Transcript Highlights:

• , and in the gallery we have students and mentors of the Sacramento Alumni Chapter.
• Ayes 32, noes 0. The amendments are concurred in.
• This does have an urgency clause, so on the urgency, ayes 32, noes 0; on the measure, ayes 32, noes 0
• We have governor's appointments for file items 30, 32, and 33, all by Senator Gomez Reyes.
• Senator, file item 32. Thank you, Madam President.

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.519><c> the</c><00:32:03.679><c> United</c><00:32:04.080><c> States</c><00:32:04.679><c> was
• ><c> be</c><00:32:34.240><c> in</c><00:32:34.320><c> a</c><00:32:34.519><c> peaceful</c><00:32:34.880
• 00:32:44.519><c> are</c><00:32:44.679><c> parallel</c><00:32:45.080><c> to</c><00:32:45.200><c> the</
• violence<00:32:46.039><c> we</c><00:32:46.240><c> once</c><00:32:46.440><c> fled</c><00:32:46.840><c
• ><c> us</c><00:32:55.080><c> because</c><00:32:55.480><c> their</c><00:32:55.679><c> loved</c><00:32:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds<00:32:03.399><c> that</c><00:32:03.559><c> you</c><00:32:03.720><c> usually</c><00:32:04.039><
• <00:32:06.360><c> your</c><00:32:06.559><c> ability</c><00:32:06.880><c> to</c><00:32:07.000><c> do</
• </c><00:32:09.559><c> so</c><00:32:09.760><c> we</c><00:32:09.880><c> may</c><00:32:10.200><c> we</c>
• :32:13.639><c> order</c><00:32:14.039><c> to</c><00:32:14.880><c> uh</c><00:32:15.000><c> fill</c><00
• :32:15.240><c> the</c><00:32:15.480><c> Gap</c><00:32:16.080><c> if</c><00:32:16.279><c> the</c> So I

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 4000, the Judiciary’s biennium budget bill for FY 2026-2027. Judiciary Director of Policy and Planning Brandon Kimura testified in strong support, outlining operating requests of about $6.17 million in FY 26 and $6.25 million in FY 27, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $9.9 million in capital improvements. He described funding needs for specialty courts, preparations for the Wahiawa District Court, an additional district court judge and staff for Kona, cybersecurity upgrades, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, statewide priority items, and restoration of several essential staff positions. He also said the Judiciary was seeking an additional $2 million for the Children’s Justice Center relocation lump sum because updated estimates had risen to about $8 million. The committee also discussed potential impacts from uncertain federal funding and asked for written follow-up on those risks and on the capital request, including coordination with Budget and Finance. Several organizations and individuals testified in support of the Judiciary budget, including the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, and legal service providers. Mioko Eto asked for an additional $1 million for civil legal service providers, explaining that the current funding is spread across multiple providers and that the need remains high. David Copper of Legal Aid supported the request, citing statewide demand, 105 staff, 7,100 cases closed in the past year, and 15,000 calls received, while noting that many people seeking help cannot be served because of capacity limits. He also said recent federal funding disruptions and proposed cuts could affect legal services and related programs. Committee members asked about the Criminal Justice Research Institute’s mission; Kimura said its primary statutory role is to build a database focused on pre-trial reporting and data analysis, though it is also working on probation and mental health-related projects. No vote or final action on HB 4000 was taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:12.480><c> agreement</c><00:32:12.799><c> on</c><00:32:13.039><c> party</c><00:32:13.360><c>
• </c><00:32:18.000><c> Um,</c><00:32:18.320><c> you</c><00:32:18.399><c> know,</c><00:32:18.559><c> I<
• My mother<00:32:23.840><c> was</c><00:32:24.240><c> a</c><00:32:24.480><c> teachers</c><00:32:24.960>
• </c><00:32:39.360><c> into</c><00:32:39.760><c> a</c><00:32:40.960><c> cold</c><00:32:41.279><c> water
• Um,<00:32:46.480><c> and</c><00:32:46.799><c> of</c><00:32:46.960><c> course,</c><00:32:47.279><c> as

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain. Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation. He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:44.000><c> Prior</c><00:32:44.320><c> citations</c><00:32:44.720><c> to</c><00:32:44.799><
• Prior citations to be met within<00:32:45.279><c> 10</c><00:32:45.519><c> calendar</c><00:32:45.760><
• Appropriates 2 million for<00:32:49.600><c> the</c><00:32:49.679><c> state</c><00:32:49.840><c> highway
• > to</c><00:32:51.679><c> support</c><00:32:51.840><c> the</c><00:32:52.080><c> establishment</c> year
• Uh chair kilo votes<00:32:57.360><c> I.</c><00:32:57.679><c> Cocher</c><00:32:58.080><c> Tarnis.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee first took up HB 496 HD2 SD1 on mamaki tea. Members described the agreed conference draft as prohibiting misleading use of Hawaiian words, imagery, place names, and motifs on tea packaging unless all tea or dried leaves were grown, harvested, and dried in Hawaii. The bill also included an appropriation for a measurement standards inspector position at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, with $65,000 in each of FY 2026 and FY 2027. The House and Senate managers recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by unanimous votes from the members present, with some members excused. The committee then recessed and reconvened several times to manage a larger agenda of conference bills, moving some items to later times and rooms. Among the measures adopted were HB 862, addressing school transportation shortages by allowing certain nontraditional vehicles under safety conditions; HB 667, retitled the Microchip Identification Act, requiring DOT and counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips and notify animal services; HB 958, regulating electric bicycles and other micromobility devices with safety, labeling, registration, and age requirements; HB 934, relating to broadband and the digital equity office, with appropriations and positions; HB 960, raising DOT capital advancement contract thresholds and annual caps; HB 697, updating automated speed enforcement rules and appropriating $2 million; and SB 26, creating an affordable housing land inventory task force with a $250,000 appropriation. Each of these measures was adopted with amendments by conference vote, with some members excused and several brief recesses taken for quorum or agenda management. Not all bills were resolved. HB 732, relating to the film industry tax credit cap, was deferred after conferees said they had not reached agreement, despite comments supporting the industry and local workers. HB 437, concerning an office in the Philippines under DBED, was also deferred for lack of agreement. The committee adjourned after stating that the remaining measures on the agenda would be deferred indefinitely.

