Transcript Highlights:

• of mind and have dominated conversation on campus, particularly for me, and I know for many of my Muslim
• Smiha Risvi, and I speak today on behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim
• They'll be surveilling the Muslim Legal Society.
• They'll be surveilling the Muslim Legal Society.

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills before recessing to the floor, with most measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. SB 2986 would allow public schools and universities to permit after-hours facility use by religious groups on the same terms as other nonprofits, and SB 1032 would open the Governor’s University Research Initiative to private and independent universities; both had committee substitutes adopted and were left pending after brief testimony. Supporters of SB 1032 from Rice and Baylor said the change would help Texas recruit top researchers and strengthen the state’s research economy. The committee also heard SB 2058, which would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to publish annual data on nursing clinical training sites to improve placement coordination, and SB 2683, which would bar public colleges from giving benefits or recognition to student organizations that receive support from foreign entities of concern; both were left pending after testimony. A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 2233, which would require public institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting students or employees on nonimmigrant visas from publicly supporting terrorist activity or organizations, with enforcement through investigations, reporting to Homeland Security, and possible Attorney General action and fines. The author said the bill was intended to reinforce existing federal definitions and campus safety, while senators questioned the bill’s scope, the definition of terrorist activity, and the clause tied to U.S. policy or practice. Public witnesses, including civil rights advocates, law students, and others, argued the bill was vague, overbroad, unconstitutional, and likely to chill protected speech and increase surveillance of international students and Black and brown communities; several Jewish witnesses also said the bill misused Jewish safety concerns and could be used for viewpoint discrimination. SB 2233 was left pending after public testimony. The committee then took up SB 735, which builds on prior Holocaust education legislation by funding optional age-appropriate and bilingual curriculum, museum field trips, teacher preparation partnerships, annual reporting, and regional collaboration with Holocaust museums and education service centers. The author and invited witnesses said the bill responds to survey findings showing uneven Holocaust instruction and a need for better teacher training and accountability. A fifth-grade teacher and the director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio testified in support, emphasizing the need for accurate, age-appropriate instruction and professional development. The committee recessed before finishing the agenda, and SB 735 was set to resume after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Electoral Workers Local Brotherhood of Electoral Workers Local 302<02:19:18.240><c> in</c><02:19:
• Another Muslim scholar, an expert in Islam, Dr. Say, a PhD. Dr. Sed Mustafa Quazini.
• Another Muslim scholar, an expert in Islam, Dr. Say, a PhD. Dr. Sed Mustafa Quazini.
• In Austin, a Muslim terrorist who never should have been in this country just killed three people.
• , a Muslim terrorist who never should<03:04:25.680><c> have</c><03:04:25.760><c> been</c><03:04:25.920

Transcript Highlights:

• USURF is a Muslims wielding machetes and crying Muslims wielding machetes and crying alkbar. alkbar.
• c> Pakistan,</c> Ahmmed Amadi Muslims in Pakistan, Ahmmed Amadi Muslims in Pakistan, Rohingya<04:11:07.520
• :11:09.120><c> in</c> Rohingya Muslims in Burma, Buddhists in Rohingya Muslims in Burma, Buddhists in
• Our Muslim communities must feel that they are treated with respect.
• Our Muslim communities must religion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we passed a bill that added certain Muslim holidays.
• Last year we passed a bill that added certain Muslim holidays to the list of non-legal state holidays

