Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I rise in strong support of
• On behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I rise in strong support of
• Today, many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are experiencing renewed fear and
• Many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are experiencing renewed fear and discrimination
• On behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I respectfully ask for an aye

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call, then proceeded with prayer, the pledge, and routine motions. Members approved several procedural requests, including moving AB 362 to the inactive file and allowing the Natural Resources Committee to hear AB 34 on January 16. The chamber also recognized guests and paid tribute to retiring Republican caucus consultant Daryl Thomas, with remarks from multiple members praising his long service and legal analysis work. The main floor action centered on ACR 116, a resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members from several caucuses and both parties spoke in support, emphasizing King’s legacy of civil rights, economic justice, nonviolence, and unfinished work. After opening the roll for coauthors, the resolution received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly then took up ACR 118, recognizing Korean American Day; members highlighted Korean American history, community contributions, solidarity with other communities, and the significance of Koreatown and Korean American civic life. That resolution also received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The consent calendar was then adopted on a 64-0 vote, including ACR 115 on National Blood Donor Month. The chamber also held an adjournment in memory for former legislator David Kelly, with a tribute to his military service, agricultural background, and legislative work on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Assembly announced the upcoming Martin Luther King Day recess and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise on behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus in strong support of ACR
• The anti-Asian laws in the early 1900s The anti-Asian laws in the early 1900s prevented Asian Americans
• Despite these structural and systemic barriers, the Asian American and Native American communities continue
• Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American and Pacific Islander community in California
• , and I'm proud to represent a district that... ...Asian American and Pacific Islander community in California

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American song and prayer by Assemblymember Ramos, observed a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, and then handled a series of procedural motions, including removing several items from consent, rescinding prior action on SB 626, returning AB 643 to the Senate, and placing SB 1294 on the inactive file. The chamber also approved a request to allow an Elections Committee informational hearing on AB 1923. The main floor action centered on ACR 208, recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Ramos and several caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the importance of representation. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 co-authors were added, and the Assembly then held a Native American Day ceremony honoring several tribal leaders and elders with cultural performances and guest introductions. The Assembly also adopted HR 102 recognizing Filipino American History Month after extensive support from multiple caucuses, with members highlighting Filipino American history, labor activism, healthcare, public service, and community contributions; 64 co-authors were added before the voice vote. ACR 213 designating September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month also passed by voice vote after 62 co-authors were added, with testimony focused on pediatric cancer research, treatment access, and personal stories of loss and survival. ACR 230 proclaiming California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighter Memorial Day likewise passed unanimously after 66 co-authors were added, with members citing firefighters’ emergency response work, wildfire service, and occupational health risks. Several concurrence items also passed, including ACR 126 on Captain Vidar Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 on AI disclosure in the bar exam, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 on parental leave protections for local officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is nothing more than a deliberate attack on Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
• I'm here as an Asian-American taxpayer and a resident who is deeply concerned about this miscycle...
• Between 2010 and 2020, the Asian-American population... in Williamson County nearly doubled, growing
• to get an education to chase the American dream.
• Chairman: ...African-Americans or whites or Asians, but I do believe that there will be five districts

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ATJ is a non-profit dedicated to connecting Asian American and Pacific Islanders to civic action.
• We are also spearheading the Asian American Studies core initiative. here in a Texas high school.
• In December of 2022, I graduated with my degree. a degree in ethnic studies, specifically Asian American
• And that reminds me, I need to say this: ethnic studies is American studies — Mexican-American, African-American
• Asian studies is American studies; it is Texas history.

Bills: HB178, HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Transcript Highlights:

• She was also key in co-founding the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus, the oldest Mexican-American
• Further, this bill specifically targets Asian communities.
• There have been many anti-Asian incidents.
• People are seeking the American dream.
• Jason Isaac with the American Energy Institute.

