Transcript Highlights:

• The other main issue that we raised, as we did last year, is inclusion in the definition of worker in
• Gigantic new loads could be coming onto our grid, and that raises, you know, good news and bad news.
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• Of incorporation, paying taxes, following unemployment laws, and very strong and detailed labor laws.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other main issue that we raised, as we did last year, is inclusion in the definition of worker in
• Gigantic new loads could be coming onto our grid, and that raises, you know, good news and bad news.
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• It's really just about the capital gains that we end up using to essentially pay for health and human

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds will be raised locally to pay for it, but it does require the approval of the House.
• The issue has been raised by local government and by military bases.
• Prosecutors refuse to pick up these cases regarding juvenile-on-juvenile crimes, and there are many examples
• veterans, and most importantly, the Taylor and Lenz family, who have worked to preserve Joey's legacy and raise
• There were nurses, there were folks who processed the pay, and there were folks who took care of carrying

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would think there's someone who kind of pays attention to that process and just want to make sure
• ensure victim notification requirements that are in plain language and requiring notification when a prosecutor
• ensure victim notification requirements that are in plain language and requiring notification when a prosecutor
• ensure victim notification requirements that are in plain language and requiring notification when a prosecutor
• ensure victim notification requirements that are in plain language and requiring notification when a prosecutor

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And hey, we like paying our guys, but, you know, people need to have some say in what they pay.
• And hey, we like paying our guys, but, you know, people need to have some say in what they pay.
• And with that, I yield back. raised over $20,000 to enhance STEM raised over $20,000 to enhance STEM
• Speaker, 45% of all U.S. tax receipts would pay interest. Are we paying attention?
• It's not fund and pay for it? Probably.

Bills: HCR39 , HR275 , HR875

Keywords: social work, mental health, community health, social justice, addiction support, veteran assistance, child welfare, disability rights, intellectual disabilities, inclusion, The Arc, community support

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, we only pay $86 a month for our HOA dues, but I don't want to see us have to pay more
• DWR under that statute serves as a prosecutor. This isn't an administrative program.
• Does this raise, so may ask Mr. Smolden, does this raise taxes then for the taxpayers?
• There's no other taxpayer that pays.
• SB 1560 simply raises the loan limit from $3 million per application to $20 million.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several water and energy-related measures. SB 1200, as amended by a Griffin strike-everything amendment, addressed the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ treatment of certain “conduit lakes” in active management areas. ADWR testified neutral on the bill but opposed the amendment as written, saying it could grandfather in lakes that are currently in violation of the lakes statute and create water-management concerns. HOA and industry witnesses argued the bill would simply clarify and restore a prior interpretation for existing communities that rely on lakes to move groundwater and effluent for irrigation, while avoiding costly redesigns. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then passed SB 1200 with a due pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1419, which would tighten consumer protections for residential rooftop solar sales and installations by adding disclosure, inspection, and contractor-responsibility requirements. County and solar-industry witnesses said the bill was the product of a lengthy stakeholder process and was intended to address misleading sales practices and roof-damage concerns, while noting additional floor amendments were still expected. The committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed SB 1419 with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote, with two members voting present. SB 1447, which extends certain groundwater withdrawal fee exemptions and fund deadlines in the Pinal Active Management Area, was supported by irrigation and municipal water users as a needed bridge for infrastructure and conservation efforts amid Colorado River uncertainty; it passed 7-1. SB 1560, increasing the maximum single loan from the water supply development revolving fund from $3 million to $20 million, was backed by WIFA as necessary to meet larger rural water project needs; it passed 8-1. Finally, the committee heard SCM 1004, a memorial asking Congress to clearly define the EPA’s powers and duties. One speaker opposed it as unnecessary, but the memorial was approved on a 6-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• drive-up in costs, these delays, not just for the projects but for the American families who are paying
• have found creative ways to use the judicial process to delay, remand, or strike down projects and raise
• Where things are so bad that deeply conservative career prosecutors have resigned rather than carry out
• And 18% for winter peaks over the next 10 years, raising concerns about energy shortfalls as our chair
• Because it's American workers that pay the price.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: environmental review, permitting process, infrastructure, bipartisan legislation, economic growth, Nucor, West Virginia

Summary: The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BILL PROVIDES FUNDING TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PAY FOR APPRENTICESHIPS INCLUDING THE
• IF YOUR FROM PUERTO RICO YOU WILL PAY THREE TIMES AS MUCH.
• THERE ARE PAYING IN-STATE TUITION. SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER THEIR LIVES.
• THEY ARE PAYING IN-STATE TUITION AND THEY ARE FLORIDIANS. THEY ARE AMERICANS IN EVERY WAY.
• DEPARTMENT, WE ELECT TO RAISE OUR OWN CHILDREN, WE NEED TO STAFF THESE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND

Transcript Highlights:

• Connie was a state rep, Brent worked in the Capitol all these years, raise your hand.
• Raise your hand up there. Joellen, you're hidden with that red shirt up there. so watch out.
• Brett, raise your hand and all the chamber folks that are up here. Thank you.
• the Justice Municipal Court's attorney in order to defend in a confined of jail time for failure to pay
• HB 803 by Goodwin relating to the monthly amount of longevity pay for state employees referred to the

Transcript Highlights:

• TO DCF'S DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION, THE HOPE FLORIDA FOUNDATION OF WHICH UP TO THAT POINT ONLY RAISED
• WE ARE NOT JUDGES OR PROSECUTORS.

