Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move forward with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Caitlin O'Neill at the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Our office has an ombuds division.
• Terrellina Pena, Chief Operations Officer for the Yurok Tribe.
• Within one hour, I had 13 officers from four different agencies in my office attempting to locate this

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety heard several items focused on youth safety and law enforcement resources. The committee first took up tribal youth diversion programs, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office describing the Tribal Youth Diversion Grant Program and its two cohorts of grantees funded through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Tribal representatives from the Yurok Tribe and San Pasqual Band of Indians testified that diversion, tribal courts, school partnerships, mentoring, and culturally grounded services helped reduce truancy and justice-system involvement, but that short-term funding interruptions and limited capacity prevented them from serving all youth in need. Committee members discussed the importance of early intervention, tribal-state court collaboration, and possible misidentification of Native youth in the justice system. The committee then heard the California Highway Patrol’s overview of surge operations supporting local crime suppression, including organized retail theft. CHP reported that its surge teams have been used in response to mutual aid requests and cited arrests, stolen vehicle recoveries, and firearm seizures in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Members asked about demand for these operations and whether CHP could meet requests without affecting other duties; CHP said requests have increased and are accepted when resources allow. The committee also heard CHP’s request for a $5 million General Fund augmentation and 12 positions for its Computer Crimes Investigation Unit to make child sexual abuse material and human trafficking investigations a higher priority. CHP cited rising cybertip volumes, a case involving AI-generated CSAM, and the need for more investigators and forensic capacity. A larger portion of the hearing focused on the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and a separate $5 million ongoing General Fund proposal for Cal OES to continue the program. Task force commanders from Sacramento, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and Fresno described rapidly growing cybertip volumes, heavy caseloads, forensic backlogs, and the need for training and equipment for affiliate agencies statewide. They emphasized that the ICAC model relies on local partnerships, deconfliction, and subject-matter expertise to identify victims, execute warrants, and rescue children, and they gave examples of cases that led to arrests and child rescues. Members generally supported the work but raised questions about overlap between CHP and ICAC efforts, the need for broader statewide collaboration, and whether more resources should be directed to task forces and victim services. A public commenter also urged expansion of homeless youth exploitation services and the California Youth Crisis Line.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s going to be a salary that is assigned to support staff, office structure, office space, the variety
• of, uh, office structure, office space, a variety of functions that go to support that.
• He said the new cabinet officer would participate just like the existing cabinet officers.
• It's a cabinet-level office, not a department-level office. This is... ...an appointed one.
• It's a cabinet-level office, not a department-level office.

Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• can can handle the load I didn't offices can can handle the load I didn't know<00:10:01.320> where
• , but some of these cases the AG's office did go after on larger scales, you know, when there was fraud
• , but some of these cases the AG's office did go after on larger scales, you know, when there was fraud
• , but some of these cases the AG's office did go after on larger scales, you know, when there was fraud
• Dustin spent some time in the office explaining some of the reasons and issues with it as well,

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:06 SB24 Discussion: 01:08 SB24 Vote: 13:22 SB18 Discussion: 14:40 SB18 Vote: 21:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked with the governor's office. We worked with the Senate.
• So say, for instance, somebody files a complaint against an officer—a law enforcement officer—for use
• Does TCOLE collect the name of the officer?
• And there were hundreds of officers on scene that day. All of them were...
• But this already exists for 26,000 officers.

Bills: HB17, HB16, SB 10, HB27, HB23, SB 15, SB 18, HB 17, HB 16, SB 10, HB 27, HB 23, SB 15, SB 18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't questioned. were handled by the Attorney General's office.
• Attorney General's office. I don't know how many they are.
• are... officers who report to that head.
• The local elected official will send it to our office.
• And then they just send it along to our office.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• University Chancellor's Office.
• The Chancellor's office.
• at the CSU Chancellor's Office.
• Sorry, to the Chancellor's office.
• the CSU Chancellor's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:09.720> of<00:38:09.880> the administrative office of the administrative office
• <00:46:35.440> uh support our court security officers uh support our court security officers
• <04:06:48.520> in to keep the the ombudsman's office in to keep the the ombudsman's office
• <04:46:29.320> we creation of the ombudsman's office we creation of the ombudsman's office
• <04:46:43.958> of hb11 which reauthorizes the office of hb11 which reauthorizes the office

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so those, the amount of officers that are available.
• Ukraine law enforcement officers, it is less lethal.
• Officers possibly get charged with aggravated assault.
• I can get back to your office on that specific question.
• Since he's been in office, we've arrested two people.

