Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for supporting all of that.
• They might be looking for some support for their kids.
• I fully support Senator Wiener's budget proposal, and I respectfully request your support for fair housing
• We respectfully urge your support on this budget. Thank you.
• As a lender for the development of supportive housing, we'd like to express support for streamlining

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the Governor’s housing reorganization proposal and trailer bill language that would consolidate several affordable housing finance programs under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC). Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplication, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits so projects can move from award to construction more quickly. The proposal would also shift some positions and reallocate portions of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program and other housing funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the concept has merit but raised concerns about the proposed bond set-aside floor and recommended more flexibility and earlier reallocation of unused bonds. Several senators questioned the structure and, especially, the proposed changes to the climate-related ASIC program, arguing that it could weaken the program’s original transportation-and-housing integration and that the budget lacks enough direct funding for core housing production programs. The item was held open. The committee then received an update from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal tax credit changes and state housing finance tools. Staff explained that federal H.R. 1 increased the 9% low-income housing tax credit allocation and reduced the bond-financing threshold for the 4% credit from 50% to 25%, allowing California to finance many more projects. They reported that emergency regulations were adopted quickly to implement the new federal rules, resulting in awards for 195 projects and more than 25,000 units in the 4% program, while the 9% program funded 58 projects and nearly 3,000 units. Members discussed the importance of state enhanced low-income housing tax credits, with committee questions focused on how much additional leverage state credits provide and how they help fill remaining financing gaps. The final portion of the hearing focused on the Civil Rights Department’s response to federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing the end of limited-term funding: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal civil rights enforcement has been weakened by closed offices, shuttered programs, and reduced support for fair housing organizations, while CRD’s open caseload has grown from about 8,700 to more than 12,000 matters. He said the department is using overtime, triage, and process reengineering to manage the surge and to direct people to the right services. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern that California is being asked to do more with less as federal protections erode. No votes were taken on the informational items, and the committee discussed the vote-only budget requests for CRD separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would ask that you support the amendment.
• Concept and a policy that I support.
• I am certainly a supporter of the approach.
• A yes or a green vote supports the ruling of the Speaker.
• He's a construction worker. So what did he do?

Transcript Highlights:

• your support passing this bill.
• And I do believe it will ultimately make this process easier on election workers.
• And I do believe it will ultimately make this process easier on election workers.
• I support SB 505, a crucial piece of legislation.
• So it's like anybody working in elections, including poll workers, any poll worker at any time does anything

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills. SB 447 would let the City of Mission in Hidalgo County permanently move its municipal elections from May to the uniform November election date if it chooses. The bill was described as permissive and intended to increase turnout and reduce costs. Mission’s mayor testified in support, saying voters had already approved the change by a wide margin in a charter amendment election. The bill was left pending after no objection. SB 2217 focused on standardizing election data reporting and reconciliation across counties to improve transparency and comparability. Testimony was generally supportive of the goal, but Dr. Laura Presley and others flagged technical issues, including a discrepancy between a three-ballot mismatch threshold in existing law and a 1% threshold in part of the bill, plus a definition issue involving central accumulators. Supporters said consistent auditing and reconciliation would help election integrity, while the bill was also left pending. The committee then took up SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period that would combine early voting and Election Day into one uninterrupted process, with precinct consolidation and other changes. Supporters said it could simplify administration, reduce equipment changes, and improve security by using one set of machines. Opponents and neutral witnesses raised concerns about cost, staffing, ballot security, reporting changes, weekend voting, and whether the bill was ready for implementation; several urged a pilot or study instead. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. SB 505 would create a process for election workers, candidates, party officials, and measure proponents or opponents to request explanations of election irregularities, with escalation to the Secretary of State for audit or enforcement if responses were unsatisfactory. Supporters said it would provide a way to resolve irregularities and restore confidence, while opponents argued it was too broad, lacked guardrails against abuse, and could be used by partisan actors to pressure counties. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 311 would expand Texas’s online voter registration system to first-time registrants and others, with supporters citing efficiency, lower costs, and broader access, and opponents raising concerns about signature verification and implementation details. Testimony was cut short because of the session deadline, and the bill had not been disposed of in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You definitely have my full support and whatever we can do to support you as this moves forward.
• Behind every one of these potential cuts is a worker, and behind every worker is a family.
• Please support BLF. Thank you. Please support BLF. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• So we will be providing support.
• So we will be providing support.

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.

