Transcript Highlights:

• So it preserves free speech and also protects voters from deception and protects candidates from deception
• 00:02:19.440><c> it</c><00:02:19.599><c> preserves</c><00:02:20.000><c> free</c><00:02:20.319><c> speech
• </c><00:02:20.560><c> and</c><00:02:20.800><c> also</c> So it preserves free speech and also So it preserves
• free speech and also protects<00:02:21.520><c> voters</c><00:02:21.840><c> from</c><00:02:22.160><c>

Committee: Joint Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that my employees in there.
• Let's say that all of the other corrections employees are, for example, federal employees, they're on
• Let's say that all of the other corrections employees are, for example, federal employees, they're on
• Let's say that all of the other corrections employees are, for example, federal employees, they're on
• Let's say that all of the other corrections employees are, for example, federal employees, they're on

Transcript Highlights:

• Repealing it restores free speech, removes unnecessary business barriers, and maintains strong consumer
• But what this has done, we believe, has taken away free speech from folks that are agents.
• But what this has done, we believe, has taken away free speech from folks that are agents.
• But what this has done, we believe, has taken away free speech from folks that are agents.
• But what this is done, we believe, has taken away free speech from folks that are agents.

Bills: S0266 , S0394 , S0540 , S0632 , S0642 , S0832 , S0834 , S1028

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written. Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we work with over 90 paying member companies representing over 20,000 Kentucky employees.
• </c> three fyet county school employees. three fyet county school employees.
• </c> highle employee of the DEI department. highle employee of the DEI department.
• It does not affect the conduct, speech, and freedoms of association of students.
• It does not affect and school employees.

Summary: The committee opened with a roll call, confirmed a quorum, approved the minutes by voice vote, and recognized a guest of Senator Hickden, retired judge Dan Kelly. The chair then moved through a tight agenda and limited public presentations and questions. The first presentation was on robotics education in Kentucky, led by Representative Chris Lewis, Kentucky FIRST Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen, and students from Whitfield Academy. They argued that robotics should be expanded in high schools as a workforce pipeline for engineering, manufacturing, and advanced technology jobs. The presentation emphasized hands-on learning, industry certifications, teacher development, and a proposed framework to fund robotics education programs statewide. Committee members were not allowed to ask questions because of time constraints. The second presentation was from Canopy Kentucky, led by Adam Watson and founder Scott Collins. They described Canopy’s business and entrepreneurship education programs for fifth graders and high school students, including the NextGen Good Biz initiative and an eight-classroom high school unit. Canopy requested a one-time $750,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026, matched by private funds, to expand into more schools and rural areas, train educators, and report outcomes. Members asked a brief question about how the programs fit into school schedules and the difference between the elementary and high school offerings. The final presentation, from KDE’s Kelly Foster and Todd Allen, reviewed the state’s school improvement classifications. Foster explained CSI, TSI, and ATSI status, the federal and state legal framework, and how House Bill 298 returned CSI identification to an annual cycle. She reported that Kentucky identified 50 CSI schools on the most recent release, with 53 CSI schools statewide, along with 39 TSI schools and 102 ATSI schools. She also outlined KDE’s support process, including education recovery staff, diagnostic reviews, turnaround plans, and required professional learning for CSI schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Safe at Home program to include immigrant service providers, their employees, and volunteers.
• Organizations are doing what they can with limited funding to protect their employees and volunteers
• Organizations are doing what they can with limited funding to protect their employees and volunteers
• Constitutional free speech protections still fully apply.
• California expects its public employees to be moral, to defend its people against all enemies, and to

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• As local governments, payroll, health insurance, and retirement benefits for employees, and significant
• property appraisers, our tax collectors' office, the retirement benefits for our county and city employees—a
• , And I heard it earlier today, as if somebody was in my speech, airport names too.
• I promised all of my employees at the time, no one will go without a paycheck, whether we have business
• And you all know that I come from local government, both as an employee, a firefighter, and as a city

Transcript Highlights:

• And the struggle continues, as my colleague mentioned in her powerful speech today, and the struggle
• Speaker and gentlemen, we will not be employees. So I was, I think those are really great.
• Nothing in this bill specifies that we'll be getting that because we are not employees.
• Speaker, kind lady, I have been an employee and an employer. I've worked small businesses.
• She was trying to make payroll, trying to make sure that her employees were taken care of.