Bills: HB256, HCR19, HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we have our only testifier on the list: Cynthia Al with the American Cancer Society Action Network
• I will note that American Cancer Society was in support, and that was my only testifier on the list.
• grounds of it being supportive of diversity in Hawaiʻi, as well as being economically prosperous for Asian-American-owned
• There's an opportunity to go out and purchase goods from those Asian-American-owned stores, as well as
• it being supportive of the 37.3% of Hawaiʻi's population that is Asian-American, and allowing them to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22. The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it. In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• These numbers are above other populations, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and so on.
• These numbers are above other populations, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and so on.
• These numbers are above other populations, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and so on.
• These numbers are above other populations, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and so on.
• These numbers are above other populations, African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and so on.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 2, 2025, and heard several resolutions focused on student mental health, autism data collection, school heat exposure, and climate change as a public health issue. Testimony on HCR 96/HR 92 supported encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand student mental health services; the University of Hawaii testified in support, and a student speaker said expanded services would make students more likely to seek help. The committee also heard HCR 145/HR 139, which urges state agencies to collaborate on planning for Hawaii’s participation in CDC autism prevalence surveillance; supporters included the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and an autism advocate who said Hawaii needs better local representation in the data. The committee then heard HCR 186/HR 179, requesting a study of heat exposure management in Department of Education and charter schools. The Department of Health and the climate change and health working group supported the measure, citing rising temperatures, heat-related illness risks during outdoor activities, and the value of wet bulb globe temperature standards. Finally, the committee heard HCR 188/HR 182, declaring climate change a public health emergency and calling for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the climate change and health working group, and a Native Hawaiian physician emphasized climate-related health harms such as heat illness, wildfire impacts, chronic disease, and inequities; one member opposed the measure as politicized and said it could dilute attention from other urgent problems. In decision-making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HCR 96/HR 92, HCR 145/HR 139, and HCR 186/HR 179 as is. For HCR 188/HR 182, the committee recommended passage with amendments, specifically a House draft one for technical clarity, consistency, and style. During the vote on the climate emergency resolution, Representatives Elos and Garcia voted no, while the rest of the members present supported the recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As pointed out, Latinos, Asian Americans, and maybe to a lesser extent, African American Blacks have
• Asian Americans like myself are the fastest-growing population in Texas, but we don’t have updated census
• My district is majority Latino, African American, heavy South Asian presence in the Irving area, and
• I represent a partisan organization that connects the 2 million Asian American Pacific Islander Texan
• diverse, with a quarter, 25.8%, of Asians identifying as Filipino, like me, and 19.3% as Asian Indian

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a large percentage of Asian Americans.
• Representative Goodwin, I was aware that there's a large number of Asian Americans and Asians that are
• Many, and the fastest-growing population was Asian Americans.
• Notice I don't say Chinese American. I say Asian American because this will affect us all.
• Asian-American Texans across the state are watching, and they are hoping that we Asian-American Texans

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, nine in ten Americans believe there's too much corporate money in politics, and eight in ten Americans
• Sydney Fong on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Empowerment, APA Force, in support.
• It only covers Spanish, Asian languages, and native languages.
• I'm the executive director of PANA, the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans.
• Including Asian Law Caucus, Legal Defense Fund, and the UCLA Voting Rights Project. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LG is how I used to say it, co-executive director of Asian American Resource Workshop, an organization
• I'm one of the co-executive directors of the Asian American Resource Workshop, or AARW.
• Americans and especially the Southeast Asian community in their organizing against ICE detentions and
• So let me just circle back to the Southeast Asian community because I want to make sure that Asian immigrants
• So for the Asian American Resource Workshop and Luce, I'm really urging the state legislature as well