Summary: The committee first approved several package motions: gubernatorial appointments were advanced to the confirmation calendar, a consent calendar package was advanced to the consent calendar, and a regular calendar package was advanced to the floor calendar. Members noted that many of the packaged measures had been worked in advance and included bills from the Minority Caucus. The committee then advanced a series of individual bills to the floor calendar. These included SB 6086, allowing the Administrative Office of the Courts to use consultants for threat assessments when judicial officers are threatened; SB 5574, requiring instruction in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in social studies curricula; SB 5873, expanding escorted leave and compassionate leave provisions for incarcerated people; SB 5992, creating a youth development fund account for grants to youth programs; SB 5924, expanding pharmacy practice to include limited diagnosing and prescribing; SB 6134, requiring notice to striking workers about possible overpayment issues after retroactive pay; SB 6263, raising school district public bid thresholds; SB 5395, adding guardrails on AI use in prior authorization and requiring medical necessity decisions by licensed professionals; SB 6282, adding behavioral health training to apprenticeship programs; SB 5905, addressing pension enrollment rules for port district employees; SB 5950, adding certain Jewish, Sikh, and Hindu holidays to the list of non-legal state holidays; SB 6074, directing a work group to study reestablishing parole; SB 6226, protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy in choosing telehealth or in-person care; SB 6096, requiring deferred collection systems for utility connection fees in residential construction; SB 5970, making the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizens’ centers permanent; and SB 6269, updating fuel definitions so hydrogen fueling stations can be overseen under weights and measures rules. One bill drew a brief objection: SB 6302, which would limit the number of independent contractors used for the same type of finishing work on public works projects to address misclassification, was supported by its sponsor but opposed by Senator King, who said it would unduly restrict independent contractors. Despite that concern, the motion to advance the bill carried. All other measures discussed were advanced by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• community to the extreme and is spending more legislative time actually attacking our Muslim community
• It is spending more legislative time actually attacking our Muslim community than focusing once again
• Students will be attacked, especially our Muslim students and our pro-Palestinian students and activists
• So please oppose this bill because once again there's a wave of anti-Muslim bills that are reaching your
• my legislative aide is South Asian, and she is oftentimes picked on and has issues because she's Muslim

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for HB 1471, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law that conflicts with the U.S. or Florida Constitution, create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, and prohibit public funds from supporting such organizations. The sponsor said the bill protects constitutional supremacy, due process, and taxpayer dollars, while opponents argued it was vague, targeted religion, and could be used to suppress dissent and protected speech. Members debated whether a conviction was required, who would make designations, and what consequences would follow; an amendment changing student expulsion language from “may” to “shall” was adopted. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the bill passed 16-4 and was reported favorably with amendment. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1071, an education bill covering parental opt-outs for certain health instruction, required instruction on embryology, fetal development, and HIV/AIDS, math plan requirements, student-led organizations, epinephrine access, instructional material review, safe-school officer options, and chronic absenteeism reporting. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights, academics, accountability, and safety measure, while opponents said parts of the bill would restrict sex education, chill student organizations, and undermine DEI-related activities and LGBTQ student groups. Several amendments were offered by the ranking member to remove or soften the provisions restricting funding for DEI and social/political activism, but those amendments failed. The committee adopted a Trabulsy amendment requiring districts to publicize virtual instruction options, and another amendment clarifying reading-coach language and safe-school officer options, as well as an amendment giving publishers an appeals process if removed for noncompliant materials. A final Trabulsy amendment requiring annual reporting of chronic absenteeism by grade level was also adopted. Public testimony on the bill remained sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing embryology, parental rights, and school safety, and opponents warning about censorship, reduced reproductive health education, and harm to student expression. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on HB 1071, before final committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harry Hines, Local 487, International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, strongly urges a no
• Harry Hines, Local 487, International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, strongly urges a no
• Timothy Jeffries, Boilermakers International Brotherhood, I'm representing 1,000 boilermakers in the
• Timothy Jeffries, Boilermakers International Brotherhood, I am representing 1,000 boilermakers in the
• Jonathan Brown, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 92, strongly opposes.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm honored and humbled to stand before you today as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Muslims
• Kamal Ahmad, Director of Public Affairs, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Minnesota Chapter, Nusrat Mosque

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we passed a bill that added certain Muslim holidays... Senator Salomon.
• Last year we passed a bill that added certain Muslim holidays to the list of non-legal state holidays

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Prince Rahim... paim alhusseini anwaz was designated as a 50th hereditary imam of the shia imam of the muslims
• The principle affirms for the smiling Muslims around the world that the community will.

