Transcript Highlights:

• And that is crafting a mechanism to, in my view, increase either turnout or registration by, in essence
• Once again, I thank Nicole Becker for your assistance in crafting this bill, making this bill a better

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• And we obviously support that purpose and worked with the Department to craft some language that we thought
• And we obviously support that purpose and worked with the Department to craft some language that we thought

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we are here to do no harm, I've crafted solutions that were rejected.
• </c> here to do no harm, I've crafted here to do no harm, I've crafted solutions<01:47:18.719><c> that
• And it was a well-negotiated, well-crafted piece of language. Is it perfect? Probably not.
• </c><04:03:36.160><c> a</c> legislature has previously crafted a legislature has previously crafted a
• This is a well-thought-out, industry-bipartisan-sponsored bill, carefully crafted with broad industry

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we are crafting policies dealing with AI, but the main thing is you have to have a person
• /c><01:21:59.520><c> are</c> been around uh so you know we are been around uh so you know we are crafting
• policies dealing with AI but crafting policies dealing with AI but the<01:22:02.320><c> main</c><01:
• >> Yeah, just that we've crafted SOPs dealing with those type of investigations or those requests that
• crafted SOPs dealing<01:25:38.080><c> with</c><01:25:38.239><c> those</c><01:25:38.480><c> type</c><

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• 22.960><c> also</c> faith effort in working with us to also faith effort in working with us to also craft
• </c><00:52:26.280><c> They</c><00:52:26.440><c> also</c> craft these recommendations.
• They also craft these recommendations.
• :36.680><c> to</c> DNR to collaborate with stakeholders to DNR to collaborate with stakeholders to craft
• equitable equitable and accessible craft equitable equitable and accessible options options options

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• The initial bill, this dates me even further, but was uh crafted in 1990, which I was on that side of
• The initial bill, this dates me even further, but was uh crafted in 1990, which I was on that side of
• The initial bill, this dates me even further, but was uh crafted in 1990, which I was on that side of
• The initial bill, this dates me even further, but was uh crafted in 1990, which I was on that side of
• Crafted in 1990, which I was on that side of the table and probably voted for.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's my belief and what I would like this committee to work on as we move forward in crafting a larger
• And it's my belief and what I would like this committee to work on as we move forward in crafting a larger
• And it's my belief and what I would like this committee to work on as we move forward in crafting a larger
• And it's my belief and what I would like this committee to work on as we move forward in crafting a larger
• And it's my belief and what I would like this committee to work on as we move forward in crafting a larger

Bills: HF2078 , HF777 , HF841 , HF1112 , HF1098 , HF1926

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Craft.
• I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Craft.
• I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Craft.
• I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Craft.
• I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Craft.

Transcript Highlights:

• Be with us as we craft legislation to address these needs and to make certain, Father God, in their memory

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Transcript Highlights:

• It's crafted so as to ensure that we have additional overall oversight at the state level and not less
• I also want to thank the committee and staff for working with my office on crafting this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's crafted so as to ensure that we have additional oversight at the state level and not less oversight
• I also want to thank the committee and staff for working with my office on crafting this bill.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1600 crafts a narrowly tailored designation for farmworker housing as DACs to allow them to access
• We've tried to craft AB 2667 to address three distinct but interrelated issues.