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on responding to federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts, with opening remarks from Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Bud Williams emphasizing fear in immigrant communities, recent ICE operations, and the need to learn from advocates and affected residents rather than debate individual bills. The hearing was organized around three topics: detention, arrests, and surveillance, with members repeatedly asking what the legislature can do to improve transparency, legal access, and oversight. On detention, Leah Hastings of Prisoners’ Legal Services said most people end up in ICE custody through contact with the criminal legal system and argued that state carceral systems are deeply intertwined with immigration enforcement. She described conditions at Plymouth County House of Correction and Burlington ICE holding as concerning, citing limited medical care, disability accommodations, solitary confinement, retaliatory transfers, and poor attorney access. Hastings said Massachusetts should reduce funding for sheriffs and the Department of Corrections, ban intergovernmental service agreements and 287(g) agreements, and invest instead in housing, treatment, and other community supports. Members also discussed ICE reimbursement, the immigrant legal defense fund, and the need for more immigration attorneys. On arrests and enforcement tactics, David Albright of JALSA said federal immigration enforcement has been expanded by major new funding and incentives, including higher payments for 287(g) and bed contracts, and he noted that most ICE detainees nationally do not have criminal records. He said Massachusetts has one 287(g) agreement with the Department of Corrections and one IGSA with Plymouth County, and that ICE also uses Burlington, Hanscom, and informal local collaboration in places such as Milford and Auburn. Danny Tampona of Neighbor to Neighbor and the LUCE Rapid Response Network described more than 10,000 hotline calls from 46 cities and towns, with arrests often involving masked agents, surveillance of workers and families, traffic stops, broken windows, and arrests at check-ins or schools; he said the network is concentrated in places including Everett, Chelsea, Lynn, New Bedford, Milford, Marlboro, Framingham, and Springfield. He urged legislation requiring clear identification for law enforcement, limits on surveillance technologies, and stronger legal defense resources. On surveillance, Joshua Dancoff of Citizens for Juvenile Justice argued that current state policies allow broad sharing of fingerprints and surveillance data with ICE, including through BRIC, the Massachusetts Fusion Center, and municipal police policies. He cited cases in Chelsea and Everett where children were taken from police custody into ICE custody and said many departments automatically share arrest fingerprints and other information with federal authorities. He recommended limiting fingerprint sharing, restricting surveillance databases and task-force participation, and curbing police and sheriff collaboration with ICE even where no formal 287(g) exists. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for more immigration lawyers, possible bar advocate-style funding for immigration defense, and legislative action to prevent further collaboration and deportation infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. toxic safety, freed Southern California, and Americans for non-smokers rights.
• Jasmine Advocula, with the Cal Asian Chamber, in opposition.
• Jasmine Advocula with the Cal Asian Chamber in opposition. Thank you.
• Kylie Lindelli, on behalf of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, in support.
• Christian Degas, on behalf of the Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement, Asian Americans,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and made commitments to purchase up to 9.6 billion of United States soybean and corn from various American
• Whereas this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander...
• Whereas<00:14:29.680><c> this</c><00:14:29.880><c> year's</c><00:14:30.400><c> Asian</c><00:14:30.880
• ><c> American,</c> Whereas this year's Asian American, Whereas this year's Asian American, Native<00:
• Uh, we celebrate Minnesota's vibrant Taiwanese American community, which has enriched the state's culture

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Founded in 1848, named for Mayor Jacob Brown, a hero of the Mexican-American War, with a rich place in
• The Texas chapter of the American Public Works Association are here in the gallery today.
• wisdom, transformation, and resilience—qualities that reflect the strength and contribution of the Asian-American
• American community in Texas.
• The Asian American community plays an integral role in the economic, cultural, and professional fabric

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the whip of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.
• Houston includes communities of Black families, Latino families, and Asian American families.
• According to AI and Google, it was 95% folks of color, mostly Latinos, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans
• During the American Revolution, our foreparents declared...
• Do they think that Americans are stupid?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the policy director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders
• Americans and Pacific Islanders of proposed legislation.
• Because of these reasons and many others, the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission
• I’m a 54-year-old Brazilian American woman.
• My name is Yen Kay, and I'm an intern at the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again. The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• American community, followed by the Anglo community, followed by the Asian community.
• Asian American and other minority citizens have successfully elected their candidate of choice since
• , and a significant percentage of Asian-American residents.
• And I am with my Latino, African American, Asian, and other minority folks to say I...
• Seats that reflect the voices of Black, Latino, and Asian Texans.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• right here where it belongs in California, the state that has historically been the heartbeat of American
• Jasmine Advocula, with the Cal Asian Chamber, in opposition. Thank you.
• Jasmine Advocula with the Cal Asian Chamber in opposition. Thank you.
• Kylie Lindelli, on behalf of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, in support.
• On behalf of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, Asian Prisoner Support Committee, California Faculty

