Transcript Highlights:

• Can you imagine this young lady and her family arrived in America when she was just an infant and actually
• Can you imagine this young lady and her family arrived in America when she was just an infant and actually
• and information science, working at the Caltech Library.
• and information science, working at the Caltech Library. in library and information science working
• at the Caltech Library.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the January 5–8, 2026 journals, and granted several requests to remove measures from the inactive file, including S.J.R. 9, SB 626, and SCR 89. The main floor item was SCR 106 by Senator Choi, designating January 13 as Korean American Day in California. Senator Choi and many members spoke in strong support, highlighting the history of Korean immigration, the contributions of Korean Americans in business, public service, culture, and civic life, and the significance of Korean American communities across the state. The resolution passed 38–0. After the vote, Senator Choi introduced visiting Korean American guests, including the Consul General of Korea in San Francisco and community leaders, and the chamber welcomed them. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming meetings of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Senate Human Services Committee. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memorials. Senators Umberg, Allen, Pérez, and Menjivar honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, the 19 people who died in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, and Sergeant Adrian Carrillo. Members described the victims’ lives, community ties, and the broader impact of the fires and other tragedies, and asked the Senate to adjourn in their memory. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m., with the Senate in recess until then.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I asked you to imagine the potential questions that would come from parents.
• </c> our school libraries. Pretty clear. our school libraries. Pretty clear.
• </c><00:46:44.000><c> This</c><00:46:44.240><c> strictly</c> our school libraries.
• This strictly our school libraries.
• </c><00:50:12.000><c> multiple</c> been through his public library multiple been through his public library

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an amendment on behalf of the Minnesota Library Association.
• It also cleans up the governing aspect of working with it in all of those library areas.
• </c> Minnesota Library Association. Minnesota Library Association.
• </c><00:36:34.920><c> system</c><00:36:36.080><c> um</c> Minnesota's library system um Minnesota's library
• </c> working with it in all of those library working with it in all of those library areas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and we're partnering with libraries and we're partnering with libraries around<00:17:23.880><c>
• I would imagine that would be the case. Correct, Chair McDonald, that is the case.
• </c><01:02:22.599><c> it's</c> thought into each one and I imagine it's thought into each one and I imagine
• </c><01:08:24.159><c> and</c> DNR passes available in libraries and other places.
• besides the library I mean libraries<01:30:34.520><c> are</c><01:30:34.679><c> great</c><01:30:34.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The program provides 33,000 State Park Library passes to more than 1,100 libraries across the state,
• including tribal libraries as well.
• The library pass is the only free pass available to anyone with a library card, and half of the population
• Library and the East?
• I don't think having, on average, three passes in a library—because you said 11,000 libraries, about

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't always mean when a book is taken out of a... public school library, a city library, a county
• This was in a library, school library, in a public library.
• of the Library of Congress?
• Does the library lose funding?
• Does that library lose funding?

Bills: SJR18, SCR5, SCR13, SCR25, SB3, SB6, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17, SB18, SB35, SB388, SB412, SB441, SB495, SB666, SB687, SB706, SB740, SB815, SB842, SB917, SB925, SB995, SB1006, SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1902, SJR36, SJR18, SJR12, SCR13, SCR25, SCR5, SCR22, SB565, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB765, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB290, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB412, SB441, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB917, SB925, SB388, SB1902, SB1121, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB35, SB6, SB815, SB3, SB1281, SB1379, SB1300, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB1451, SB1061, SB15, SB65, SB241, SB304, SB402, SB499, SB621, SB974, SB1023, SB1024, SB1025, SB1106, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB400, SB609, SB1447, SB670, SB502, SB427, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1555, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB893, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB509, SB985, SB965, SB17, SB1119, SB1505, SB12, SB24, SB57, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1268, SCR12, SCR24, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB840

