Transcript Highlights:

• whose wisdom we seek in all endeavors, our friends whom we are blessed to have in our lives, our parents
• I'm proud to bring a group of dedicated parents, and all of us who are parents love when you get dedicated
• are from the parent mentoring advisory group up there in the gallery.
• I join advocates, parents, children, and doctors in bringing focus to rare diseases.
• My parents, I remember sitting in my mother's bedroom.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if I was an owner of a business and let's say this bill was to pass and you now were—your parents
• Does an immunocompromised child, are they able to get a vaccine themselves if their parent chooses to
• Does an immunocompromised child, are they able to get a vaccine themselves if their parent chooses to
• I'm a parent from Phoenix, Arizona, with over a decade of experience in health insurance sales.
• It protects parental rights and ensures no one is shut out from a doctor's office or other essentials

Committee: House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met for its first hearing of the session, took roll, introduced members and staff, and reviewed committee rules and amendment deadlines. The chair also announced that video recording would not be allowed in the room and set the order and speaking limits for the day’s bills. The committee heard HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has or has not received a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy, parental rights, and freedom from medical discrimination. Opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could undermine vaccination policies, school and child care illness controls, and protections for immunocompromised people. The bill passed on a 3-2 vote. The committee then heard HB 2086, which would prohibit governmental entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with limited exceptions for workplace safety and infection control. Supporters said it would prevent government coercion and protect individual liberty and business freedom; opponents warned it would interfere with private business decisions and public health measures. After testimony and debate over the scope of the bill and the relevance of Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the committee approved HB 2086 on a 3-2 vote. Finally, the committee considered HB 2688, which would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget positions vacant for at least 150 days and direct budget units to eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as Corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill was intended to reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while critics raised concerns about hard-to-fill specialized roles. The committee passed HB 2688 on a 3-2 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if I was an owner of a business and let's say this bill was to pass and you now were—your parents
• Does an immunocompromised child, are they able to get a vaccine themselves if their parent chooses to
• Does an immunocompromised child, are they able to get a vaccine themselves if their parent chooses to
• I'm a parent from Phoenix, Arizona, with over a decade of experience in health insurance sales.
• It protects parental rights and ensures no one is shut out from a doctor's office or other essentials

