Transcript Highlights:

• Stevens High School, our only public high school, because otherwise the high school would lose its accreditation
• Stevens High School, our only public high school, because otherwise the high school would lose its accreditation
• emphasize the early statement you made that Claremont was in jeopardy of losing the high school accreditation
• emphasize the early statement you made that Claremont was in jeopardy of losing the high school accreditation
• emphasize the early statement you made that Claremont was in jeopardy of losing the high school accreditation

Summary: The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded. Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise. Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1192 by Senator Rubio and accredited domestic violence.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through motions and daily file items. Senator Ashby moved AB 2352 to the inactive file and AB 775 off the consent calendar. The body then considered a long series of concurrence and third-reading measures, with most receiving broad support and passing on largely party-line or unanimous votes. Among the major bills discussed were SB 1192 on domestic violence-related relief, SB 1263 on professions and vocations, SB 872 on water infrastructure and levee/subsidence issues, SB 934 on protecting LGBTQ people from conversion therapy, SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public comment rules, AB 1573 on housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, AB 52 on farmer equity, AB 1758 on travel seller restitution fees, AB 1544 on court transparency, AB 1738 on virtual inspections for simple home work, AB 1820 on EV charger permit fees, AB 2150 on naloxone training for CPR-certified employees, AB 2274 on limiting secrecy in non-prosecution agreements for traffickers and child molesters, AB 2674 on public access to landfill monitoring data, AB 2010 on high-volume spay/neuter procedures, AB 1793 on cash rounding after the penny’s discontinuation, AB 1818 on CSU bargaining procedures, AB 1655 on CalWORKs support when children are detained by ICE, AB 1743 on firearm trace data sharing, and AB 2011 on preserving mental health parity enforcement. Members speaking in support emphasized consumer protection, transparency, public health, housing, labor rights, and equity; opposition was limited and appeared on a few measures such as AB 1743 and AB 1818. Votes were recorded on each item, with many measures passing unanimously or by wide margins. Notable roll calls included concurrence on SB 1192 (30-0), SB 1263 (36-0), SB 872 (37-0), SB 934 (27-9), SB 1159 (37-0), and AB 2010 and AB 2150 by unanimous roll call. Several Assembly bills also passed with recorded opposition, including AB 52, AB 1758, AB 1820, AB 1793, AB 1818, AB 1655, AB 1743, and AB 2011. The session ended by returning to motions and consent calendars, where SCR 193 and a large slate of consent items were taken up, with SCR 193 granted reconsideration and the desk noting additional requests from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• CVSOs help bridge that gap, providing culturally competent, accredited assistance that connects veterans

Summary: The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee met and considered several measures, with most of the discussion focused on veterans’ access to food assistance, overseas voting, and veteran mental health research. SB 1201, the “No Hungry Heroes Act,” would seek federal waivers to protect certain veterans from CalFresh time limits and require referrals to county veteran service officers; supporters said federal SNAP cuts are leaving vulnerable veterans at risk of hunger, while no opposition testified. Members spoke strongly in favor, emphasizing the need to support service members and their families. SB 970 addressed ballot access for military and overseas voters after the federal DOD fax service was discontinued. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations for a secure ballot return method. County election officials and veterans groups supported the measure, while the Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised concerns about cybersecurity and urged a more deliberate process, including a possible task force. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 970 and send it to Appropriations. SB 1224 proposed a California Emerging Therapies Research Partnership to help the state compete for federal research funding for alternative therapies, including treatments relevant to PTSD, depression, and substance use among veterans. Veterans advocates described the bill as a way to expand options for those not helped by traditional treatment, and the author noted amendments to address conflicts of interest and administrative issues. The committee approved the bill and referred it to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including HR 120, SB 892, SB 1188, SJR 14, and SJR 17, and later voted SB 1201 and SB 970 out of committee as well. Overall, the meeting reflected broad bipartisan support for veteran-focused measures, with the main policy debate centered on how to balance access and security in overseas voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• CVSOs help bridge that gap, providing culturally competent, accredited assistance that connects veterans

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 928 will likely result in more work for immigration attorneys and accredited representatives to investigate