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• library facilities, etc.
• Those grantees are Tyler Public Library, Tracy Public Library, Mountain Iron Public Library, St.
• Library. The state's total of 750,000 Library.
• </c> two Carnegie Library upgrades. two Carnegie Library upgrades.
• </c> their libraries. their libraries.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page three has the libraries changes.
• Page three has the libraries changes.
• Page three has the libraries changes.
• Page three, uh has the libraries 43.
• imagine imagine um<01:22:20.080><c> is</c><01:22:20.400><c> rough.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• What we call destination and libraries.
• It's all on our forms library, so you can go look at that.
• </c><00:41:26.560><c> Um</c> library, so you can go look at that.
• Um library, so you can go look at that.
• So, you you can imagine how this work. So, you you can imagine how that<00:53:33.920><c> happens.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met with a quorum, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Mike Proctor of Evolve Kentucky on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Proctor described Evolve Kentucky as a nonprofit formed in 2016 to promote EV adoption and charger deployment, said the group has helped place more than 135 chargers at 65 locations, and reported that Kentucky EV registrations have grown rapidly but still represent about 1% of the state’s roughly 3 million vehicles. He also outlined the group’s view that EV drivers and charger operators already contribute to state revenue through annual vehicle fees, charger taxes, utility taxes, and related business taxes, and cited figures showing rising revenue collections as EV adoption increases. A major theme of the presentation was that EV owners are paying their “fair share” rather than being overcharged. Proctor said the current $126 annual EV fee is roughly comparable to the fuel tax a typical gasoline vehicle would pay, and noted that public charging can add additional tax burdens for drivers who cannot charge at home, such as those living in apartments or condos. He also argued that EVs provide broader benefits, including lower noise and air pollution, grid-stabilizing nighttime charging, tourism spending at destination chargers, and reduced road wear for passenger EVs compared with much heavier vehicles. Members questioned Proctor about whether EV owners are paying more than their fair share, how the fee compares with gasoline taxes, and whether apartment and condo residents are disproportionately affected because they rely on public chargers. Proctor responded that the fee was intended to bring EV owners into parity with gas vehicles, not to overcharge them, and said some public chargers are free while others are used by drivers who cannot charge at home. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• So >> we we imagine this will first begin elementary students in elementary schools.
• We're trying to imagine a situation where make sense to me.
• We're trying to imagine a situation where the government forces the businesses to give free space to
• Russell's question the library time the lab time, the time face to face with media specialists or to
• So those who believe that we can have been or playgrounds, better libraries, better teachers, if only

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's... the end of the quote and so again children 3 to 11 some libraries in the houston public
• After confirming that the library had been inviting and a registered sex offender, the library admitted
• It says if a municipal library hosts one of these events, they won't get any public funding.
• Funds from cities and from the state that to be covered by this bill the library must host an event which
• And this is an activity that needs to cease and desist at our public libraries.

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• who read children's books, and to quote the founders, the program strives to quote, capture the imagination
• And so, again, children 3 to 11, uh, some libraries in the Houston Public Library system.
• After confirming that the library had been inviting and hosting a registered sex offender, the library
• It says if a municipal library hosts one of these events, they won't get any public funding.
• The the library is supposed to be a safe place where children can learn where the, where the parents

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can imagine how massive that effort was.
• I can't even imagine how harder it is when you get into the Berkshires.
• Imagine a quick example: in 2010 we were counted at probably 35,000 people in Chelsea.
• I remember other people saying stuff about libraries, too, so I appreciate that.
• I personally love libraries. Thank you. So I love them.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held an early planning hearing on how Massachusetts can maximize participation in the 2030 census, with Chair Will Brownsberger and Vice Chair Rebecca Rausch emphasizing the need to start well in advance. The first panel, made up of leaders from the Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, MIRA, and MESA, stressed that grassroots community organizations are trusted messengers and should be funded early to do multilingual outreach, training, and direct assistance in hard-to-count communities. They described lessons from 2020, including the shift to internet response, reduced federal census infrastructure, the importance of coordinated statewide networks, and the need to begin messaging several years before Census Day because building trust and staffing outreach takes time. Panelists repeatedly warned that immigrant communities are facing heightened fear because of federal immigration enforcement and the possibility of a citizenship question or other federal changes, making census participation more difficult. They said 2020 funding arrived too late to fully staff and train outreach teams before the pandemic, and argued that future resources should be deployed earlier and more flexibly. In response to committee questions, they estimated Massachusetts should invest roughly $8 million to $10 million or more in state census outreach, with one proposed model of about $3 million to $5 million at the start, additional funding in the middle years, and a larger final push closer to 2030. They also suggested that funding should support communications infrastructure, translation, social media and ethnic media outreach, and possibly a permanent complete count structure or trust fund to preserve institutional knowledge. A second panel from Common Cause Massachusetts and the ACLU of Massachusetts echoed the call for stronger, earlier investment and stronger privacy protections. They urged the legislature to expand existing census line items, consider a trust fund or other dedicated funding stream, and coordinate census outreach with other state programs that already work through trusted community messengers. The ACLU testimony focused on racial inequities in census counts and warned that federal efforts to exclude non-citizens or add a citizenship question would deepen distrust and undercount immigrant communities. Committee members asked about the 2020 overcount/undercount results, funding levels, timing of grant distribution, and whether census outreach should be routed through the Secretary of the Commonwealth or other state mechanisms; no votes were taken, and the hearing moved on to a later panel on immigrant-community outreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't imagine they wouldn't be.
• This particular measure asks for $1.5 million, and this would assist so that the expanded libraries that
• have qualified for grants can go ahead and support their rural libraries.
• again, we're trying for the $2.5 million, and it's in HB 2, but this would cover the additional libraries
• I really appreciate the ongoing work, the due diligence, if you will, by the people with rural libraries

