Transcript Highlights:

• [No substantive transcript; non-speech audio/brief interjections only.] Senator Stivers. Aye.
• he meets in the hallways of the Capitol and the annex, from legislators to fellow staff, to those employees
• :15:06.840><c> engage</c><01:15:07.480><c> in</c><01:15:07.640><c> protected</c><01:15:08.320><c> speech
• </c><01:15:09.120><c> and</c> to engage in protected speech and to engage in protected speech and expressive
• in</c><01:22:55.000><c> this</c><01:22:55.760><c> body</c> Because nobody in this body, under the speech

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dike was not given to soaring speeches on the floor or in committee.
• Don't get me wrong, she made great speeches and her comments were solid, always conveying her values,
• Of course, ban the box for public and private employees, and this next step was just to ban it for the
• I'll be brief because there have been so many wonderful comments and speeches.
• um Carrie diick and I were speeches um Carrie diick and I were office<01:17:26.600><c> mates</c><01:

Transcript Highlights:

• to hear some people object to the language, which I was shocked, but that's... you have freedom of speech
• > freedom</c><00:37:40.119><c> of</c><00:37:40.440><c> I</c><00:37:40.480><c> mean</c> freedom of speech
• freedom of I mean freedom of speech freedom of I mean that's<00:37:40.760><c> just</c><00:37:41.319>
• So I think that's a high barrier for an employee to know what that is.
• what was presented to me did not persuade me to want to change that. that's a high barrier for an employee

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's, yes, the governor said that in his State of the State speech from a couple of years ago
• I would have to go back and listen to the speech.
• So employee benefits is next, still has to five.
• And it is what's needed to fund the pension obligations for the state and our employees.
• And I say cut—these aren't current employees. This is a governor's recommendation.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion of the chair’s House budget substitute, especially House Bill 2 for elementary and secondary education and House Bill 3 for higher education. The chair said the operating budget leaves roughly $300 million in reserve, explained several cuts and restorations, and described proposed changes to child care, including cutting enhancement payments and keeping attendance-based rather than enrollment-based subsidy payments. Representative Fogle objected to the child care cuts and the proposed language limiting the department’s move to prospective payment and enrollment-based reimbursement; State Budget Director Dan Hogg testified that the governor’s office still intended to move to payment on enrollment in May if the budget language did not block it, while prospective payment remained under review because of federal funding concerns. The chair also explained a restriction on Parents as Teachers services for children already in public pre-K, and members debated whether that would reduce duplication or improperly limit services. The chair further proposed a new competitive Title I innovation grant program funded by a reallocation of some Title I dollars, with questions raised about what services would be reduced to offset it. The bulk of the meeting focused on a major higher education funding overhaul in House Bill 3. The chair and vice chair proposed replacing the current base-plus model with an FTE-based formula that would distribute the same overall state funding according to student credit hours, with community colleges funded on a 12-hour FTE, four-year undergraduate students on a 15-hour FTE, and graduate enrollment discussed as a separate issue. They said the goal was to make funding follow students rather than institutions and to reduce long-standing disparities between schools. Several members supported the idea as overdue and more transparent, while others warned it was being done too quickly and could harm institutions with high-cost programs, research missions, or smaller enrollments. Concerns were raised about possible closures, accreditation problems, and unintended effects on workforce programs such as nursing, engineering, and technical training. The chair and vice chair said there was no intent to force consolidation, but acknowledged that some institutions would gain and others would lose under the new model. Members also questioned how the formula would treat research and doctoral funding, especially at the University of Missouri, and whether graduate programs were properly counted. The chair said some special-purpose lines were retained, but a large portion of MU’s research and doctoral funding was folded into the broader pool and redistributed through the FTE model. Several members asked for clarification on whether graduate hours were counted at nine credits, and the chair said he was not certain and would seek follow-up from staff or the department. Community college representatives were discussed as having unanimously opposed the recommendation, and the chair noted that the institutions were briefed only shortly before the hearing. No votes were taken during the exchange, and the committee appeared to be gathering testimony and concerns ahead of markup and future action on the budget bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• when we already face shortages of medical examiners, this creates a lot of legal risk for public employees
• This creates a lot of legal risk for public employees simply for doing their jobs.
• to give me and everybody in this Senate floor the opportunity to speak their mind, the freedom of speech
• of association and prevent them from participating in activity that we do not prevent any other employee
• And so whether it's through employment organizations or even just free speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last biennium, the legislature targeted certain political speech and attempted to ban certain speech
• under the category of foreign-influenced speech.
• Our concern is that any investigation would basically capture all the city employees.
• This is not all city employees.
• This is not all city employees.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• Or any agent, employee, officer now.
• We shouldn't do that to our state employees. We shouldn't do that to our state employees.
• </c> insurance for their employees insurance for their employees and<04:44:12.400><c> to</c><04:44:12.958
• ,</c> have three to five employees, have three to five employees, do<04:49:08.320><c> you</c><04:49:08.798
• </c> businesses provide their employees businesses provide their employees insurance.<04:50:29.760><c