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills, beginning with AB 760, which would exempt settlement payments tied to the Garden Grove chemical incident from California income tax. The author and a school district trustee described evacuations, school closures, and losses to residents, businesses, students, and staff, arguing the payments should make victims whole rather than be taxed. There was support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, with committee amendments accepted. Members then heard AB 2319, creating a California post-production tax credit for film and television work done in-state, even when principal photography occurred elsewhere or the project did not receive the existing film credit. The author and supporters from the Motion Picture Editors Guild, California Post Alliance, and others said post-production jobs and facilities are leaving California and that the bill would help retain high-wage work; opponents were not present. The committee members generally supported the measure, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2186 followed, excluding future reparations benefits for descendants of formerly enslaved people from state income tax. The author and NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference said taxing such benefits would undermine reparative justice; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0. The committee also heard AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes and add enforcement tools. Supporters, including waste, recycling, local government, and public health groups, said disposable vapes create fire hazards, waste problems, and costs for local agencies; opponents argued the bill would mainly eliminate the legal market while leaving illicit products untouched and urged stronger enforcement instead. The author accepted committee amendments adding CDTFA enforcement, but the bill was not voted on because a motion was pending and members were absent. Later, AB 1519, AB 2172, AB 2222, AB 1793, AB 2089, and AB 1265 were heard and each received support from committee members and passed 2-0 or 3-0 to Appropriations, with amendments accepted where noted. AB 1519 clarified that the 20-year tax collection statute of limitations should not be reset by later fees or penalties; AB 2172 would let large counties use a single assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals; AB 2222 would create a temporary tax credit for local news organizations to retain and hire journalists; AB 1793 would authorize symmetrical cash rounding to the nearest nickel after the federal penny phaseout; AB 2089 would streamline the welfare exemption filing process for affordable housing; and AB 1265 would extend and revise the historic building tax credit to encourage adaptive reuse for housing and mixed-use projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, on behalf of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I am proud to rise in support
• Members, on behalf of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I am proud to rise in support
• As an Asian American woman, I can also tell you this: Women were taught, as young girls, that we stayed
• Ghiha made significant contributions to her community, serving as the Asian American Pacific Island Republic
• and only Vietnamese American district attorney in the country.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then dispensed with the reading of the prior journal and handled routine motions, including re-referring AB 432 and AB 564 to committees. The main item of business was House Resolution 14, proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from the LGBTQ, Native American, Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Jewish, and other caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing women’s historical contributions, ongoing inequities, and the importance of representation and parity in public life. Assemblymember DeMaio also supported the resolution while urging attention to girls’ sports. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 78 coauthors were added. The chamber then held its annual California Women of the Year ceremony, with Aguiar-Curry and other members recognizing honorees from across Assembly districts for leadership in education, health care, public service, advocacy, business, and community work. The lengthy roll call highlighted a broad range of women’s accomplishments and community impact. Guest introductions followed, including Sacramento District Attorney Tien Ho, VSP Vision Care executives celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary, and EMTs and ambulance support staff being honored by the California Ambulance Association. The Assembly also took up the second-day consent calendar, which was adopted 71-0. Assemblymember Schultz then delivered an adjournment in memory of Barbara Beckley, founding member and artistic director emerita of the Colony Theatre Company, praising her contributions to Los Angeles theater and the arts. The House then adjourned until Thursday, March 13 at 9 a.m., with a Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing scheduled upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• resolutions filed by Representatives Chan of Quincy and other members of the House, recognizing the Asian
• American community celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse, on February 17, 2026, ought
• Many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, celebrate the Lunar New Year.
• Many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, celebrate the Lunar New Year as a time
• The House Asian Caucus warmly wishes everyone a happy Lunar New Year. Thank you, Representative.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, received a gubernatorial message recommending legislation to validate certain proceedings of the town of Stowe, and referred that matter to the Committee on Election Laws. The Committee on Rules then reported favorably on a resolution recognizing the Asian American community’s Lunar New Year celebration, and the House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. A member also delivered remarks honoring Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse. The House adopted several orders extending committee reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026, for the Committees on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities; Education; Housing; Labor and Workforce Development; Municipalities and Regional Government; and Revenue. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to be referred: one concerning the sale of parrots and another on consumer protections for low-valued legal tender scarcity. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on veteran property tax workoff amounts, infectious disease-related health impairment, Worcester Regional Retirement System quorum rules, senior property tax exemptions and caps, a Leominster civil service exemption for certain police positions, a Chelmsford bridge naming, and a Groton charter amendment. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered these bills to a third reading, and then passed or engrossed several measures, including bills on Agawam’s charter, an Arlington ballot question on additional alcohol licenses, a Boston police age waiver for Angel G. Rivera, and a Hopdale town administrator bill. The House also adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11 a.m., then adjourned accordingly.