Transcript Highlights:

• We see Maine and Minnesota have acted on this already.
• The Just Transition for Landscapers Act does a couple of things.
• I am excited to present AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act.
• I just can't emphasize the importance of protecting community.
• This is the right direction to protect community.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities are working to protect clean water and critical infrastructure.
• We say we love our veterans, and we still don't protect them the way we should.
• A bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026 through 2027 General Appropriations Act.
• and our legislation implementing the act for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• Endland Protection Trust Fund.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the FCC has been doing nothing to protect us in the last four years.
• Next, moving to S. 1518, an act relative to fluoride in water warnings.
• H. 2385, an act establishing a special commission on avian influenza H5N1.
• Next, moving to S. 1497, an act protecting patient safety regarding non-FDA approved drugs.
• Next, moving to S1497, an act protecting patient safety regarding non-FDA approved drugs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very critical to protect schools.
• I'm here to present the AI Abuse Protection Act, which establishes a legal framework for regulating artificial
• These lawsuits aren't about protecting privacy. These lawsuits aren't about protecting privacy.
• CCPA protects immigration and reproductive health care.
• SB 431 seeks to extend protections for utility workers who face growing threats, harassment, and acts

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with testimony split between supporters who framed the measures as targeted fixes and opponents who warned about overcriminalization and unintended consequences. SB 701, by Senator Wahab, drew support from law enforcement and local government groups, who said state law lacks a tool to address the conduct at issue; the ACLU opposed it as duplicative of existing law, while public defenders said they may withdraw opposition after amendments. Because there was no quorum at that point, the bill was held open without a vote. SB 834, by Senator DeRazzo, was presented as a technical cleanup bill to improve California’s automatic record clearance system by preventing outdated “pending” charges from blocking relief, requiring local court records to match DOJ records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It received broad support from criminal justice reform and defense organizations, with no opposition, and the chair indicated support, but no final action was taken during the hearing. SB 248, by Senator Rubio, would require DOJ to send new gun purchasers educational materials during the waiting period about safe storage, suicide prevention, domestic violence, and related resources; supporters called it common-sense education, while one opponent argued the information is already available. The committee voted the bill out on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, but it remained on call pending one additional vote. Senator Rubio’s SB 19, the Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act, would create a new offense for credible threats against schools or houses of worship even when no specific individual is named. Supporters, including law enforcement and Jewish community advocates, said current law leaves a loophole and that the bill would help prevent panic and resource-draining lockdowns; opponents from civil liberties and youth justice groups argued existing law already covers threats and that the bill would worsen the school-to-prison pipeline. After a motion and second, the committee voted due pass to Appropriations, with the measure also left on call. Later, SB 759 by Senator Archuleta, prompted by the killing of Whittier Officer Keith Boyer, would require a court hearing after a third supervision violation or new offense for people on post-release community supervision; supporters said it adds accountability, while opponents said it removes probation discretion and could increase jail and court burdens. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was reported as passing. The committee also heard SB 6 by Senator Ashby, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance while preserving veterinary use. Supporters, including veterinarians, law enforcement, and a parent who lost a son to a drug-related death, said the drug is increasingly present in fentanyl mixtures and needs to be controlled; opponents from drug policy and civil liberties groups argued scheduling would criminalize users, hinder research, and repeat failed drug-war policies. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out due pass to Appropriations, and it passed. Finally, SB 11, the AI Abuse Protection Act, was introduced to regulate AI-generated voice, image, and video replicas, with supporters emphasizing protection against deepfakes and nonconsensual images; the California Chamber of Commerce opposed unless amended, seeking narrower definitions and limits on consumer warnings. The hearing ended while SB 11 was still under discussion, with no final vote reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, third reading of a bill: An act protecting individuals with disabilities in day habilitation
• Rental car prices... 603, and act relative to affordable car rentals.
• An act further regulating fentanyl test strips, Senate Number 1057.
• So I hope that we act today expeditiously.
• No. 5531, an act establishing the 26th State Primary Election Day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Haven Act helps ensure that victims have a chance to become survivors.
• The Haven Act helps ensure that victims have a chance to become survivors.
• The Haven Act helps ensure that victims have a chance to become survivors.
• And I thank you, my friend, for the Haven Act, for bringing this.
• know what they’re doing is illegal... ...acting in good faith.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law. HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0. HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 628 is an act relating to domestic abuse orders of protection, introduced by Representative
• of<00:04:08.720> protection.
• orders of protection. orders of protection.