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones that are eligible dealing with the specific resource room teacher or the speech pathologist
• The ones that are eligible dealing with the specific resource room teacher or the speech pathologist
• The ones that are eligible dealing with the specific resource room teacher or the speech pathologist
• The ones that are eligible dealing with the specific resource room teacher or the speech pathologist
• </c> Medicaid if it's a certain speech issue. Medicaid if it's a certain speech issue.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• How will this affect the employees, the men and women that keep the lights on?
• PG&E's employees and Edison's direct employees don't do all the hardening and all the...
• PG&E's employees and Edison's direct employees don't do all the hardening and all of the infrastructure
• It's actually state workers, state employees, teachers. So it's the whole picture.
• It's actually state workers, state employees, teachers. So it's the whole picture.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an informational hearing on wildfire issues in SB 492, with Senator Becker presenting the bill as a follow-on to the SB 254 wildfire report. Becker said the measure is intended to center wildfire survivors through a faster claims-payment process, block hedge funds and private equity from profiting off wildfire-related claims, reduce or eliminate executive bonuses after utility-caused fires, improve wildfire risk data sharing through a statewide data commons, and strengthen community wildfire preparedness planning. TURN supported the bill as an important first step, emphasizing priority for victims, limits on third-party claims, and community hardening. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the bill did not go far enough on structural reform and could worsen utility financial stability, borrowing costs, rates, and jobs. Representatives of utility workers warned that higher financing costs and possible downgrades could lead to major job losses, reduced utility investment, and even bankruptcy risks. The California Building Industry Association argued the bill could slow utility infrastructure work needed for housing and clean-energy development. Other members questioned whether the fast-pay system would truly help survivors, whether it should be mandatory, how deadlines and litigation stays would work, and how executive compensation reductions would be implemented. Becker and staff responded that the bill preserves the right to sue while requiring a fast-pay application, shortens timelines compared with prior utility programs, and uses an independent process. They also argued the estimated rate impacts were being overstated and that the bill still leaves room for additional affordability and structural reforms in future legislation. No vote was taken; the chair adjourned the hearing early to return to floor session, and public comment was directed to the committee website.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have stand-in recess. recess e e e e e e e [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
• [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] Okay, welcome back.
• I said, how do you pay your employees?
• </c><02:46:12.040><c> and</c> said how do you pay your employees and said how do you pay your employees

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , Without final passage, House 4962, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosha, an employee
• At the request of Representative Sauter of Bellingham, would the members, guests, and employees please
• First, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Somerset on his maiden speech a little prematurely

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without final passage, House 4962, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosha, an employee
• At the request of Representative Sauter of Bellingham, would the members, guests, and employees please
• First, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Somerset on his maiden speech a little prematurely