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't hurt or impinge the rights of Muslims or Palestinians, people who have ties to the Palestinian
• This doesn't hurt or impinge the rights of Muslims or Palestinians, people who have ties to the Palestinian
• that are Jewish that are much— It's sharing those stories from students that are Jewish, that are Muslim
• seen work in young people and in schools is when I, as a Jewish person, am hearing the story of a Muslim

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to review and discuss draft preliminary recommendations, with the co-chairs explaining that the draft had been released publicly and that the meeting was intended for open discussion and edits rather than a final vote. They emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, especially in K-12 schools, while noting that the recommendations are preliminary, may be revised, and will be supplemented by further testimony and a final report later. Several members also referenced recent allegations and incidents in local schools as examples of why the commission’s work is needed. Commissioners broadly supported the draft but proposed numerous refinements. Common themes included clarifying the distinction between antisemitic incidents and hate crimes; strengthening reporting systems and privacy protections; adding clearer guidance from DESE and the Attorney General on First Amendment issues, curriculum, and investigations; expanding Holocaust and genocide education; and improving professional development for educators, school committees, and administrators. Several members urged better links to mental health and victim services, more support for the Genocide Education Trust, and stronger language on bystander training, digital literacy, and the role of school committees in addressing bias. There was also discussion of how to frame antisemitism as a distinct form of hate, how to address antisemitism related to Israel and Zionism without restricting legitimate political speech, and how to avoid unfunded mandates for school districts and municipalities. Some commissioners suggested adding timeframes, a centralized reporting or investigative mechanism, and more explicit model policies for schools. The meeting ended with the chairs thanking participants and the public for their input, and the commission then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Muslim ban to attacks on refugees, from COVID-era scapegoating and anti-China rhetoric that
• emasculation of Asian men, the sexualization of Asian women, and the erasure of working-class refugees, Muslims
• From the Muslim ban to attacks on refugees, from COVID-era scapegoating and anti-China rhetoric that
• emasculation of Asian men, the sexualization of Asian women, and the erasure of working class refugees, Muslims

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journals, and removed SB 830 from the inactive file for return to the Assembly. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments, including Clint Kellum as Director of the Cannabis Control, Jennifer Osborne as Director of Industrial Relations, and two Medical Board of California appointments, Dr. Trinidad Solis and Dr. Gerald Tolbrook. Each appointment was confirmed by roll call, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The chamber also adopted SR 97 recognizing Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting AAPI contributions to California, histories of exclusion and solidarity, and the importance of visibility and representation. The resolution passed 39-0. The Senate also recognized numerous AAPI community leaders and honorees on the floor, including Kay Buck and Mira Sorvino for anti-trafficking advocacy, and later several additional guests and community figures. Members then adopted several other resolutions by unanimous consent: SCR 168 designating Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, SCR 148 declaring GM1 gangliosidosis awareness day, SR 95 proclaiming ALS Awareness Month, SCR 156 for Stroke Awareness Month, and SR 110 recognizing Hospital Week in California. Floor remarks focused on public safety, rare disease awareness, stroke recovery and aphasia, and the role of hospitals and health care workers. The Senate also honored retiring California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice with extensive tributes to his labor leadership, firefighter safety work, and disaster response advocacy. The meeting concluded with the remaining appointment confirmations and adjournment until May 14, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:30.600><c> of</c> And we are moving in the direction of And we are moving in the direction of brotherhood
• , brotherhood, brotherhood, mentoring<00:21:33.680><c> our</c><00:21:33.920><c> youth,</c> mentoring
• ><c> And</c><00:22:56.080><c> whereas</c><00:22:56.400><c> through</c><00:22:56.520><c> the</c> brotherhood
• And whereas through the brotherhood.
• And I'm grateful to the manhood and the brotherhood that has steered a young man from rural Alabama to

Transcript Highlights:

• Fitzske mentioned, operating engineers, pipe trades, sheet metal workers, and even the International Brotherhood
• > International</c> buildings, and even the International buildings, and even the International Brotherhood
• of</c><00:20:15.840><c> Electrical</c><00:20:16.280><c> Workers,</c><00:20:16.880><c> which</c> Brotherhood
• of Electrical Workers, which Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents<00:20:17.560><c> gas

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• values of inclusion and pluralism through their many cultural and religious identities, including Muslim
• values of inclusion and pluralism through their many cultural and religious identities, including Muslim

Transcript Highlights:

