senator Kagan, open >> Senate bill 99.
• <00:21:20.720> on vehicles, marine vessels, transfer on vehicles, marine vessels, transfer
• >> Senate Bill 99, Senator Kagan, open >> Senate Bill 99, Senator Kagan, open meetings

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi David Hland, followed by a series of introductions and recognitions for visiting groups and guests, including Delta Sigma Theta members for Delta Day in Annapolis, Towson High School students, the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition, interns, and other visitors. The Senate adopted a resolution honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Maryland chapters for service, scholarship, sisterhood, and social action, and also journalized the rabbi’s invocation. Several committee and delegation announcements were made, including upcoming bill hearings and voting sessions. On legislation, the chamber handled a number of special-order and third-reading bills. Senate Bill 56 and Senate Bill 99 were both delayed for further amendment work, with SB 99 ultimately amended and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also received and referred a bond initiative and heard an executive nominations report, with the nominations set for consideration in open session at a later time. During third reading, the Senate passed numerous bills, including measures on mail and service animal program disqualifications, police promotion pay restrictions, counterfeit lease penalties, Motor Vehicle Administration identification card requirements, environmental health specialist board sunset extension, used vehicle bill of sale requirements, collective bargaining for ATC cannabis police officers, transfer-on-death designations for vehicles and vessels, heavy-weight port corridor permits, controllable electronic records, lead paint abatement bonding and insurance, civic excellence in public schools, child pornography penalties, cemetery sale/transfer requirements, tobacco licenses for electronic smoking devices, legal services board membership, Baltimore County Public Library supervisory bargaining, money transmitter definitions, scalp cooling insurance coverage, prosthesis and orthosis coverage, elevator inspection database access, tax increment financing in noncontiguous areas, professional liability disclosure for certain care facilities and midwives, immunity for donation of pet supplies, massage therapy board revisions, and others. One bill drew floor debate: Senate Bill 82, which would increase penalties for counterfeit lease of real property, was opposed by a senator who argued it would disproportionately impact renters and conflict with justice reform goals. Despite that objection, the bill passed. The Senate also changed one recorded vote on Senate Bill 252 from red to green by unanimous consent. Overall, the session was marked by routine passage of a large slate of bills, a few postponements for amendment negotiation, and several ceremonial recognitions and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is on the backs of the ratepayers and opens us up to unlimited amounts of money.
• This is on the backs of the rate payers and opens us up to unlimited amounts of money.
• Money was already appropriated, and they're going to transfer the money internally.
• Money was already appropriated, and they're going to transfer the money internally.
• transferred to the Resilient Transportation and NJ Transit Fund created under the bill.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• births and forcibly transferring births and forcibly transferring children<01:14:30.880> out<
• up Pathways for aspiring Training opens up Pathways for aspiring midwives<01:52:19.520> such<
• I'm opening a clinic.
• I'm opening a clinic.
• I'm opening a clinic.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments. Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices. The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are open to working with anyone to make those purchases.
• We're proposing to increase transfer fees and exempt reporting adviser fees, not all license fees.
• As I noted, I think, when I was here last time, we had just opened for applications for the CanRenew
• The third section changes the transfer fee for broker-dealers from $25 to $65 and requires investment
• advisors to pay a $50 transfer fee to the Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity to present House Bill 3773, which directs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to transfer
• counties are incurring excessive costs for housing and caring for the detainees as they wait for transfer
• There's 1,719 folks waiting to be transferred out of jail for mental health facilities.
• Uh, currently in Comau County, as of today, we have 8 that are waiting, uh, transfer.
• And so another question is, um, would you be open, uh, to considering the ideal of exempting counties

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 1,719 folks waiting to be transferred out of jail to mental health facilities. ...all on the
• Currently in Comal County, as of today, we have eight that are waiting transfer.
• Chairman Leach's staff has had an open door with us and has talked with us and is working with us on
• If that's not the case, then let us take the first step. folks that are in the jail, and then transfer
• Transfer them to them within five days of conviction, and three, Let us write these folks, use some of

Bills: HB153, HB1410, HB1461, HB1760, HB1762, HB3261, HB3773, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, private prisons, inmate confinement, criminal justice reform, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, government contracts, inmate housing

Transcript Highlights:

• We stayed open. We delivered. There's a mental health crisis.
• Could special ed districts be allowed to transfer their aid to other member districts?
• Could special ed districts be allowed to transfer their aid to other member districts?
• Could special ed districts be allowed to transfer their aid to other member districts?
• Could special ed districts be allowed to transfer their aid to other member districts?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• open-mindedness to work with these open-mindedness to work with these uh<00:28:15.520> nursing
• I just have a few opening Chair.
• At that time, we had an all-time high number of open positions at 23,000 open positions in senior care
• had an all-time high uh number of open had an all-time high uh number of open positions<01:19:43.600
• :45.920> in positions at 23,000 open positions in positions at 23,000 open positions in senior

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They just have to make that transfer over to it being a capital project.
• They just have to make that transfer over to it being a capital project.
• In Section 9, we're providing for a transfer.
• No, this is an open discussion. And for now, President Willis... Okay.
• It’s all open. That week is open. Would August 18th work for people?

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our opening remarks, I know that. Representative Trabulsy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• In our opening remarks, I know that they were very lengthy.
• So, in your opening, you mentioned that there was an overall increase in funding.
• How did we choose the company that we were going to be using, and wasn't it in an open bid process?
• of USF, And yet we are wanting to do the transfer of USF, Sarasota, Manatee to new college.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for the fresh air, the rich soil, the wide open prairies, the vast forests, the wild and
• Open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to your ways. Help us to listen to you and to each other.
• policy be re-referred to the committee policy be re-referred to the committee on<00:09:50.800> transfer
• <00:09:53.040> I<00:09:53.200> have on transfer finance and policy.
• I have on transfer finance and policy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• was touring in Sacramento earlier this year, days before the event, Live Nation decided to block transfer
• Days before the event, Live Nation decided to block transfer of consumer tickets. So what happened?
• We are progressing, and we'll keep an open door.
• But we'll keep an open door, and we also want to work through these issues.
• We are progressing, and we'll keep an open door, but also we want to work through these issues.

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are those meetings open to anyone?
• Right now, we all have open positions.
• We had an opening in Oklahoma County a few months ago.
• Are those open positions?
• And I also want to offer to each of you, our offices are open, our courthouses are open.

Keywords: 914, all