Transcript Highlights:

• the agency processes, and in some cases they're so technical that we have a whole team of FDACS employees
• the agency processes, and in some cases they're so technical that we have a whole team of FDACS employees
• I'm a speech-language pathologist, specializing in autism, and I'm also here representing special needs

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee heard House Bill 651, described by sponsors as the Florida Farm Bill and a comprehensive FDACS agency package. The bill combined technical agency updates with several policy provisions, including changes to water additive rules, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminal penalties related to drones over agricultural land, mail theft, and retail fuel theft, updates to disaster recovery loan programs, an FFA scholarship, school infrastructure provisions, land purchase authority for converted agricultural land, and a Florida Farmer Financial Protection Act addressing ESG-related banking practices. A major portion of the discussion focused on the bill’s fluoride language, with supporters arguing for local choice and consumer consent and opponents warning about public health impacts and loss of local control. Members also questioned the C-4 registry language and whether it was duplicative or could affect organizations’ status. Public testimony was split. Opponents included Florida for All and the Florida Dental Association, with testimony arguing the bill protected agribusiness interests and that removing fluoride would harm dental health, especially for low-income families. Proponents included Heritage Action, Heartland Impact, and several individuals who argued the bill protected farmers from ESG-driven banking restrictions and supported informed consent and the removal of fluoride from public water. Several agricultural and advocacy groups also waved in support. During debate, some members praised portions of the bill such as housing for agricultural workers, drone penalties, and school-related provisions, but said they could not support the fluoride preemption or the C-4 language. Others supported the fluoride provision as a matter of individual and local choice. On final passage, the committee reported HB 651 favorably. The vote was 11-4, with Chair Esposito, Vice Chair Botana, Representatives Barnaby, Benaroch, Black, Mayfield, Mooney, Plasencia, Salzman, and Weinberger voting yes, and Representatives Alvarez, Bartleman, Henson, and Rainer voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got 55 employees, and I have currently got about 20 employees who are just terribly excited to
• reward the employees whose futures rely on them.
• People need to know more about employee ownership.
• employees whose futures rely on them.
• People need to know more about employee ownership.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held its first public hearing of the session, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola with Sen. Barry Finegold. After housekeeping on livestreaming, virtual testimony, and written testimony deadlines, the committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on S. 303/H. 503/S. 305 and H. 491, all related to worker ownership and business succession. Testimony generally supported expanding employee ownership, right of first refusal for workers, and incentives for owners to sell to employee groups. Speakers from worker co-ops, technical assistance organizations, lenders, and business owners said these measures could preserve local businesses, protect jobs, build worker wealth, and help communities retain valued services and storefronts. On S. 303, Vincent Lawrence Dixon described a proposal to create tools such as a special community trustee, right of first refusal, and community institution landmarks to help communities preserve important local properties and uses when owners cease operations. On H. 491 and the employee-ownership bills, witnesses including Matthew Page Lieberman, Caleb from Circus Cooperative Cafe, Sarah Acefa of Dorchester Food Co-op, Halsey Platt, Kevin O'Brien, John Abrams, Virginia Berman, Stacey Cordero, Adrian Roman, Alex Popali, Adam Trott, and Ethan Tupelo emphasized that worker-owned businesses can be more resilient, support democratic participation, and help with business transitions as owners retire or close. Committee members asked questions about the tax incentive threshold, the timing and mechanics of the right of first refusal, and whether the bills would affect sale prices or business succession. Rep. Kristen Kassner also testified on H. 490, which would create a special commission to inventory the Commonwealth’s built environment, infrastructure, permitting, and land-use barriers to help Massachusetts adapt vacant or underused spaces for the next economy. She said the commission would help identify opportunities for housing, climate and energy tech, advanced manufacturing, and other uses, and members discussed commission composition and data sources. At the end of the hearing, the chair read a series of additional bills into the record, noted an upcoming Economic Development Expo, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
• [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]