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Summary: The House of Representatives held an African-American Day celebration recognizing the second Friday in February as required by state statute and honoring the contributions of African Americans in New Mexico and nationally. The program included the national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation, and remarks from Representative Janelle Anyanoru and others. A central feature was recognition of the “Talented 10,” ten African American women leaders in New Mexico, including officials and community leaders in city government, education, the judiciary, business, and public service. The chamber also recognized numerous guests and community leaders, including Senator Harold Pope, the first African American elected to the New Mexico Senate, and concluded the celebration with a musical performance and closing remarks about diversity and inclusion. After the celebration, the House moved into announcements and then messages and committee reports. Members recognized guests and community efforts, including organ donation awareness, the New Mexico Community Foundation, and a Beclavito Chapter House delegation. The House received a Senate message transmitting Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 241, the Child Care Assistance Program Act, which was referred to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. Several committee reports were adopted, including House Bill 132, House Bill 199 via a committee substitute, Senate Bills 38, 101, and 58 as amended, House Bill 38 via a committee substitute, House Memorial 59, House Bill 256, House Memorial 43, Senate Bill 64 as amended, House Bill 93, House Bill 254 as amended, and House Memorial 29. The chamber then began third reading debate on House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to provide legislative compensation tied to New Mexico’s median household income. Supporters argued it would modernize the legislature, broaden access to working people, and improve accountability; opponents questioned the timing, amount, and fairness of paying legislators while many constituents struggle economically. The debate continued with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• California, and they need flexibility to manage this in the way that works with their patients and their employees
• And a hospital system can use a float list first, where the employee is working, maybe in a different
• So this bill would just say, hospital, make sure you have that number, not hospital force employees to
• Now we have speech therapy. We have occupational therapy. The real treatment was ABA.
• Now we have speech therapy. We have occupational therapy.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• On May 7th, the Employee Benefits Committee approved a motion to recommend a rule change, and that's
• It's titled Legislative Assembly employee positions and compensation.
• And, Emily, the Senate did have an actual employee for the minority leader, and it says zero.
• And I need a motion for proposing 36 Senate employees and 41 House of Representatives employees.
• And then we're going to move on to the compensation side of these employees.

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not one of the employees vote for it. not one of the employees vote for it.
• </c> employees my entire career for 30 years. employees my entire career for 30 years.
• Cannabis has 150 new employees. Children and family, 500 employees because we created a new agency.
• Cannabis has 150 new employees. Children and family, 500 employees because we created a new agency.
• Cannabis has 150 new employees. Children and family, 500 employees because we created a new agency.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll address now and not when the MCO tax comes up, the MCO tax increased benefit payments for the employee
• Blue Shield plan or whatever plan you have, those are usually split 60-40 with the employer and the employee
• And part of the speeches we're relitigating the budget that we approved on Monday.
• that there are protections in the case that there is sexual assault against a student by a school employee

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then honored astronaut Captain Victor J. Glover Jr. for his achievements as a Navy officer, NASA astronaut, and California native. Senators Weber Pearson and Rubio highlighted his historic space missions and his role as an inspiration for students, especially in STEM, before the chamber took a photo with Glover and his family. The body then took up SCR 183 on Juneteenth. Senator Weber Pearson presented the resolution as a commemoration of emancipation and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Senators Padilla, Smallwood-Cuevas, Valladares, and Becker spoke in support from the perspectives of the Latino, LGBTQ, Women’s, Hispanic, and Jewish caucuses, emphasizing historical memory, faith, and the need to continue fighting discrimination. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate next considered budget trailer bills SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. SB 110 made technical budget amendments and passed 29-10. SB 122 expanded sales tax to electronically delivered prewritten software, extended and limited business tax credits, adjusted LLC minimum taxes, and included other revenue changes; supporters said it helped balance the budget and protect services, while opponents argued it would raise costs for businesses, hospitals, and families. It passed 27-9. SB 125 created a federally compliant managed care organization tax to support Medi-Cal and avoid deeper cuts; supporters said it was necessary after federal changes eliminated the prior tax, while opponents warned premiums could rise. It also passed 27-9. The chamber also adopted SR 114 designating June 15-21, 2026 as AVID Week, and SJR 14 urging a Congressional Gold Medal for World War II Army and Navy nurses, both by unanimous roll call. SCR 187 recognizing Father’s Day in California also passed unanimously. The Senate then approved a large consent calendar and closed with remarks about Juneteenth and the next session scheduled for June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are state employee health insurance of $195 million.
• the ongoing one-time spending for 27 because they have to be renewed annually, and those are state employee
• When there was more job openings than people unemployed, we had a clamor by employers looking for employees
• And I said this in every speech that I've given for the last year: if I was going to be in any state