Bills: HB259, HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• . officers. officers.
• office until the Senate has taken action to acquit the officer.
• I'm sorry, nonfeasance in office. I'm sorry, nonfeasance in office.
• his office represents.
• . officers. officers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we also get audited by the state auditor's office.
• And that those individuals are licensed peace officers.
• And we're moving along to the Office of Public Insurance counsel.
• Please follow up with my office.
• And Lance McMillan, Chief Financial Officer with the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if a person makes a false report about a police officer, not only does the officer have to
• about a a police officer not only does<00:17:31.840> the<00:17:32.039> officer<00:17:32.520
• <00:18:10.480> in report like that does to an officer in report like that does to an officer
• for police officers who are unfairly accused.
• <01:06:25.640> office basically an entire Legal Office office basically an entire Legal Office

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the Office of the General Counsel.
• The General Counsel... also supervises the Office of Ethics and the Office of Information Affairs, which
• Many times, including when I was General Counsel, because the Office of General Counsel has an office
• how farm loans were handled in the office?
• office?

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starns, my office now owns a building, an office building rather than paying exorbitant rent.
• This office has never been like this.
• It's the best... ...before me has said, this office has never been like this.
• That hangs in a prominent place in my office. It's my Zoom background.
• We're going to administer that through her office in the 19th Public Defender's Office in East Baton

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Member, House of Representatives, as shown by the records of this office.
• The oath of office will now be administered to the members-elect.
• Justice Kennedy, please approach the well to administer the oaths of office.
• Administering the oath of office will be the Honorable Justice Curiel.
• Administering the oath of office today will be Justice Curio. Mr.

Summary: The House convened for its organization session, opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence, the members-elect were seated, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The chamber also recognized the Governor, Cabinet members, former speakers, former members, and other guests in attendance. The main business of the session was the election of House leadership and adoption of the chamber’s rules. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated by the Democratic caucus and delivered remarks emphasizing constituent service, opposition oversight, and priorities such as hurricane recovery, insurance affordability, reproductive rights, gun violence, education, and poverty. Representative Daniel Perez was nominated by the Republican caucus, seconded, and then elected Speaker by unanimous vote after a motion to close nominations and dispense with a roll call. Perez was sworn in and said his priority would be serving Floridians through practical action, fiscal discipline, and reforms that reduce bureaucracy and special-interest influence. The House then adopted House Resolution 10, establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 20, establishing joint legislative rules. Representative Gottlieb spoke in opposition to the rules, arguing that recent changes restricted debate and reduced deliberation. The House also appointed a committee to notify the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced caucus leadership selections, including Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore and Driskell as Democratic minority leader. The session concluded with administrative motions authorizing technical corrections to the rules, spreading the organization-session remarks upon the journal, and adjourning sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• it nor any of its corporate officers it nor any of its corporate officers have<01:02:21.680>
• <01:15:14.600> of out of time, but the Office of out of time, but the Office of Legislative
• <01:18:27.400> of leadership established the Office of leadership established the Office of
• Office. Office. >> Yeah.<01:19:33.240> Thank<01:19:33.480> you.
• Attorney's office.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a stand-alone training for student resource officers.
• So, like you would have the officer that would go through their basic training.
• And once they become certified officers, then they can... ...basic training.
• That information is submitted to our office... ...that information is submitted to our office.
• and apply for a job showing as a certified officer.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a standalone training for student resource officers.
• So, like you would have the officer that would go through...
• That information is submitted to our office.
• for a job showing as a certified officer.
• for a job showing as a certified officer.

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs. Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• offices some of the functions the office offices some of the functions the office performs<00:04
• <00:05:08.720> complied and to determine if the office complied and to determine if the office
• Our recommendations for the office included ensuring the office assigns an asset number to all acquisitions
• Information Officer, or CIO.
• to the office.

Bills: HF1060, HF1062

Keywords: sports facilities, Minnesota, legislative commission, financial oversight, accountability, HF1062, driver and vehicle systems oversight committee, MNLARS, VTRS, vehicle title and registration system, driver's license system, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, MN.IT, legislative oversight, transportation finance, state government, committee repeal, sunset provision, information technology audit, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Diana Senness with the Office committee.
• Next we have Ely Lane, executive officer Next we have Ely Lane, executive officer for<00:24:59.480
• <00:52:54.000> of testimony with comments from Office of testimony with comments from Office
• > Uh office.
• Uh office.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was: we have to make sure that people in public office don't use their public office to benefit
• President, in your office before, in Senate President pro tempore Brodeur's office.
• Lauren Jones from the President's Office.
• the office matrix.
• the office matrix.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.