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard five bills, with testimony focused on farmworker climate equity, product recall responsibility, diaper ingredient disclosure, agricultural commissioner fee authority, and vape disposal and youth protection. Members also took up one consent item. The chair reviewed testimony rules, and the committee established a quorum before proceeding. AB 1600 by Assembly Member Arambula would treat farmworker housing as disadvantaged communities for purposes of climate and environmental funding. Supporters said farmworkers face severe climate, housing, water, and pollution burdens but are often excluded from existing DAC mapping tools. The bill passed 4-1 to the Committee on Appropriations. AB 2462 by Assembly Member Pellerin would require manufacturers to take back recalled products at no cost from consumers and additional collection points such as recycling centers, waste facilities, and thrift stores, while strengthening CalRecycle enforcement. It drew support from counties, cities, and waste stewardship groups, and opposition from manufacturers and juvenile product interests concerned about implementation, coordination, and penalties. The bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1901 by Assembly Member Berman would require children’s diaper manufacturers to disclose ingredients online and on packaging. Supporters framed it as a parents’ right-to-know measure, while industry witnesses sought amendments to align it with other California disclosure laws and protect confidential business information. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. AB 2380 by Assembly Member Papin would raise the maximum fee counties may charge to support agricultural commissioner operations and pesticide enforcement; it received support from county agricultural officials and passed unanimously to the Assembly Floor. AB 2667 by Assembly Member Hadwick would ban deceptively marketed disposable vapes, allow household hazardous waste facilities to disassemble them, and direct DTSC to address school-confiscated vapes. School and local government witnesses described widespread youth vaping and disposal challenges, and the bill passed unanimously to the Business and Professions Committee. AB 2086, the consent item, also passed unanimously. Later add-on votes confirmed the earlier actions, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1600 crafts a narrowly tailored designation for farmworker housing as DACs to allow them to access
• We've tried to craft AB 2667 to address three distinct but interrelated issues.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• You had to craft something. Able to today. You had to craft something that is a balance.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills and one constitutional resolution, with several measures receiving title amendments and some taking effect immediately or on a specified date. Early action included moving House Bill 5438, concerning the foundation allowance for instructional programs, to the foot of third-reading bills. House Bill 5441, reforming the state personnel system, was amended with a Judiciary strike-and-insert technical fix, then passed 28-6 and was set to take effect July 1, 2026. House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance passed unanimously, with a title amendment adopted. House Bill 5484, creating felony offenses related to denying medical treatment to sexual offense victims, also passed unanimously with a title amendment. House Bill 5515 modernizing workers’ compensation statutes passed unanimously with a title amendment, and House Bill 5527 establishing licensure and regulation for wellness reimbursement programs passed unanimously. House Bill 5528, protecting personal residential information of certain public officials, passed unanimously with a title amendment. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 5537, an education-related bill that was amended to add a child-protection provision later referred to as “Rayleigh’s law.” The amendment would bar approval of home instruction requests in certain child abuse or neglect cases until the Department of Human Services confirms the investigation is unfounded, closed, or not substantiated, or until 10 days pass without a response. Senators argued the measure was intended to protect children and not target homeschooling. After a point of order, the chair initially ruled the amended language not germane; that ruling was challenged and ultimately overruled by a 24-7 vote, allowing the amendment to remain. The bill then passed 24-7, and a title amendment was adopted. Other measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 5582 removed the sunset on the TANF applicant drug-screening program and passed 28-3 after a technical committee amendment. House Bill 5687 reduced the metallurgical coal severance tax over time and adjusted oil and gas tax allocations, passing 31-3. Several supplemental appropriations also passed and were made effective from passage, including funds for Homeland Security/corrections, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Culture and History. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 42, which would place on the ballot a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 and allowing future changes by general law. In second reading, the Senate advanced bills on workforce training reimbursements, aerospace and advanced manufacturing incentives, portable benefit accounts, literacy and science-of-reading training, school aid formula changes, and wedding venue regulation, with amendments adopted on several of them before advancement to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• session and we're trying to make a decision about whether to vote for a bill or if you're the author to craft
• it or you're part of the committee, you're helping craft it, right?

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met as a study hearing with a quorum present but no plans to take votes. Chair Mark Wright opened by noting a draft resolution on regulatory reform and introducing Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation, who was invited to discuss his research on state regulatory accumulation and reform. McLaughlin described his method of measuring regulation through counts of binding terms like “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and faster-than-average growth in its regulatory stock. He argued that regulatory accumulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform models in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, saying those states reduced regulations through centralized oversight, periodic review, simplified benefit-cost analysis, transparency tools, and AI-assisted comparison of rules across states. He said Virginia’s regulatory management office helped cut requirements and guidance, reduce licensing delays, and lower homebuilding costs, while similar reforms in Louisiana could produce significant economic gains. Committee members asked about the reliability of the research, the distinction between necessary and duplicative rules, the role of federal mandates, and how AI could help identify outdated or “gold-plated” regulations. McLaughlin said AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, and emphasized that agencies need a process for reviewing old rules, not just issuing new ones. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior legislation creating public hearings and committee review of regulations. Chair Wright said he had filed a broader bill this session and was working with the administration on next steps. Representative Walters requested supporting data and examples from other states, and other members asked for practical comparisons, including how regulations affect housing, occupational licensing, and small businesses. The hearing ended without any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• understand it being brought back up and watering down the provisions in our code, which were carefully crafted
• want a potential terrorist to set up shop in your backyard and have the ability for three months to craft

