Transcript Highlights:

• , to provide for special education due process hearings, to provide that the local education agencies
• And neither should it deny him the right to actually have access to education.
• It tells families that their voices matter and that children like my daughter deserve equal access to
• For six years, he did not have access to his education. His IEP was not implemented.
• He did not have access to his education.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• because of stigma, lack of access to care, or cultural and economic barriers to treatment.
• When beneficiaries come forward to claim funds, they face barriers to access.
• When beneficiaries come forward to claim funds, they face barriers to access.
• When beneficiaries come forward to claim funds, they face barriers to access.
• Her commitment to her community was equally remarkable.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the key to our prosperity really denying a single mother working two jobs access to a doctor?
• They've raised it to 15, making it harder for students to get an education and harder to pay it back.
• bear the cost of your education to that degree anyway because we defunded education in this country.
• access to the 340B program.
• , fully and equally, hits close to home.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• will have access, uh, part-time access enrollment to public schools.
• We support the bill's intent to reinforce equal access to ensure this principle is applied consistently
• /c><00:04:57.199><c> equal</c><00:04:57.600><c> access</c> bill's intent to reinforce equal access bill's
• intent to reinforce equal access to<00:04:58.240><c> ensure</c><00:04:58.560><c> this</c><00:04:58.800
• </c> would have went to K12 education. would have went to K12 education.

Bills: SF0018 , SF0036 , SF0047

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The challenges facing African-American communities, from health disparities to educational inequities
• It determines who gets access to health care, who gets a quality education, and who... ...lives.
• It determines who gets access to health care, who gets a quality education, and who can afford housing
• the minds, open up to the communities that you're trying to access, I implore you all to reach out to
• my office, reach... ...communities that you're trying to access, I implore you all to reach out to my

Summary: The joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from Buffalo Soldiers of America used the occasion to correct the program name and briefly described the organization’s history, community events, and interest in obtaining a vacant building for a museum. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from African American leaders and advocates on issues such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, individual freedoms, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the 100-year recognition of Black History Month and the importance of honoring African American contributions in Arizona and nationally. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office. Representative Leah Landrum Taylor introduced the guest speakers, including Senator Kiana Maria Sears, who spoke about Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for justice, food security, housing, and economic parity. She reflected on her father’s military service and the barriers Black veterans faced in Arizona, including difficulty using VA benefits to buy homes, and urged attendees to use their voices and votes. Representative Blackman also offered remarks connecting the day’s message to biblical themes of courage and perseverance. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction from Representative Cruz, who stressed building community across districts and thanked participants before the joint protocol session was dissolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The challenges facing African-American communities, from health disparities to educational inequities
• It determines who gets access to health care, who gets a quality education, and who... lives.
• It determines who gets access to health care, who gets a quality education, and who can afford housing
• the minds, open up to the communities that you're trying to access, I implore you all to reach out to
• my office, reach... ...communities that you're trying to access, I implore you all to reach out to my

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held a joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day, opening with prayer, presentation of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from the Buffalo Soldiers of America also used the occasion to correct the program name and ask lawmakers for help securing a vacant building for a museum to preserve and display its historical exhibits and community work. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from community leaders on priorities such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the importance of recognizing African American contributions and history. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office and community organizations. Senator Keiana Maria Sears delivered the main remarks, focusing on Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for equality, economic parity, food security, and housing access. She spoke about the experiences of Black veterans, South Phoenix history, and the importance of teaching Black history and encouraging voting and civic participation. Representative Blackman also offered brief remarks about courage, faith, and the contributions of Black Americans to the country. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction by Representative Cruz, who stressed building connections across districts and communities, followed by adjournment of the joint protocol session.

Transcript Highlights:

• A burden, which is entirely unique to the legislative branch, which is supposed to serve as an equal
• H.J.R. 5 makes leadership accessible to all New Mexicans, not just those who can afford to serve without
• I rely on my per diem to pay for me to travel, to get to things, to be educated as a legislator, and
• so it remains, and we need to continue to work with our colleges of education and our districts.
• Thank you to our Senate pro tem and to Representative... I think, Chair of the Education...

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They are the most accessible pathway to education, economic opportunity, and a better quality of life
• , and I'm elected officials, so I have to represent and try to open access for our folks.
• tried to educate ourselves on this.
• have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed.
• Families have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• applied to their university education.
• > of</c> education which is open to a lot of education which is open to a lot of different<00:33:54.720
• We have some other teacher education-related programs that I want to just bring to your attention.
• So even though education has been added to the Top Five list, even if somebody wanted to statutorily,
• So many states are trying to education.