Bills: HB2086 , HB2248 , HB2688

Committee: House Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've given parents peace of mind through a child tax credit that is expected to cut childhood poverty
• We've given parents talk about security.
• We've given parents peace<00:25:06.960><c> of</c><00:25:07.120><c> mind</c><00:25:07.440><c> through<
• parent in this state knows their<00:25:16.320><c> child's</c><00:25:16.640><c> going</c><00:25:16.720
• will choose between nobody's parents will choose between prescription<00:26:48.400><c> drugs</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a caregiver for my parents, and I support the bill. Thank you. Good morning.
• I had a grandmother that my parents took care of.
• And, you know, we know that we have people that have their parents to take care of, their kids to take
• As a parent, most people are parents, a lot of people are parents.
• They're trying to figure You know, as a parent, most people are parents, a lot of people are parents.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement met for its first hearing of the session, adopted committee rules, and heard several labor-related bills. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including limits on testimony and expectations for orderly conduct. Members then took up measures affecting public employee bargaining, contracting, confidentiality, school employee benefits, pay stub information, and state correctional health staffing. AB 672 would require public employers to notify PERB when filing court actions involving statutes PERB administers and allow PERB to intervene; it drew support from SEIU, AFSCME, school employees, labor groups, and no opposition, and was passed out of committee. AB 283 would move IHSS bargaining from the county to the state level; providers and recipients testified about low wages, long delays in bargaining, and care access concerns, while counties and public authorities raised cost, scope, and implementation issues. The bill passed 7-0 after members discussed family care worker concerns and the author said he would continue working on the issue. AB 339 would require local governments to give unions 120 days’ notice before contracting out bargaining-unit work. Labor supporters said the bill would make existing meet-and-confer rights meaningful and protect jobs, while counties, cities, special districts, chambers of commerce, and staffing groups argued it would burden local agencies and interfere with existing MMBA procedures. The committee also heard AB 340, which would make communications between employees and union representatives confidential for PERB purposes; supporters said it codified existing case law, while school administrators, special districts, counties, and business groups warned it could hinder investigations. AB 378 would extend the classified school employees summer assistance program to JPA employees, and AB 374 would require more detailed pay stubs for classified school employees; both had labor support and some education-sector opposition over implementation and cost concerns, and both advanced. AB 393 would require cost analyses before contracting out physician work at CDCR and the Department of State Hospitals; supporters argued the state was overpaying contractors amid high vacancy rates, and the bill also advanced. At the end of the hearing, the committee recorded final votes showing AB 283, AB 340, AB 374, AB 378, AB 393, and AB 672 all passing out of committee, while AB 339 remained on hold with a 4-0 vote and some members not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We focused primarily on academic school choice offerings to help parents and families meet their needs
• , where... ...school choice offerings to help parents and families meet their needs where they are.
• Ultimately, it is on the parents to find that information out.
• Ultimately, it is on the parents to find that information out.
• Stark doesn't talk to parents. FHSAA is the administrator-focused organization.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to discuss Florida’s current “sports choice” rules and high school NIL policy, then heard and passed HB 151. FHSAA officials and Sarasota County Schools staff explained eligibility rules for student-athletes, including GPA, age, semester limits, physicals, insurance, and the different participation options for traditional public, charter, home education, Florida Virtual, and private school students. Members focused on how controlled open enrollment works, whether private school students can play at public schools and vice versa, transfer timing and capacity limits, recruiting restrictions, and the role of local district policies. Sarasota officials said about 400 students in their county participate through non-traditional athletic arrangements, and FHSAA said statewide there are 5,460 non-traditional student-athlete forms on file out of roughly 280,000 student-athletes. The committee then reviewed Florida’s high school NIL framework. FHSAA said students in grades 9-12 may enter NIL deals, with no income cap, but they are barred from agreements involving adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, cannabis, controlled substances, gambling, weapons, political or social activism, and NIL collectives. Students must have a written contract and cannot use school logos or uniforms without permission. FHSAA said about 25 students statewide had NIL deals so far, and Sarasota was first to file. Members raised concerns about recruiting, taxes, financial literacy, mental health, and whether students should be treated as employees, while district staff said they provide education and financial literacy resources but do not review contracts. After the discussion, the committee took up HB 151 by Rep. Abbott. The bill allows students at FHSAA-member private schools to participate in sports at another member school when their own school does not offer that sport, and it removes the current 200-student enrollment limit. An amendment clarifying the private-school language was adopted without objection. A public witness from a small private school supported the bill, saying it would let the school join FHSAA without losing local athletic access for its students. Despite some members raising fairness and funding concerns, the bill passed on a 15-0 vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:40:53.439><c> an</c> X's on it um was worn by parents an X's on it um was worn by parents an
• They also found back in that 2025 study they did focus groups with parents, and 90% of parents, teachers
• They also found back in that 2025 study they did focus groups with parents, and 90% of parents, teachers
• Their parents might not have beforehand. Their parents might not have that<04:09:30.720><c> money.
• </c> imagine is that there are loving parents imagine is that there are loving parents who<04:19:36.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would mandate crisis response protocols, parental controls, and time limits.
• Any parent whose kid uses ChatGPT for homework could be sitting where I'm.
• Any parent whose kid uses ChatGPT for homework could be sitting where I am today.
• I have to say again, as a parent and as a grandparent... The price is simply too high.
• is better than one healthy, than one traumatized parent.

Summary: The committee heard several bills. SB 911, by Senator Becker, would require notification and verification of defensible-space compliance when homes in high wildfire severity zones are transferred, using the preliminary change of ownership report; supporters said it would improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while county assessors opposed the use of the PCOR and urged a different recorded document. Members generally supported the bill but raised concerns about the 12-month compliance window and the need to keep working with assessors; the bill was held pending a quorum and later placed on call. SB 1016, by Senator Blakespear, would create a pathway for a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate or otherwise needs more intensive care. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, and local officials, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people untreated and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued it would expand involuntary detention, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and undermine Care Court’s voluntary nature. The bill passed the committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 1112, by Senator Archuleta, would create a faster court process for victims of illegal or excessive “bandit towing” to recover their vehicles by posting a bond and obtaining a release certificate. Support came from Enterprise Mobility and the author, who said the bill targets bad actors and helps equalize leverage for vehicle owners; the California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude auto repair shops. The committee passed the bill as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. SB 1119, by Senator Padilla, would impose child-safety requirements on AI chatbots, including risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, limits on time and data use, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The bill was driven by testimony from the mother of a teenager who died by suicide after prolonged chatbot interactions; industry and business groups opposed or sought amendments, citing overlap with recent law, vague standards, and prescriptive design mandates. Members expressed strong support for the bill’s goals while urging tighter definitions, and the bill was moved on a roll call vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents that come and support their kids that live there are the most supportive parents I've ever
• And this is not some hidden power parents do not know about.
• Louisiana has already given parents wide latitude. HB 1041 is different.
• You're a parent and maybe you want to know what's happening.
• In most cases, the parents will be involved and that's there.