Bills: HR44 , HR43 , HR42 , HR33 , HR144 , HR164

Keywords: committee appointments, House of Representatives, agriculture committee, foreign affairs committee, natural resources committee, science and technology committee, member elections, legislative process, inauguration, Congress, House attendance, ceremony, legislative session, inaugural ceremony, President, Vice President, adjournment, committees, membership, election

Transcript Highlights:

• Dairy Month, we also recognize the men and women who make this industry possible: the family farms, employees
• I just want to thank our colleague for her moving speech here on this resolution.
• Speaker, I just want to thank our colleague for her moving speech here on this resolution.
• Holy cow, what great speeches those were.
• Speaker and members, today I rise to recognize long-standing or long-time Rules Committee employee Mukhtar

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dairy Month, we also recognize the men and women who make this industry possible: the family farms, employees
• I just want to thank our colleague for her moving speech here on this resolution.
• Speaker, I just want to thank our colleague for her moving speech here on this resolution.
• Holy cow, what great speeches those were.
• Speaker and members, today I rise to recognize long-standing Rules Committee employee Mukhtar Ali.

Transcript Highlights:

• person can be employed by a company that has a contractual relationship with the board on which that employee
• serves. a company that has a contractual relationship with the board on which that employee serves.
• I would think it's free speech that puts it up in the paper.
• And they could say, well, there just seems like a free speech element to this.
• And they could say, well, there just seems like a free speech element to this.

Bills: HB88 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB486 , HB529 , HB544 , HB639 , HB996 , HB1036 , HB1071 , HB1113

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: local law, special bill, legislative process, transparency, election amendment, lobbying, public service, ethics, statewide officials, compensation, disclosure requirements, government employment, financial disclosure, public servants, immediate family, psychology, telepsychology, interjurisdictional practice, compact, licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really appreciate everybody's time and having me to give the speech. Thank you so much.
• have dealt with unplanned absences due to child care challenges, while nearly a third have had an employee
• Many of these industries whose employees rely on subsidies require nontraditional hours, either late,
• So that's my speech. That's a good speech. Good afternoon.

Summary: The hearing focused first on how wildfires and other disasters affect child care providers, families, and early education infrastructure. State officials from the Department of Social Services and Department of Education described disaster response and preparedness efforts, including shelter coordination, licensing outreach, emergency waivers, distribution of supplies, and the statewide child care disaster plan. Testimony from providers and advocates emphasized major gaps in recovery funding, insurance coverage, rebuilding support, mental health services, and coordination with local rebuild plans. Several witnesses urged more dedicated disaster-recovery funding for child care facilities and suggested statutory changes, including allowing greater flexibility for rebuilding costs and requiring early childhood programs to be included in local disaster planning. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on child care. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said enforcement activity is causing families to keep children home, disrupting continuity of care, reducing enrollment, and creating fear and trauma for children and providers. They argued that immigrant and mixed-status families need clearer protections, privacy safeguards, legal support, trauma-informed guidance, and safe-haven policies for child care settings. Speakers also stressed that the child care workforce is heavily immigrant and that recent state laws such as AB 49 and AB 495 will require funding, training, and technical assistance to implement effectively. Public commenters, including child care providers, described personal experiences with fire damage, displacement, permit delays, lost income, and the emotional toll of serving families during crises. Others described how immigration enforcement has made parents afraid to attend events, drop off children, or remain connected to providers. Committee members repeatedly noted that child care is often overlooked in emergencies and asked state officials how child care systems are being integrated into disaster planning and how local and state agencies can better coordinate. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninety percent of individuals with Parkinson's have or will have a speech or voice impairment.
• Telehealth speech therapy services are scheduled for March 2025.
• [Music] Number 1044. telea Health speech therapy services telea Health speech therapy services scheduled
• Providing employee housing is essential. Mahalo.
• Providing employee housing is essential. Mahalo.