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were going to hold the government accountable under these laws, it's equally essential that we
• I'll turn it over to our colleague, Senator Middleton, to explain the measure. some votes and education
• In 2012, in Toronto, a man dressed as a woman claiming to be transgender gained access to multiple...
• right everyone has to access equal treatment under the law.
• People deserve access to bathrooms.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , and workforce leaders to ensure students have access to great schools, excellent educators, and strong
• We want to be sure they have access to a world-class public education.
• Our students are busy. adults who have chosen to return to school to pursue their education while balancing
• Education has been important to me.
• Each public agency must ensure that the child's IEP is accessible to each regular education teacher,

Bills: SB451 , SB762 , SB1490 , SB1262 , SB1459 , SB1750 , SB1962 , SB2252 , SB2253 , SB2365

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want every citizen to have an equal voice? Do you want to have equality for all citizens?
• We need to ensure we have a pipeline of educated and trained employees to serve those industries, as
• have access to the resources and representation they need.
• education to economic matters. ...relief.
• equal protection of all citizens to have a voice. voice.

Transcript Highlights:

• education, and transfer students lacking access to standalone preparatory coursework, we must do something
• education system is designed to do.
• All students will face many financial decisions, and having access to this education in high school will
• it allows for students to have more access to what may be of interest to them.
• making sure that students have access to financial planning education and that they're able to take

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Should men with aophilia be given access Should men with aophilia be given access to<00:42:43.920
• to to um to though is that in order to to um to satisfy<01:02:01.680><c> equal</c><01:02:02.000><c> protection
• First of all, the law serves to educate in this issue.
• </c><01:59:19.440><c> educate</c> First of all, the law serves to educate First of all, the law serves
• to educate in<01:59:20.560><c> this</c><01:59:21.440><c> issue.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• WELL, NOT ALL PARENTS HAVE ACCESS TO DIAGNOSIS BY AGE 8.
• THIS BILL WOULD LIMIT ACCESS TO CARE.
• WHEN WE SOUGHT LEGAL HELP WE WERE STUNNED TO LEARNED THAT FLORIDA LAW DENIES OUR FAMILY ACCESS TO THE
• EQUAL RIGHTS ARE RESTORED TO PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT THEY STILL CLAIM RESTORING THESE EQUAL RIGHTS AND EQUAL
• BUT NOWHERE IN THE CURRENT LAW IS ACCESS TO THE BOARDS DENIED.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must do everything in our power to ensure equality for everyone, to uplift the heroism and strength
• in solidarity to keep fighting for equality and justice.
• Hard-won access to health care for the TGI community.
• tide and be able to put us on a pathway for marriage equality.
• be our pathway to break through these moments and to be able to create a more just and equal future

Transcript Highlights:

• access to developing opportunities?
• </c> need access to food and especially need access to food and especially locally<00:25:39.440><c> grown
• be a little more equal to the two sides than it was last year.
• be a little more equal to the two sides than it was last year.
• than</c> little more equal to the two sides than little more equal to the two sides than it<00:31:49.080

Bills: HF1704 , HF2052

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:57.840><c> to</c> access to information not available to access to information not available
• since</c> access to health insurance since access to health insurance since President<02:34:30.319><c
• to accessing quality health challenges to accessing quality health care,<04:34:01.600><c> including<
• </c> critical access to care is, especially critical access to care is, especially in<04:38:09.359><c
• access to the care small town, you have access to the care you<04:38:50.959><c> need.

Transcript Highlights:

• + youth and expand access to mental health resources.
• plus youth and expand access to mental health resources.
• to access.
• to access.
• , indicating significant barriers to access and engagement.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• to support education funding.
• K-12 to higher education.
• It's our shared goal that Washingtonians will have equitable access to postsecondary education as the
• ..going transition or transformation of our system to expand to competency-based education.
• As you know, the board strongly supports expanded opportunities for access to competency-based education

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several education bills. SB 6078 would provide pre-licensing supports for prospective child care providers through DCYF, fire protection consultations, and a licensing resource guide; the sponsor, DCYF, and a community nonprofit all supported it, emphasizing that it would reduce fragmented permitting barriers and help expand child care access, while a senator raised the possibility of overlap with existing early learning facilities support. SB 6089 would create a public-private partnership account to support coordination across the P-20W system and fund a public-facing data dashboard; the sponsor and many advocates supported it as a way to align early learning through workforce systems and improve transparency, while some testifiers urged stronger public oversight, caution about private influence, and explicit inclusion of early learning. SB 5859 would expand competency-based assessments as graduation pathway options; supporters said it would better reflect how students learn and provide flexibility, while the State Board of Education and school principals urged caution and suggested waiting for the board’s broader Future Ready graduation review. SB 5861 would require more school board directors to be elected from director districts in larger districts; supporters said it would improve community representation, while some districts and WSSDA warned about local control, added costs, and governance disruption. SB 6065 would allow districts in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds for temporary loans or transfers with OSPI approval; supporters said it could help districts recover financially without harming transportation needs. After the hearings, the committee moved into executive session and acted on two bills. It adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5956, which restricts certain automated decision systems, surveillance technologies, biometric data, and facial recognition uses in student discipline and school safety decisions, and then advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute to SB 5901, which concerns state funding for on-base school construction, and advanced that bill with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means. Both measures were reported out subject to signatures.