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with AB 928 on cockfighting drawing the most extensive debate. The author and supporters said the bill targets large-scale illegal trafficking of fighting birds by creating civil penalties for properties with more than 25 individually tethered or caged roosters, while exempting legitimate poultry, hobby, educational, and religious operations. Supporters, including animal control and veterinary witnesses, described cockfighting investigations and the burdens on local agencies. Opponents argued the measure could profile immigrant, rural, Latino, Asian, and Hmong communities and create unnecessary law enforcement and immigration consequences. After questions about exemptions, enforcement, and local ordinances, the committee approved the bill on a due pass motion, with some no votes and the bill placed on call. The committee also advanced AB 1199, which would align California hospital credentialing law with federal standards by allowing recredentialing and reappointment of medical staff every three years instead of every two. Supporters from the California Hospital Association said the change would reduce administrative burden while preserving patient safety oversight. The bill passed unanimously and was placed on call. AB 2537, a cannabis enforcement bill, was presented as a way to prioritize Department of Cannabis Control resources toward the most serious public health and safety violations rather than technical infractions. Supporters said it would improve enforcement efficiency without weakening authority; members asked about rulemaking and whether the bill focused on the legal market. The committee passed the measure on a due pass motion, with the bill also placed on call. AB 1349, dealing with speculative ticketing, would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them for resale. Supporters from independent venues and the music industry said speculative ticketing deceives consumers and harms artists and small venues, while opponents warned about effects on the secondary market and ongoing antitrust litigation. After late amendments and additional discussion, the committee moved the bill forward on a due pass motion, placing it on call. The committee also heard AB 1693 on speeding retail tenant-improvement permits through a qualified professional certifier process and shorter local review deadlines; members questioned whether the bill allowed self-certification, and the author said the city would still review the plans. That bill passed and was placed on call. Later, AB 1826, a cannabis due-process bill requiring more timely disclosure and procedures when products are embargoed or recalled, also passed after discussion about giving businesses a meaningful chance to respond. AB 2166, a factory-built housing bill creating a state financial backstop to help modular housing factories obtain insurance and stay in business, advanced despite concerns about whether the market risk was too high for state involvement. Finally, AB 2667 on deceptive vape products began testimony, with the author describing youth vaping and devices disguised as everyday items, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2947 would allow clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill

Summary: The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1. Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0. The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there's national accrediting standards as far as recommendations for quality of care, and so

Bills: HB1979 , HB1225 , HB3931 , HB4454 , HB3849 , HB1746 , HB3720 , HB4275 , HB4300 , HB3586 , HB2268 , HB3755 , HB4117 , HB4294 , HB3650 , HB4298

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered the nomination of Christy D. Fisher to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Senator Stanridge presented her as a lay member with legal and paralegal experience, and Fisher spoke about her family’s experience with speech therapy and autism-related speech needs. After brief questions, the committee advanced the nomination on an 8-2 vote. The committee then heard several bills, including measures creating an Early Childhood Task Force (HB 1979), clarifying that Oklahoma has always prohibited sex-to-gender-identity amendments on birth certificates (HB 1225), and establishing a process for correcting death certificates after one year (HB 3931). Members also advanced a bill restricting edible medical marijuana products from being attractive to children (HB 4454), updating the mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents (HB 3849), and allowing juvenile safety plans to take effect if not acted on within 24 hours (HB 1746). Other bills addressed local food sales thresholds (HB 3720), allowing case managers and peer support specialists to work for cities and counties (HB 4275), DHS background-check and email-notice updates for child care centers (HB 4300), and a clarification that raising a child consistent with biological sex is not child abuse and that adoption cannot be denied solely over refusal to support a gender transition (HB 3586). The committee also advanced bills on Medicaid reimbursement for dementia cognitive assessments and care planning (HB 2268), juvenile detention medication funding (HB 3755), family resource centers including faith-based and workforce organizations (HB 4117), epilepsy insurance coverage protections (HB 4294), extending the managed care rate floor to July 1, 2028 with a carve-out for multi-state contracts (HB 3650), and child care reforms raising subsidy co-pays and directing DHS to set more flexible master-teacher ratios for certain facilities (HB 4298). Several bills were amended or worked from committee substitutes, and most passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with HB 1225, HB 3586, and HB 4294 drawing some opposition. The committee adjourned after noting it would likely meet again later for additional executive nominations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response, LPSD made the decision to count verified accredited school experience that occurred before