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 226, which would appropriate $50 million for continued cleanup of abandoned uranium mine sites. Supporters, including Navajo and Pueblo advocates and conservation groups, described serious health and environmental harms from unreclaimed mines and argued state funding is needed because federal cleanup has been insufficient. One witness representing uranium companies said prior state funding helped clean up four sites in McKinley County and that additional money would continue meaningful progress. After questions about land ownership, cleanup responsibility, and existing budget funding, the committee adopted a due pass motion and approved the bill on a 4-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 242, which appropriates $3 million to CYFD’s Office of Tribal Affairs to contract for field liaisons to help ensure compliance with the New Mexico Indian Family Protection Act and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act. The sponsor offered and the committee approved a technical amendment changing the bill to authorize multiple liaisons. Tribal advocates and child welfare organizations supported the measure, saying CYFD needs more capacity and accountability in Indian child welfare cases. The bill passed unanimously on a 4-0 due pass vote. Next was Senate Bill 249, an appropriation to support the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force and related work in the Attorney General’s office, including maintaining a portal and IT support. Supporters said sustained funding is needed for accountability, coordination, data collection, and justice for Indigenous families, and that the issue remains a critical public safety and sovereignty concern. The sponsor noted he would continue working to fit funding into the budget. The committee voted due pass 4-0. Finally, Senator Campos presented Senate Bill 201, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Cultural Affairs Department for rural library operations in FY27, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. He said the bill is intended to help additional rural libraries that qualify for grants and complements other library funding measures already considered. A Pueblo of Pojoaque lobbyist spoke in support, citing the bill’s importance to cultural integrity in northern New Mexico. The committee approved SB 201 on a 4-0 due pass vote and then recessed until the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can imagine every year or two they've got to come.
• So I am imagining that sometimes there are individuals...
• So I am imagining that sometimes there are individuals. seat.
• That's what I'm imagining as well. So what I'm saying is, is there a place where we can send them?
• Why don't I let that up to the—because I don't know what all is in our public libraries.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can imagine you 16 hours you in the can imagine you 16 hours you in the can imagine you 16 hours
• Oh yeah. library to use the library. Oh yeah. library to use the library. Oh yeah.
• I can't imagine a child going through I can't imagine a child going through I can't imagine a child going
• Can you imagine? I mean, here's an Can you imagine? I mean, here's an Can you imagine?
• Well, can you imagine what that would make can you imagine what that would make can you imagine what

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be... ...imagine if our travel and office stipend ended after four terms.
• Yeah, no, the only film I've seen is the copy library had to do the research back in the day.
• No, the only film I've seen is that the copy library had to do the research back in the day.
• No, the only film I've seen is that the copy library had to do the research back in the day.
• Imagine if we didn't have the train. It probably would be even worse. But thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint committee held a public hearing on several bills covering state administration, land/public housing redevelopment, construction safety, memorialization, records management, rural grant equity, and animal research. Testimony in support of H. 3329 described an inequity in the Governor’s Council reimbursement statute, which currently cuts off travel, meals, and lodging reimbursement after four terms; the witnesses argued this disproportionately burdens members from western Massachusetts and creates geographic and economic barriers to service. The Boston Housing Authority supported legislation for the Brighton/Faneuil Gardens area, saying it would allow a mixed-use redevelopment that replaces all existing public housing units one-for-one, adds new affordable housing, creates replacement rehearsal space for displaced musicians, and preserves prevailing wage standards. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2112, a construction safety bill. Suffolk Construction, Boston building trade representatives, and local inspectors testified that the measure would strengthen training, site safety standards, oversight of high-risk work, and enforcement, while helping protect workers and the public and improving retention and recruitment of inspectors. Witnesses said the bill would align Massachusetts more closely with higher safety standards in other states and build on lessons from past construction-related incidents. The committee also heard support for S. 2162, which would create a COVID-19 memorial; the witness emphasized the scale of pandemic deaths in Massachusetts and the educational value of public memorials. Other testimony addressed H. 3321, which would modernize records preservation for registers of deeds by reducing reliance on costly microfilm in an increasingly electronic system; the witness said current law is outdated and expensive. H. 3311, aimed at advancing equity for rural communities receiving state grants, drew support from town officials in Leyden and Ashfield, who said small towns lack staff for grant writing and should be evaluated more on need and regional impact, especially for climate and public safety projects. Finally, S. 2117, concerning animal research, was supported by an animal welfare advocate who urged prohibiting state funds for animal experiments and shifting to non-animal research methods. After the hearing concluded, the chairs noted that additional hearings and polling votes would follow, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't know if our State Library gives any funding to our school libraries, but if they did, they
• So I don't know if our State Library gives any funding to our school libraries, but if they did, they
• Library has to.
• the same rules the State library follow the same rules the State library has<06:04:10.160><c> to</c>
• </c><06:08:14.680><c> in</c> of the foundation of our libraries in of the foundation of our libraries

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• the every library the every library and the every library has<03:05:42.000><c> board</c><03:05:42.319
• </c> Library Association. Library Association.
• </c> attend graduate library programs. attend graduate library programs.
• > um</c> ...to libraries, to library staff.
• </c> library bill. I'm sorry. library bill. I'm sorry.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• library.
• </c> library. They went through a process. library. They went through a process.
• There's a differentiation between a public school library and a public library.
• school libraries are curated by professional library science librarians.
• </c> professional library science librarians. professional library science librarians.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all