Bills: HB414 , HB786 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1182 , HB1185 , HB1214 , HB1217 , HB1231 , SR63 , SCR27 , SB5 , SB194 , SB415 , SB433 , SB451 , SB462 , SB516

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, Medicaid, claim payments, extrapolation, provider audits, medical freedom, discrimination, access, medical intervention, child protection, confidentiality, multidisciplinary teams, child advocacy centers, public records, investigations, hospital

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> leave</c><00:13:19.200><c> uh</c><00:13:19.519><c> law</c> the pregnancy and parenting leave uh
• law the pregnancy and parenting leave uh law provides<00:13:21.040><c> employees</c><00:13:21.760><c>
• </c><00:32:14.399><c> Um</c> ability to receive parental leave.
• Um ability to receive parental leave.
• and to be treated fairly and get parent and to be treated fairly and get what<00:37:21.040><c> they<

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are working adults, first-generation college students, and parents supporting families.
• It's a homegrown, not-for-profit parent partnership, and we do not contract out our school.
• I'm here as a parent and advocate in support of the budget.
• I am an occupational therapist and also the parent of a young adult with Down syndrome.
• Family Connects conducts free nurse visits for parents and their newborns.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• The payment never goes to the child's parent. It goes directly to the child care provider.
• Um, there will not be a direct payment to a parent in any form of this.
• Um, there will not be a direct payment to a parent in any form of this.
• They have an elderly parent to take care of. They don't have transportation.
• </c> have an elderly parent to take care of. have an elderly parent to take care of.

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 21 January, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where parents that welcome a child in their home in 2025 are eligible to take leave in 2026.
• The success of that first launch allowed us to open the doors wider for new parents across the state
• But for example, parents who 2025.
• </c> last few months have been new parents last few months have been new parents who<01:09:44.080><c>
• Uh, typically birthgiving parents take a longer time than non-birththing parents.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've cared for and we are his parents.
• </c> panel are parents. panel are parents.
• By doing this, parents can often take off their hats they wear, so to speak, and get to be the parent
• </c> parental employment. parental employment.
• </c><01:24:26.400><c> lack</c> poverty, children whose parents lack poverty, children whose parents lack

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In at least one case, the counselors missed the deadline because there was a death of a parent on campus
• The counselors missed the deadline because there was a death of a parent on campus the week that this
• I'm not going to give any names, but three young ladies that were willing through their parents to send
• We as parents have reached out to the Auxiliary.
• We heard from parents. We heard from superintendents.

Committee: All HOUSE MANAGEMENT

Summary: House Management considered a series of House resolutions honoring individuals, teams, and organizations. Resolutions passed recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commending CASA programs, the Mountain Home Bombers’ boys and girls cross-country championships, a corrected honor for a girls’ team roster, Mount St. Mary Academy’s state golf title, Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir, a local candy shop, Joe T. Robinson’s football and swim/dive state championships, Arkansas Tech University’s Golden Suns and their cross-country team, and North Little Rock’s girls basketball championship. One resolution honoring the Passion Play was pulled from the agenda and moved to regular session. Most of the honors were approved without opposition after brief presentations and no questions. The committee then took up House Resolution 1052, which drew extended discussion. Sponsors and several legislators argued that many Arkansas girls selected for Girls State were being denied participation because school counselors missed an application deadline, despite the students meeting requirements and similar deadline flexibility having been granted in prior years. They said the issue affected roughly 150 girls statewide, that the American Legion Auxiliary board had not been responsive to calls or requests for a meeting, and that the legislature was offering to help with space, funding, or volunteers if needed. Supporters framed the resolution as a matter of fairness, civic opportunity, and not punishing students for adult mistakes, especially since Boys State deadlines had been extended in some cases. Committee members asked about the impact on girls whose brothers were allowed to attend Boys State and whether the situation sent a negative message about equal opportunity. Sponsors said the girls were being treated unfairly and that the resolution was intended to urge the Auxiliary to allow participation. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the resolution. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once he commented, when my parents raised my siblings and I in the 1930s and '40s, they had an idea of
• But parents raising their children nowadays What their lives also might be like.
• But parents raising their children nowadays must wonder, what kind of world am I preparing my child for
• There was something reassuring to feel that loving parents today are doing what loving parents have always
• done, and we are all products of our parents' timeless, loving support and encouragement.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they help facilitate, as I mentioned, parent-infant bonding visits to help our youth who are
• parents stay connected with their children.
• I also think that would be a great way to teach some parenting skills and give some feedback to moms
• There are times that the staff will actually go to the school and help parents with enrollment.
• But to try to learn some parenting skills and have that bonding twice a month isn't enough.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The parents. Who will pay on the car? The parents.
• The parents. Whose car is uh an injury? The parents.
• The parents. Who's probably in driving? The parents.
• The parents. And who is the most hours? The parents.
• The parents. the wheel of their car? The parents.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn over to Parent Voices. Terrienne.
• First, all investments should center parent and provider priorities.
• They lifted 120,000 single parents out of poverty, and Quebec saw 75% fewer single parents on public
• They live 120,000 single parents out of poverty in Quebec saw 75% fewer single parents on public assistance
• I've been a resource parent. I'm a former foster youth, right?

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a long story, but he lives with both parents. They're divorced.
• And of course, his parents are on the list and just all the pickup people.
• I mean, I'm sitting here as a parent who raised kids. Three and four years to do this.
• I mean, I'm sitting here as a parent who raised kids through the public schools.
• We don't return it unless your parents come to campus.

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security