• values of inclusion and pluralism through their many cultural and religious identities, including Muslim
• values of inclusion and pluralism through their many cultural and religious identities, including Muslim

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, page introductions, the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayers offered by representatives of the Islamic Center of Olympia. The chamber then suspended Rule 46 so committees could meet during the pro forma session, approved the previous day’s journal, received a message from the Secretary of State certifying initiative I-26-001, and referred Substitute Senate Bill 5292 (Family Medical Rights) and Senate Bill 6301 (supervision of line) to the designated committees. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8674 recognizing the 77th Republic Day of India. Supportive remarks emphasized India’s constitution, democratic values, and the contributions of Indian Americans in Washington in business, public service, culture, and civic life. After adoption, the Senate welcomed the Consul General of India in Seattle and members of the Indian American community in the gallery. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8664 recognizing youth sports. The resolution highlighted the benefits of organized athletics for youth well-being, academic engagement, and mental health, while noting disparities in access, the need for trained coaches and injury prevention, and the value of adaptive and emerging sports. Senator Nobles and others spoke in support, stressing inclusion, belonging, and the importance of investing in youth. The Senate then welcomed youth sports and equity groups in the gallery and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO IS A STUDENT THAT IS JEWISH OR A STUDENT WHO WAS MUSLIM, THEY WON'T BE DISCRIMINATED
• THERE BEEN TIMES WHERE CONTINUALLY WE HAVE SEEN MEMBERS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY DEMONIZED, MEMBERS WHO

Transcript Highlights:

• of those that I've helped over the years, their active faith, whether it was Protestant, Catholic, Muslim
• Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or some other, and yes, I've ministered to them all, served as
• Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or some other, and yes, I've ministered to them all, served as

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements and allow challenges by qualified candidates or political parties. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; the sponsor and local law enforcement supporters emphasized the Raynor case, while criminal defense lawyers objected to deleting existing force-limit language and to the mandatory life penalty. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills extending or preserving public records exemptions, including CS/SB 7014 on social media platform investigations, SB 7016 on small business loan program records, CS/SB 7012 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigations, CS/SB 7000 on emergency shelter recipient information, CS/SB 7002 on Department of Military Affairs records, SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit reinvestigation materials, SB 7006 on Florida Public Service Commission records and meetings, and SB 7008 on Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. Other measures reported favorably included SB 624 allowing optional faith-based activities in batterers’ intervention programs, HB 167 protecting former phosphate mining lands from certain strict-liability claims, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units and housing supply, SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure, SB 292 creating a records exemption for appellate court clerks and families, CS/SB 296 expanding domestic violence safety tools and address confidentiality protections, CS/SB 298 as the public-records companion, SB 386 on farm equipment lemon-law style protections, and SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local governments, advocacy groups, industry groups, and affected families, with some opposition on SB 156 and SB 290. For CS/SB 48, the committee adopted two amendments before reporting the bill favorably. SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was temporarily postponed after the chair allowed public testimony but no final action was taken. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Care Washington, a civil rights organization which protects the rights, safety, and dignity of Muslims
• For Muslims and immigrants, encounters with law enforcement are not only abstract legal events.
• of Care Washington, a civil rights organization, which protects the rights, safety and dignity of Muslims
• For Muslims and immigrants, encounters with law enforcement are not only abstract of legal events.

Bills: SB6045 , SB6188 , SB6053 , SB5852

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, I was noticing an uptake in need among our young Muslim girls, and so two of our peer mentors
• were able to facilitate a support group for Muslim girls and meet that need specifically as students
• This year, I was noticing an uptake in need among our young Muslim girls.
• And so two of our peer mentors were able to facilitate a support group from Muslim girls and meet that
• need specifically as students within that community. ...group for Muslim girls and meet that need specifically

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center and AROC Action, representing thousands of Arabs, Muslims
• California, CAIR California for short, and we strongly oppose AB 715's attempt to erase Palestinian, Arab, Muslim
• in our schools. ...for short, and we strongly oppose AB 715's attempt to erase Palestinian, Arab, Muslim
• Justice in Palestine, representing hundreds of thousands of people across the United States: Jewish, Muslim
• in the Bay Area, QUIT, which is Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Muslim

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion. The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues. Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.