Transcript Highlights:

• see some economic benefit as well from having all those workers come to their county.
• Those workers come to their county.
• Workers, there's classrooms, and there's space for them to actually get outside.
• Correctional Complex, which will include support buildings.
• We could provide support for security on the campus during that time.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These workers range from nurses at Northwest Medical Center in St.
• They're here today pushing for strengthening workers' rights, lifting the ban on striking for higher
• education workers, and building a health care system that puts care ahead of profit.
• pushing for strengthening workers pushing for strengthening workers rights,<00:08:10.879> lifting
• So I hope you will support the against.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a devotional performance by the State House Singers in honor of John Gilmour, followed by the introduction and first reading of House Bill 917 on military affairs and House Bill 918 on school district board membership. HB 917 was referred to Ways and Means because it affected municipal revenue, HB 918 was referred to Education, and HB 549, already on the notice calendar, was also referred to Ways and Means because it affected state revenue. The chamber also received HB 841 from the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs and referred it to Ways and Means pending notice-calendar entry. The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 42 condemning the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine and their impact on Ukrainian children; it was read by title only and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. During announcements, members welcomed AFT Vermont guests advocating for stronger workers’ rights, including lifting the ban on striking for higher education workers, and noted an upcoming caucus on Vermont’s economy with speakers from the Vermont Small Business Development Center and the State Sustainable Jobs Fund. On the action calendar, the House postponed action for two legislative days on HB 205, relating to agreements not to compete, and HB 635, relating to eliminating Department of Correction supervisory fees. It passed HB 566, which seals post-charge court diversion records upon successful completion. The House then adopted the conference committee report on HB 790, the fiscal year 2026 budget adjustments bill. The report’s changes included increasing funding for the Vermont Center for Independent Living, revising Section 8 housing-related language to address possible federal funding changes, updating developmental disabilities services payment reform language and deadlines, and expanding allowable uses of the $50 million set aside for federal funds changes to include municipal support. The House adjourned until Friday, February 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Metal steel workers' apprenticeship in my district, and I think it would fit.
• Senate Bill 1937 is the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers' Act.
• Responsible labor practices that protect worker privacy and choice.
• I've been fully supportive of those measures all along the way.
• So, with that, I ask for your support today. Clerk, please call the roll.

Bills: SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, probation, credits, educational advancement, Oklahoma Statutes, criminal justice reform, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, labor organization, incentives, employer practices, union neutrality, worker rights

Transcript Highlights:

• support.
• support.
• support.
• The National Association of Social Workers, California chapter, in strong support.
• Bindon McComla with the National Association of Social Workers, California chapter, in strong support

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard and advanced a series of bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to run homeless response multidisciplinary teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, while no opposition testified. SB 902 would permit electronic signatures for Child Care and Development Services Act paperwork, with supporters describing the burden of paper processes on working families and noting that paper would remain an option. Both bills were referred onward after committee action. The committee also approved SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability; SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule; and SB 1077, requiring CDSS to develop a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns. Testimony on these measures emphasized fragmented food assistance systems, the need to modernize outdated welfare rules, and the importance of preparing for future federal benefit interruptions. Each bill drew broad support from advocates, local governments, and social service organizations, with no opposition testimony, and each received a due-pass recommendation to the next committee. The committee further advanced SB 1194, which would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand access to immigration legal services in underserved regions, and SB 1201, which would seek federal waivers and other protections to help veterans affected by CalFresh changes and connect applicants with county veterans service officers. Supporters said both bills would fill critical service gaps and strengthen legal and food-security infrastructure. SB 1194 received a 6-1 vote, while SB 1201 passed unanimously. Earlier in the hearing, SB 557 and SB 1051 were approved on consent. The committee then adjourned after recording final roll calls for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• You shouldn't have to have a lobbyist to get public support for farming; you should have the public support
• I would ask for your support.
• Supporting small farmers and laborers in agriculture is really key to supporting resilient communities
• I do support this bill.
• I also support the free market.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in support of this.
• is for support.
• this is for support.
• This is support. Thank you.
• It is widely supported by California voters. They agree that supported by California voters.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• workers per job opening in California. workers per job opening in California.
• I rise in support<03:27:51.040> of<03:27:51.279> HR7971, support of HR7971, support of
• I do rise in support of my Supporting Early Childhood Educators Deductions Act.
• year in total child support payments. year in total child support payments.
• receive the support that they need. receive the support that they need.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuition-free college for young people, paid time off for workers.
• Trump and the Republican for workers.
• lose health care and food support lose health care and food support because<00:03:46.560> of<
• Uh that she supported his Medicaid cuts.
• Workers staying home, businesses months?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fewer workers. fewer workers.
• fewer workers.
• We need more workers fewer workers.
• one of Kentucky's largest employers. inflationary support, just as all of our inflationary support,
• We appreciate your support.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I come before you to request your support of SB 62.
• I have it here waving in support. Is that correct? Yes, sir. Okay, thank you very much.
• I understand that elections workers are not elected themselves.
• I'm here to strongly urge you to open it and read the supporting documentation yourselves.
• I'm here to strongly urge you to open it and read the supporting documentation yourselves.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 62 by Senator Errington, which would create an enforceable requirement that partisan candidates meet the 365-day party affiliation or no-party registration requirement before qualifying. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law, heard no opposition, and then approved the bill. The committee also approved a slate of 15 gubernatorial nominees en bloc and recommended them to the floor. The Florida Supervisors of Elections presented their 2026 legislative priorities. Their requests included automatically updating voter records when DHSMV changes driver license numbers, treating verified petition signing by inactive voters as voter activity that restores active status, adding election equipment and ballots to the state’s critical infrastructure protections, clarifying public-records treatment of election worker names and addresses, allowing more flexibility for early voting sites when a supervisor’s office is not suitable, eliminating the need for provisional-ballot envelopes when polling hours are extended by emergency order, and allowing vote-by-mail voters to remain on the list for the next general election unless they opt out. Senators asked questions about inactive voter status, security implications, early voting site requirements, and vote-by-mail renewal, and several members expressed support or interest in the supervisors’ proposals. During public testimony, several speakers urged stronger election-integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, tighter chain-of-custody controls, more hand-counting or manual audits, quarterly list maintenance, and reduced reliance on vote-by-mail and voting machines. They also criticized current audit systems and cited outside reports and research they said showed vulnerabilities in Florida’s election process. No additional committee action was taken after public testimony, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my concern is the safety of the workers there.
• That's also where this would be very supportive and helpful.
• Thanks to your support, we've gone from a staff size of 1 to 5.
• They are solely there to support the court.
• So, one of those mandated professionals is a worker from DHS.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many provisions in this bill that we support.
• We also support.
• For your consideration, I urge you to support the Farm to Food Shelf Program.
• There's a lot of good for workers in this bill too, and because of that, I am going to support it.
• I need to direct nonpartisan support.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• that the workers were there?
• . saying there was a worker.
• workers were there? workers were there?
• worker was there, I got a problem. worker was there, I got a problem.
• that worker was there and they weren't. that worker was there and they weren't.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the C-TAC scoring criteria for farm worker housing.
• Anyone else here in support of this bill? Any opposition? I don't think so.
• You know, this, well, first of all, I support the bill.
• So supporting this bill today, I will support it, but it is going to be incumbent on...
• Supporting this bill today, I will support it, but it is going to be incumbent upon this body to really