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee met for its January session to review Arizona revenue and economic conditions ahead of the budget process. JLBC staff presented the January baseline, noting projected positive cash balances through FY 2029 and about $577 million to $578 million in discretionary capacity, but also highlighting major unfunded items not included in the baseline, including federal tax conformity costs, ongoing one-time spending for state employee health insurance and school facility repairs, and administrative costs tied to H.R. 1. Staff also reviewed revenue trends by category, saying FY26 general fund revenues were running above forecast overall, with strength in retail, restaurants and bars, and individual income tax payments, while contracting and utility-related collections were weaker or flat. They also compared JLBC and executive revenue assumptions and discussed the executive’s proposed revenue changes, including border reimbursement assumptions, sports betting tax changes, data center-related tax and fee proposals, and other non-general fund measures. A major topic was income tax conformity with recent federal tax law changes. Staff explained that current Department of Revenue forms assume “straight conformity,” but the governor’s proposal and vetoed SB 1106 do not fully match those forms, creating possible amendment and timing issues for taxpayers and the department if the legislature adopts a different policy. Members also discussed the difficulty of forecasting revenues amid volatile monthly collections and uncertainty over how much of the current revenue strength will persist in the second half of the fiscal year. Danny Court of Elliott Pollack gave a broader national and state economic outlook, arguing that the U.S. has avoided recession despite several warning indicators, largely because of AI and data center investment, while employment growth has softened and inflation remains above the Fed’s target. He said Arizona remains relatively resilient, with strong population and job pipelines, but faces housing affordability constraints, slowing employment growth, and a more concentrated population forecast in the Phoenix area. Panelists generally agreed that Arizona remains in better shape than many states, though they cautioned that job growth is slowing, population estimates may be revised, and budget and revenue forecasts should be treated carefully given uncertainty in the data. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And more importantly, their employees as well. And so, with that, Madam Chair, I close.
• Repetition and inefficiency and allows these employees to spend more time with the patients and less
• It just reduces the annual training for every employee, and so we feel pretty confident that we'll be
• I'm a speech-language pathologist, a business owner, and a mother of two.

Bills: SB1117 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB1986 , SB1098 , SB626 , SB1784 , SB2480 , SB2487 , SB437 , SB660

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, waiting to hear your eloquent speech on that. All speeches are eloquent. Yeah, they are.
• <00:23:45.279><c> on</c> speech on speech on that<00:23:48.320><c> all</c><00:23:48.600><c> conent</c
• speeches are eloquent that all conent speeches are eloquent yeah<00:23:50.200><c> they</c><00:23:50.360
• Discussion on this one as well: I'm going to give the same speech that I have.
• Yeah, it's a good speech. We'll take it out. Beautiful. Doing a good job, everybody. Uh, SB 228.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• at old videos and listening to looking at old videos and listening to Melissa's<00:10:38.000><c> speeches
• when she originally Melissa's speeches when she originally passed<00:10:40.320><c> the</c><00:10:40.480
• It was maybe the most boring floor speech I’ve ever heard.
• But as I thought about that thorough technical speech, I could hear Melissa in my head.
• The legislature isn’t about showy floor speeches.

Transcript Highlights:

• media is defined as an image, audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech
• be the following: "This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech
• be the following: "This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech
• be the following: "This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech
• be the following: "This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, this bill is not about limiting free speech or banning the use of AI in political messaging
• It has to do with what your commission deals with day in and day out on political speech.
• The Texas Public Policy Foundation would support providing clear exemptions for political speech that
• Speech is fundamental and is protected by the Constitution.
• It doesn't criminalize the speech itself and it doesn't criminalize memes. political memes like that,

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> And in this proverative speech, And in this proverative speech, he<02:26:01.120><c> didn't</c><
• Um, and then another one of my children who has a speech delay and speech articulation disorder, um,
• Um, and then another one of my children who has a speech delay and speech articulation disorder, um,
• Um, and then another one of my children who has a speech delay and speech articulation disorder, um,
• Um, and then another one of my children who has a speech delay and speech articulation disorder, um,

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects an individual's freedom of speech.
• Under the First Amendment, any restrictions on speech that are based on the content of the speech are
• So when the speech involved is commercial speech, which the bill is, when we are talking about the ability
• is less protected than other forms of speech.
• Commercial speech is less protected than other forms of speech.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health court participation, homeowners association governance, groundwater enforcement, pet-policy disclosure in rentals, and post-disaster property speculation. SB 1088 would update California’s POLST and DNR laws by renaming POLST to Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, and making clear that these forms are voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court for care coordination and information-sharing, while preserving judicial discretion to exclude them if harmful; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a removal of patient consent. The committee advanced SB 1242 on a 7-0 vote, with the bill placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA budget transparency, disclosure of evidence for violations, and a lower cap on regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would improve accountability and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap and the need for flexibility for large expenses; the bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would prevent a person convicted of sexual assault from obtaining custody or visitation of a child conceived from that assault, while preserving the possibility of voluntary co-parenting and aiming to qualify California for federal grant funding; it passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Later, SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and its groundwater sustainability plan, addressing an enforcement gap for a GSA created by special legislation rather than a joint powers agreement. It drew support from agricultural and county groups and passed 9-0, placed on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow refund of an application fee if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted application costs and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups said the ad disclosure requirements were impractical. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. The final bill, SB 1090, was introduced to prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire-disaster areas, responding to investor activity after the Eaton and Palisades fires; the author and a SAGE witness described it as a protection against disaster capitalism and predatory low offers to displaced residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects an individual's freedom of speech.
• Under the First Amendment, any restrictions on speech that are based on the content of the speech are
• So when the speech involved is commercial speech, which the bill is, when we are talking about the ability
• is less protected than other forms of speech.
• Commercial speech is less protected than other forms of speech.

Committee: Senate Judiciary