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3134 is a bill that is attempting to keep accreditation for our public colleges and universities

Bills: HB1322 , HB2015 , HB2933 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB2977 , HB2981 , HB3040 , HB3055 , HB3062 , HB3087 , HB3115 , HB3134 , HB3244 , HB3297 , HB3298 , HB3299 , HB3304 , HB3319 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB3345 , HB3407 , HB3471 , HB3497 , HB3500 , HB3505 , HB3544 , HB3581 , HB3648 , HB3755 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB3767 , HB3906 , HB3974 , HB3982 , HB4104 , HB4105 , HB4106 , HB4107 , HB4108 , HB4126 , HB4130 , HB4139 , HB4144 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4226 , HB4227 , HB4236 , HB4260 , HB4343

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, landlord, tenant rights, rental agreement, housing safety, tenant protections, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Anthony's Hospital Association, this is also a federal grant, and this is also for more help in accrediting

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• people are already going to accounting on it for information, and we will, of course, continue that accreditation

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike other MAT options, methadone requires specific certification and accreditation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to have an accredited veterinarian come and sign the paperwork that they've gone and visually

Bills: HB509

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: HB509, game breeder, game breeder license, cervid, deer breeder, whitetail deer, elk, fallow deer, deer farm, captive deer, cervidae, wildlife disease, disease testing, antemortem testing, state veterinarian, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, property rights, private property, animal transfer, breeding stock

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes formal partnerships between nationally accredited community health providers, law enforcement

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to children, families, elder affairs, mental health, disability services, and child care. SB 1050 on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities was amended and reported favorably after discussion of expanding the voluntary IDD managed care pilot statewide, improving transparency on the APD wait list, creating a statewide family care council, addressing transition services for youth leaving foster care, and seeking federal approval for an adult pathways waiver. Testimony from providers and a parent emphasized workforce capacity, county-level identification of clients, Medicaid delays, and the importance of keeping the pilot voluntary; the bill passed with support and some discussion about possible future clarifications on services and Medicaid eligibility. The committee also passed SB 1310, which directs OPPAGA to evaluate student mental health outcomes tied to school mental health assistance funding, and members discussed the need for better data, coordination with managing entities, and avoiding duplication of services. SB 976 on court-appointed social investigators was amended and approved, with the sponsor describing due process protections and fee-shifting provisions for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists. SB 886, creating a crisis care coordination team pilot in Volusia and Polk counties to reduce Baker Act recidivism and improve follow-up care, was reported favorably after the sponsor described its law enforcement and community provider partnerships and an independent evaluation requirement. Later, SB 614 on child care facility and program background screening requirements was amended and passed; the bill requires a public educational webpage explaining Level 2 screening, the clearinghouse, disqualifying offenses, exemptions, and related job listings and timelines. Finally, SB 276 on sheltering or aiding unmarried minors was approved; it increases the offense from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, creates a presumption regarding knowledge of the minor’s age, and adds a defense when the conduct was necessary to protect the minor from danger. All bills considered were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• substance abuse and mental health statute and establishes formal partnerships between nationally accredited

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. HB 1013, relating to crisis care coordination, would create a pilot program in Polk and Volusia counties to connect people who have had Baker Act-related crises with follow-up counseling, assessments, and outpatient services through partnerships between law enforcement and community providers. The sponsor said the program has reduced repeat Baker Act commitments in Polk County, and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment moving the pilot to a different statute, formalizing partnerships, and requiring an independent DCF evaluation due in January 2029. The bill drew support from mental health and justice advocates and passed unanimously. The committee then heard PCS for HB 511, which addresses child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses. Sponsors and several parents, attorneys, and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially treated as abuse but later linked to conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, metabolic bone disease, or other medical fragility. They argued the bill would require notice of the right to a second medical opinion, better consideration of preexisting conditions and medical records, and more coordination before reports are sent to law enforcement, while still preserving protections for abused children. Members expressed sympathy for the families and emphasized the need for fairness and accurate medical review; the bill passed 17-0. Finally, HB 1439, based on recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, was presented as a broader mental health and substance use disorder measure focused on crisis response, access to care, and workforce development. An amendment aligned the bill more closely with commission recommendations, including assessment tools, trauma-informed practices, school-based behavioral health access, telehealth, discharge planning, and long-acting injectable treatment access. The commission chair testified that the bill reflected a vetted set of recommendations from subject matter experts and commissioners, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• previous version of your bill... ...follow the previous version of your bill, the last version where accredited