Bills: HB1016 , HB1453 , HB1992 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB2959 , HB2997 , HB3037 , HB3045 , HB3053 , HB3087 , HB3267 , HB3301 , HB3453 , HB3495 , HB3521 , HB3581 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3662 , HB3691 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3742 , HB3743 , HB3845 , HB4058 , HB4125 , HB4198 , HB4227 , HB4425

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: minors, content creation, trust account, compensation, civil action, digital content, Oklahoma statutes, foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, motor vehicles, towing services, combination vehicles, wrecker fees, possessory lien, landlord

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, I've strived to stuff that we've crafted to try to have virtually no fiscal note.
• And I think is why you crafted the bill the way you did. Yes, very much. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• That's something that we've really struggled with as we've looked to craft legislation that obviously
• And that's something that we've really struggled with is we've looked to craft legislation that obviously

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee waived the five-day notice rule and then took up two House bills. HB 2418 would tighten and expand permit-review timelines for residential projects, including requiring “procedural completeness” determinations, adding excluded time periods, extending timeline and refund requirements to certain fee-charging state and local entities, creating review deadlines for special purpose districts and public utility districts, and requiring local governments to designate a permit responsible official and a single point of contact. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve predictability and reduce delays in permitting; builders and housing advocates strongly supported it, while sewer and water districts and county representatives raised concerns about incomplete referrals, staffing shortages, business-day versus calendar-day deadlines, and the cost of implementing the new contact requirements. The committee heard testimony but took no final vote on the bill in the transcript. HB 2451 would revise Washington’s local tax increment financing program. Staff explained that the bill adds guardrails and transparency, changes notice and hearing requirements, adjusts the assessed-value cap for increment areas, adds public safety facilities to eligible improvements, requires more detailed project analyses and annual reporting, and creates a negotiation/mediation/arbitration process for impacts to taxing districts. The sponsor said the measure was a carefully negotiated compromise intended to address junior taxing district concerns without creating an opt-out. Supporters from the Port of Tacoma, fire chiefs, cities, and counties said the bill improves the earlier TIF framework by strengthening the but-for test, notice, and participation rules, while counties still expressed concern about cumulative impacts and asked for future opt-out discussions. No final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• much effort goes into making the agendas and the minutes, and just running papers around. ...and crafting
• stated that they need to apply the law in what they're doing that goes beyond what some of the other crafts

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I just hate that our reality is that we are reactionary, that we are crafting legislation that reacts
• Crafting legislation that reacts to violent crime and anticipates more school shootings instead of doing

Committee: House General Laws

Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2774, the Jeff Knight bill concerning gas-powered leaf blowers. An amendment was adopted to exempt the city of Clayton, Missouri, allowing it to ban gas-powered leaf blowers if it chooses. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass by 12 yeas and 0 nays. The committee next took up House Bill 2176 by Representative Perkins and voted it do pass by 8 yeas and 4 nays. After that, the committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1730, sponsored by Representative Koslow, which would treat Missouri-made firearm suppressors that remain in-state as outside federal Commerce Clause oversight. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would protect hearing, reduce federal burdens, and not increase crime; members raised concerns about concealment and public safety, but no opposition testimony was offered and the hearing closed. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2504 by Representative Elliott, which would expand who may be designated as school protection officers to include additional school personnel, such as classified staff, if they volunteer, complete required training, and are approved through local school board and state processes. Supporters, including a school superintendent, security trainer, law enforcement officer, and public advocate, said the bill would improve response times in rural districts that cannot afford school resource officers and emphasized the extensive training and vetting already required. Opponents or skeptical members questioned whether adding more armed personnel in schools was the right response to school violence, but no formal opposition testimony was presented before the committee adjourned.