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. AB 2270, by Assembly Member Arambula, would create scoring parity for farmworker housing projects in the state low-income housing tax credit program, with supporters arguing that rural farmworker developments are unfairly disadvantaged because they must be located near agricultural jobs rather than urban amenities. The committee accepted amendments and moved the bill forward on a unanimous vote to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, by Assembly Member Lee, which would clarify how a CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation program tied to affordable housing near transit may be used. Supporters said the bill would preserve cost-effectiveness and guard against litigation, while opponents from Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others warned that the amended bill could undermine the new statewide VMT mitigation bank before it is fully implemented by making cost the key trigger for use. After discussion about balancing environmental and housing goals, the bill passed to Appropriations on an 11-1 vote. AB 2689, also by Assembly Member Lee, would establish good-cause renewal protections for tenants in state-subsidized housing whose incomes rise above 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, while requiring notice and limiting displacement if tenants cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units for lower-income households, while others objected that it could punish people for improving their financial situation. The committee approved the bill as amended on an 11-1 vote. The committee also approved three consent items—AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512—without discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to testify in support of S. 2376 and S. 2377.
• Thank you, and I ask for your support of these bills. Thank you, Senator. Appreciate it.
• Thank you for hearing my testimony in strong support of S. 2395.
• Half the select boards wrote letters of support for this.
• I urge you to support Senate Bill 2395 in support of term limits for the Steamship Authority Board.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a range of bills focused on transportation funding, governance, and equity. Supporters backed proposals to create a North Central Massachusetts intercity passenger rail fund tied to a possible new gaming license (H. 3680/S. 2363), local parking assessments (H. 3756), third-party delivery fees (S. 2356/H. 3774), broader roadway pricing and congestion management measures (S. 2353/S. 2354), tolling equity and regional transit authority advisory boards (S. 2400/S. 2401), and Steamship Authority oversight reforms including board term limits (S. 2395). Testimony in favor emphasized new dedicated revenue sources, commuter rail expansion, regional equity, improved oversight, and better transit access for riders and communities that rely on public transportation. There was also testimony in opposition to the third-party delivery fee bills from Chamber of Progress, which argued the fee would raise costs for consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers, could reduce demand and jobs, and might not achieve the intended environmental benefits. Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts opposed H. 3633, a transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency bill, specifically objecting to its mandatory project labor agreement requirement and saying it would limit competition and disadvantage non-union contractors and workers. Several witnesses spoke in favor of the Steamship Authority bill, saying term limits would improve transparency, accountability, and board turnover. The committee also heard detailed support for the North Central rail proposal from a legislator, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and a transportation advocate, who described the bill as a way to generate long-term bonded revenue for rail infrastructure. After testimony concluded and no questions remained, the chairs entertained and received a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support that motion.
• I'd appreciate your support.
• , we hired additional workers.
• Social workers provide a much broader range of services, and all of that is directed at supporting clients
• We want it to have more support, more state support.

Keywords: 985, all