Bills: HB194 , SB87 , SB237

Committee: Senate Healthcare

Keywords: healthcare, advanced practice nursing, nurse collaboration, medical board, nursing board, committee structure, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, hemp, hemp beverages, psychoactive cannabinoids, psychoactive hemp products, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC

Transcript Highlights:

• clinicians, and training standards and norms that they have gone through, professional organization, accreditation
• approach here to try to make sure that the overall interest of public policy can, in conjunction with accreditation

Summary: The committee heard AB 1979, which would limit the use of AI in health care by requiring licensed professionals to retain final clinical judgment, prohibiting automated systems from directing unlicensed individuals to perform licensed clinical functions, and clarifying medical-record privacy rules for direct-to-consumer health chatbots. Supporters, including nurses and labor groups, said the bill preserves patient safety and keeps care decisions in human hands. Hospital and industry groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could create compliance burdens and interfere with training and legitimate AI-assisted care. The bill was approved 6-1 and placed on call. Members then considered AB 2624, which would expand California’s Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers facing harassment or doxing. The author and supporters described threats, stalking, and online targeting of immigrant advocates and said the bill would let them use substitute addresses to protect their safety. Opposition focused mainly on concerns about the bill’s legal enforcement language, though the author said it mirrors existing Safe at Home provisions and does not create a new private right of action. The measure passed 4-1 and was placed on call. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program. The author and the Office of Data and Innovation said it is meant to broaden civic participation through structured deliberation and transparent publication of results. Some members raised concerns about partisan balance and topic selection, while supporters emphasized the need to reach Californians who do not typically participate in hearings. The bill passed 6-0 and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2, a social media accountability bill for harms to children and teens, and AB 883, which would expand privacy protections and shorten data-broker deletion timelines for elected officials and judges; both drew support and opposition, were approved on committee votes, and placed on call. Later, the committee began AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, and limits on ads and data sharing; testimony was strongly supportive from child-safety advocates, while industry groups raised concerns about vague standards, audits, and liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• clinicians, and training standards and norms that they have gone through, professional organization, accreditation
• approach here to try to make sure that the overall interest of public policy can, in conjunction with accreditation

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate bill that affect student access to state universities, eligibility for financial aid, and accreditation
• Senate bill that affect student access to state universities, eligibility for financial aid, and accreditation

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions and recognitions, then moved to messages from the House and special order business. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations, CS for CS for HB 1389 on affordable housing/Live Local, and CS for CS for HB 1451 on utility services. Senators asked about the naming of roadways, the Live Local changes for religious institution property and the removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and utility surcharge phase-out and reporting dates. All three measures were concurred in and passed, with votes of 31-4 on SB 628, 35-0 on HB 1389, and 30-6 on HB 1451. The Senate then considered the education package, substituting CS for CS for HB 1279 for CS for CS for SB 7038. An amendment combining provisions from several education bills was adopted, and the bill passed 36-1. The chamber also took up CS for CS for SB 484 on data centers, where the House amendment removed the Senate’s NDA prohibition, kept a 12-month limit on public-records confidentiality, added a PSC tariff filing deadline, and required an OPAGA study. Senators debated transparency, local notice, and ratepayer protections; supporters emphasized that data center energy and infrastructure costs could not be shifted to other ratepayers. The House amendment was concurred in and the bill passed 31-6. After a recess, the Senate returned to the land use and development regulations bill, substituting CS for CS for CS for HB 399 for SB 208. A proposed amendment to remove language affecting a Miami Beach Fontainebleau Hotel water park project failed, while other amendments were adopted, including a sunset provision and changes related to compost-processing facilities. The chamber then adopted an amendment preserving Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority requirement and related protections, with support framed around water, flood risk, farmland, and the Everglades. Finally, the Senate began debate on a broader amendment by Senator Martin creating a process for rural boundary property owners to seek removal or compensation without litigation; the discussion focused on property rights, county liability, and whether the proposal would affect Orange and Seminole counties, but the transcript ends before final action on that amendment.