• today is House Bill 409, which is an act today is House Bill 409, which is an act relating<00:16
• The act shall take effect on passage.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence honoring four former members who had recently died: Avis Jarvis, Ernie Shan Jr., Ernest Earl, and Malcolm F. Severance. Members then introduced 12 bills for first reading and referral, covering topics including voyeurism and disclosure of sexually explicit images, crime victims’ rights in forensic cases, domestic abuse orders of protection, family court judgments, connected-device security standards, energy storage goals, environmental amendments, municipal votes on cannabis retail, cannabis consumption in prohibited places, elimination of Department of Corrections supervisory fees, an independent monitoring board for body-worn camera footage, and operating under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Each bill was read and referred to the appropriate committee. During announcements, members noted an upcoming Vermont National Guard and Veterans Affairs Caucus meeting, recognized a representative’s birthday, observed a moment of silence for former doorkeeper Cornelius L. Reed, and welcomed a new child in the gallery. The chamber then moved to the orders of the day. The House considered H.28, which would add explicit affirmation language to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and make related technical and gender-neutral wording changes. The Judiciary Committee recommended amendment, and the House adopted the committee amendment and ordered third reading. The House also took up H.409, a strike-all amendment concerning bail revocation procedures. The bill would correct bail-cap language for now-sealable misdemeanors and create a clearer process for prosecutors to appeal denied motions for bail revocation; witnesses from legislative counsel, public safety, prosecutors, defense, and the judiciary supported it. The committee vote was reported as 10-1 after a correction from the floor, the House adopted the amendment, and third reading was ordered. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's vote is an act of patriotism.
• is protecting Californians.
• is protecting Californians.
• We will stand up and we will defend the Voting Rights Act and protect our historically marginalized communities
• Don't act brand new.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried. The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission. No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• The act established liability for AI use that violates consumer protection laws when not properly disclosed
• So this Kids Online Safety Act, the App Store Accountability Act, and the Guard Act, and you can sort
• It's called the Ratepayer Protection Act. It was introduced by Gabe Evans.
• It's called the Secure Data Act.
• Second, data protection.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill has two protections.
• Uh protecting Alabama from your mind.
• The bill has two protections.
• The bill has two protections.
• The bill has two protections.

Bills: HB358, HB358

Keywords: juvenile justice, detention, age of majority, jurisdiction, child welfare, foreign influence, political activity, transparency, registration, civil penalties, hostile foreign principals, state ethics, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The violation extends far beyond the physical act.
• Seventeen other states already protect providers in the way this bill will protect them, and California
• protected.
• Seventeen other states already protect providers in the way this bill will protect them, and California
• AB 2164, the Care Without Fear Act, is the next step in protecting this care.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on June 16, 2026, with a quorum present and first approved a consent calendar containing several bills, while a number of other measures were pulled and set for later hearings. The committee then heard AB 1662, which would require notice to the DMV when a defendant receives diversion in certain driving-related cases so DMV points can still be assessed. The author and supporters, including police chiefs, road safety advocates, district attorneys, cities, and AAA, said the bill closes a loophole identified in reporting on dangerous drivers; one opposition witness from the Western Center on Law and Poverty objected. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation to Transportation and kept on call. The committee next heard AB 1741, which would allow sexual battery committed during an unlawful residential intrusion to be charged as a wobbler. The author and supporters, including district attorneys, sheriffs, and victim advocates, argued current law leaves a gap when an intruder sexually touches a victim in a home without meeting other felony elements. Public defenders opposed, saying existing burglary, attempted rape, and other statutes already cover the conduct and warning the bill was overbroad. The bill passed on a due pass as amended recommendation to Appropriations. AB 2760 followed, allowing counties with an Office of Inspector General to expand oversight to probation and animal control. The author and a San Diego supervisor’s letter framed it as optional local oversight to address capacity limits, while probation chiefs and Fresno County opposed, citing existing oversight and concerns about duplication and confidentiality. The bill passed to Local Government, with some members voting no. The committee then heard AB 1753, the Survivor Pathways to Safety Act, which would strengthen firearm relinquishment and protection-order enforcement, expand remote hearing access, and add certain offenses to firearm prohibitions. Supporters, including Giffords, prosecutors, police chiefs, emergency physicians, and victim advocates, said it would make restraining orders more effective and close enforcement gaps; gun rights groups opposed on due process and Second Amendment grounds. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 1743, by Assembly Member Wicks, would allow local governments and certain universities to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy analysis. Supporters said the data would help identify trafficking patterns and improve evidence-based policy, while NRA and gun rights groups warned about privacy, misuse, and stigmatizing lawful dealers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, the committee heard AB 2164, the Care Without Fear Act, which would strengthen California’s shield-law protections for abortion providers by limiting extradition cooperation and extending reciprocal protections to providers from other shield states. Health care and reproductive rights groups supported it; the California Family Council opposed, raising concerns about abortion and gender-affirming care. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 2664, the Safe Worship Zone Act, would create an eight-foot personal buffer within 100 feet of a place of worship’s entrances and exits to prevent harassment or intimidation. Jewish organizations and the ADL supported it as a response to harassment at synagogues and other houses of worship, while the ACLU, CAIR, and others opposed on First Amendment grounds and urged narrower alternatives. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2122 would prohibit bench warrants for Vehicle Code infractions and allow noncustodial warrants for other infractions; the author and supporters said it would reduce criminalization of poverty and unnecessary arrests, while the transcript cuts off during support testimony and no vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Violence Protection Act, changing the defined term domestic abuse to abuse and expanding the
• the Family Violence Protection Act, changing the defined term domestic abuse to abuse and expanding
• Abuse and Neglect Act and the Family Violence Protection Act to require notice to a designated authority
• Family Violence Protection Act, defining credible threat for the purposes of a court's issuance of a
• and the Cultural Properties Protection Act.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and will act decisively to protect<00:42:31.760> his<00:42:32.000> communities.