Transcript Highlights:

• More, More, Munson, Munson, Newton here, Norwood here, Olsen here, Osborne here, Pay, Pay, Patzkowski
• How much longer do they typically have to pay to get out?
• Representative Pay votes yes. Representative Smith now votes yes.
• Please recognize Representative Pay for a motion, Speaker. I seek to you.
• Representative Pay, you're recognized. Thank you, Speaker.

Bills: SB1090 , SJR49 , SB633 , HR1059 , SB650 , SB2063 , SB122 , SB1614 , SB1884 , SJR52 , SJR53 , HJR1101 , SJR50 , HB3021 , HR1058 , SB514 , SB382 , HB3320 , SB740 , SB833 , SB2143 , SB1209 , SB244

Keywords: SB1090, Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act, home repair, home solicitation contract, cooling-off period, right to cancel, consumer protection, contract rescission, certified mail cancellation, home solicitation sales, contractor regulation, home improvement scams, public finance, State Treasurer, Invest In Oklahoma, OCAST, venture capital, private equity, growth funds, direct investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Graham alone raised club raising money. Graham alone raised club raising money.
• It's they're going to pay for it on It's they're going to pay for it on It's they're going to pay for
• If we're willing to pay for pay for uh this the willing to pay for pay for uh this the willing to pay
• But you're pay, you could do that. But you're pay, you could do that.
• So she had to, you know, pay all of her she had to, you know, pay all of her she had to, you know, pay

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Creighton: prosecutors face jurisdictional limitations that can hinder their efforts to bring
• This bill allows Senator Creighton: prosecutors greater flexibility to keep up with the times and how
• This bill would give our local prosecutors the tools they need for modern theft and cybercrime.

Bills: HB2217

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met and considered two House bills. HB 2217 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies equip patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant components such as windshields, side doors, and windows. Senator Hagenbuch explained that the measure is intended to improve officer safety in light of shootings through patrol car glass, and no invited or public testimony was offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2217 favorably to the full Senate and also recommended it for the open uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 2594, with Senator Creighton explaining that it updates venue rules for cybercrime and related theft cases involving intangible property such as cryptocurrency, online fraud, and intellectual property theft. The bill would allow prosecution in the county where the victim resides, where the defendant is apprehended, or where the defendant is extradited to, giving prosecutors more flexibility when crimes cross county lines. No questions or testimony were offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2594 favorably to the full Senate. It was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing its business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• major red flags the past, this raises major red flags for<00:21:14.520><c> me.
• Uh, sometimes there's an agreement by a state's attorney or prosecutor because, in fact, the illness
• </c><01:41:58.200><c> because</c> state's attorney or prosecutor because state's attorney or prosecutor
• > to</c><01:45:16.040><c> drop</c><01:45:16.400><c> a</c> prosecutor deciding whether to drop a prosecutor
• Remember raise the age?

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we pay for the well.
• I have um federal and state prosecutor.
• I we're we're paying for an it.
• I think it raises legitimate concerns.
• </c> and raised a couple technical concerns. and raised a couple technical concerns.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been raised in the horse industry my entire life.
• broad definitions in this bill, creating a very difficult situation for enforcement officers and prosecutors
• It's how I was raised, and it has shaped who I am today.
• , California, New York, it all filters in and they will slowly chip away at everybody's right for raising
• I've also been a local official and a prosecutor, and I've seen those individuals that have way too many

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:46.680><c> about</c> concerns that were raised about concerns that were raised about potential
• Minnesota currently pays the 75th.
• Minnesota currently pays the 75th.
• </c><01:09:40.000><c> the</c> just putting another like raising the just putting another like raising
• </c> um difficulties while they are raising um difficulties while they are raising their<01:37:11.360

Bills: HF2136 , HF4195 , HF4548 , HF4432 , HF4174 , HF3024 , HF4389 , HF3773

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: youth intervention, grants, community support, early intervention services, nonprofit, Minnesota human services, forecast adjustment, budget forecast, appropriations, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Health Care Access Fund, general fund, behavioral health, housing support, General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, MFIP, DWP, child care assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a former prosecutor, and during my time as a prosecutor, I was assigned to the Kona drug court
• I also know from personal experience and from my time as a prosecutor how desperately we need mental
• I'm also a former prosecutor, and during my time as a prosecutor, I was assigned to the Kona drug court
• I also know from personal experience and from my time as a prosecutor how desperately we need mental
• how desperately we time as a prosecutor how desperately we need<00:25:55.600><c> mental</c><00:25:56.000

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if something was done, that's why we have prosecutors, right?
• If a citizen must pay for a birth certificate, pay for a name change document, pay for records from another
• I wanted to see if you were paying attention.
• I wanted to see if you were paying attention.
• They just have to pay for it themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• raising our annual dues?
• Can you raise your right hand to be sworn as a witness? Yes.
• Raise your right hand to be sworn in.
• Can you raise your right hand to be sworn in?
• Please raise your right hand to be sworn in as a witness.

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.