• life down protecting their community. life down protecting their community.
• protect people's rights, not to protect protect people's rights, not to protect workers<01:09:06.719
• offenders and to protect the innocent. offenders and to protect the innocent.
• constitutional protections. constitutional protections.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we will do above all else is protect our children.
• We must protect all those who use California highways daily.
• AB 439 makes two small changes to the California Coastal Act.
• Assembly Bill 631 by Assemblymember Lee, an act relating to animals.
• Assembly Bill 792 by Assemblymember Lee, an act relating to courts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wyoming has the opportunity to act proactively to protect the life-saving work of pregnancy centers before
• House Bill 3, the Care Act, is critically important because it protects pregnancy care centers from compelled
• <00:30:34.559> to opportunity to act proactively to opportunity to act proactively to protect
• support House Bill 3, the Care Act. support House Bill 3, the Care Act.
• Um these protections speech protections.

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It commemorates 50 years of coastal protection in California by recognizing both the Coastal Act and
• the Coastal Conservancy Act that protect critical resources and public access.
• Protection Information Center, and the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin.
• SB10 will enhance the state's ability to protect Californians and create a client.
• This is about accountability, representation, and protecting the health of our community.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several climate, coastal, and air quality measures. Senator Laird presented SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy Act, and SJR 12 opposing the federal offshore oil and gas leasing program; both drew broad support from environmental groups, local governments, and other advocates, with no opposition on the record. Senator Padilla presented SB 10, which would require certain state agencies to include gender impact assessments in climate planning, with supporters arguing climate harms fall disproportionately on women and LGBTQ+ communities; it also drew support from environmental and equity organizations and no formal opposition at the hearing. Padilla also presented SB 675 to restructure the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board and expand public disclosure of permits, enforcement actions, and related information. Supporters, including the City of Imperial, residents, and environmental groups, said the district needs more representative governance and transparency because Imperial County faces severe air pollution and health burdens. Opponents, including the district, business groups, and agricultural interests, argued the bill would impose unfunded mandates, create administrative burdens, and could slow investment and permitting in the county. The bill was amended to remove a Title V permitting prohibition, and the committee ultimately approved it on a roll call vote. Senator Allen presented SB 1229, which would limit use of the Coastal Act’s disaster-rebuild exemption when a replacement structure would newly impede coastal public access, aiming to prevent investors from exploiting post-disaster rebuilding rules. Support came from Sierra Club, Surfrider, and other coastal advocates, who said the bill protects public access and sensitive coastal resources while still allowing homeowners to rebuild. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which included several measures such as ACR 157, SB 899, SB 949, SB 963, SB 1008, SB 1207, SB 1428, and SJR 5. Final roll calls showed SCR 136, SJR 12, SB 10, SB 675, and SB 1229 all advancing out of committee, along with the consent items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1112, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Labor Pool Act.
• Senate Bill 1112, relating to the Florida Labor Pool Act, strengthens protections to ensure labor pools
• Senate Bill 1112, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Labor Pool Act. Is there debate?
• Environmental Protection.
• We are protecting free speech. You may not like it.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing Senate Bill 948, the Workplace Employees Boundaries Act, or the WEB Act.
• WEB Act.
• Procedures Act.
• , or oppose a violation of the act.
• The hospitals have done more to protect their bottom line than to protect the patients.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor met with a quorum, adopted the June 4 minutes, and then took up Senate Bill 948, the Workplace Employees Boundaries Act (WEB Act), after adopting an S-1 substitute by a 4-1 vote. Senator Geis presented the bill as a Michigan “right to disconnect” measure that would generally bar employers from requiring employees to access or respond to work communications outside usual work hours, allow employees to set availability hours, prohibit retaliation, direct LEO to write rules, and provide complaint and enforcement procedures with exceptions for emergencies and existing collective bargaining agreements. In questioning, Senator Albert raised concerns about how the bill would apply in small businesses and practical situations like staffing calls, school notifications, and emergency-like circumstances; Geis said the bill was meant to protect non-work time while preserving emergency carve-outs and informational messages. NFIB’s Amanda Fisher opposed the bill, arguing it was too broad, difficult to define across industries and schedules, potentially duplicative of existing wage-and-hour law, and likely to create confusion and reduce flexibility, especially for small employers. The committee then shifted to testimony on health care workforce and labor disputes. Nurses from Teamsters Local 332 described a 291-day strike at Henry Ford/Genesis over safe staffing, return-to-work terms, and alleged union-busting, saying the hospital’s staffing levels and use of replacement workers threatened patient safety and could displace experienced specialty nurses. Michigan Nurses Association president Aaron McCormick and Marquette RN union president Christina Hanson said Michigan’s problem is not a shortage of licensed nurses but of nurses willing to stay in overworked, hostile workplaces; they cited retaliation, slow grievance/arbitration processes, hospital consolidation, rural OB closures, and unsafe staffing ratios as drivers of burnout and departures. They urged stronger protections and faster dispute resolution, especially given the limited effectiveness of the NLRB and delays in labor processes. Additional testimony came from UAW Local 4911’s Kim Wheeler, who said UMH Sparrow was outsourcing two low-paid support groups—patient transport/housekeeping and food and nutrition—despite their importance to hospital operations and despite a recently ratified contract, and asked for transparency and limits on corporate outsourcing. Don Hill of SEIU Health Care Michigan described chronic understaffing in nursing homes, mandatory overtime, burnout, retaliation fears, and the need for enforceable patient-to-staff ratios and stronger wage support; he also noted that home care workers are negotiating first contracts after restored bargaining rights. The committee took no vote on SB 948 beyond adopting the substitute, heard extensive testimony, and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• A statutory designation would ensure that state regulators understand and act expeditiously to protect
• The bill is a common-sense measure to protect kids.
• , but to protect property.
• We also want to protect adults. We're not here just to protect children.
• Act permits.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• be included to protect our victims. be included to protect our victims.
• <00:34:28.000> relating Representative Danset, an act relating Representative Danset, an act
• Bill 696, Representative Rayborn, an act Bill 696, Representative Rayborn, an act relating<00:34
• act relating to commercial surrogacy. act relating to commercial surrogacy.
• Public Protection, House Bill 644. Public Protection, House Bill 644.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 96 members present, approved the prior journal, excused absences, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate clerk reported passage of Senate Bills 39, 70, 80, 127, and 154 and requested concurrence. The House then took up several bills on third reading. House Bill 168, relating to boating under the influence, was explained as “Keegan’s Law.” The sponsor said it would require law enforcement to seek a search warrant for blood testing of boat operators and improve notification so Fish and Wildlife officers are alerted more quickly after 911 calls involving incidents on waterways. House Committee Substitute 2 was adopted, and the bill passed 88-0. House Bill 455, relating to artificial intelligence and declaring an emergency, was amended by committee substitute and two floor amendments. Supporters said it clarifies that AI may not perform direct therapy, make independent therapeutic decisions, generate treatment plans without professional review, or detect emotions/mental state, while still allowing therapists to use AI as a tool. It passed 88-7. House Bill 185, relating to employment and occupational licensing for people with felony records, was described as allowing applicants to seek licensing before completing education and requiring a clear connection between an offense and the occupation; it passed 95-0. House Bill 249, relating to involuntary commitment, was explained as closing a gap in the law for mentally incompetent defendants accused of felony sex offenses; House Floor Amendment 1 broadened the qualifying offenses to all felony sex offenses under Chapter 510, and the bill passed 94-0. After the floor action, the House received House Bill 1 back from committee for second reading and heard announcements, including committee meeting notices and a birthday recognition. A member also gave a Black history tribute to Garrett A. Morgan, highlighting his inventions and civic contributions. The House introduced a slate of new bills and resolutions, including measures on high-acuity youth medical treatment, data privacy, municipal utility service, tax credits for employers, campaign finance, infantile seizure disorder, commercial surrogacy, dentistry, paid leave for state employees, crimes and punishments, postnuptial agreements, local government, land use, alcoholic beverages, and several resolutions. The Committee on Committees and Rules Committee then reported referrals and posted bills for the next regular orders, floor amendments were introduced, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026.