Transcript Highlights:

• force<00:32:11.039><c> land</c><00:32:11.200><c> owners</c><00:32:11.519><c> who</c><00:32:11.679><c
• </c><00:32:19.840><c> This</c><00:32:20.080><c> proposal</c><00:32:20.480><c> simply</c><00:32:20.799
• And with that, Madam<00:32:28.080><c> Chair,</c><00:32:28.320><c> I</c><00:32:28.480><c> do</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:30.559><c> um</c><00:32:30.720><c> House</c><00:32:30.960><c> Child,</c><00:32:31.279><c>
• </c><00:32:33.200><c> uh</c><00:32:33.360><c> since</c><00:32:33.600><c> this</c><00:32:33.760><c> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:10.559><c> So,</c><00:32:10.720><c> I</c><00:32:10.880><c> I</c><00:32:11.120><c> too</c>
• 00:32:14.960><c> do</c><00:32:15.120><c> not</c><00:32:15.279><c> necessarily</c><00:32:15.840><c> read
• And I<00:32:19.279><c> do</c><00:32:19.440><c> share</c><00:32:19.679><c> a</c><00:32:19.840><c> concern
• </c><04:32:41.840><c> I</c><04:32:42.080><c> am</c><04:32:42.239><c> here</c><04:32:42.399><c> in</c>
• This should<04:32:46.720><c> apply</c><04:32:47.040><c> to</c><04:32:47.279><c> our</c><04:32:47.520>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :06.679><c> thank</c><00:32:06.840><c> you</c><00:32:07.120><c> yeah</c><00:32:07.399><c> I</c><00:32
• :00.639><c> yes</c><01:32:01.639><c> thank</c><01:32:01.800><c> you</c><01:32:02.040><c> chair</c><01
• is adopted thank thank thank you<01:32:08.600><c> um</c><01:32:08.880><c> House</c><01:32:09.159><c>
• Bill</c><01:32:09.400><c> 302</c><01:32:10.040><c> relating</c><01:32:10.400><c> to</c> you um House
• :32:35.600><c> marijuana</c><01:32:36.159><c> card</c><01:32:37.159><c> members</c><01:32:37.560><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• church<00:32:03.919><c> than</c><00:32:04.080><c> they</c><00:32:04.200><c> will</c><00:32:04.320><c>
• </c><00:32:09.399><c> to</c><00:32:09.600><c> propose</c><00:32:09.919><c> a</c><00:32:10.080><c> bill
• <00:32:46.679><c> our</c><00:32:47.279><c> underwear</c><00:32:48.279><c> the</c><00:32:48.600><c> only
• </c><00:32:53.000><c> their</c><00:32:53.399><c> genitalia</c><00:32:54.399><c> that</c><00:32:54.519
• that is the only<00:32:55.200><c> way</c><00:32:55.360><c> to</c><00:32:55.600><c> police</c><00:32:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• is subject to a non-criminal traffic infraction and is punishable by a non-moving violation under Chapter
• Amendment barcode 78758758 by Senator Smith, between lines 31 and 32, and your amendment.
• By Senator Smith, between lines 31 and 32, and their amendment. Senator of the 17th.
• This bill creates a new section in chapters 494 and 560 to require a licensed mortgage or money services
• This bill creates a new section in chapters 494 and 560 to require a licensed mortgage or money services

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator Charlie Dean. Senators also introduced guests, including family members, church leaders, and visiting students. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate passed a series of bills focused on consumer protection, transportation safety, health, and financial regulation. CS/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks passed 37-0 after being substituted for SB 198 and amended to adopt Senate language aimed at limiting fraud and setting transaction controls. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring certain health professionals to complete training on care management. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, and SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program passed 36-0 after amendments expanding the program to ages 1 through 7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which creates cybersecurity program requirements for certain licensees, expands oversight of some investment advisers, and updates credit union and anti-money-laundering provisions; it passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments tied to related cybersecurity exemptions and reporting requirements. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing certain benefits for foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to certify all passed bills to the House and retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:05:04.880><c> Enrolled</c><00:05:05.280><c> Act</c><00:05:05.520><c> number</c><00:05:05.759><c> 32
• </c> House Enrolled Act number 32 being original House Bill 102, an act relating to crimes and offenses
• I'm about to sign House Enrolled Act number 32 being original House Bill 102. I'm so sorry.
• My time here has been more than just a chapter in my second career.
• It has also chapter in my second career.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:48.159><c> options</c><00:32:48.559><c> legal</c><00:32:48.960><c> options</c><00:32:49.360>
• extend<00:32:54.080><c> past</c><00:32:54.880><c> the</c><00:32:55.000><c> borders</c><00:32:55.360>
• </c><04:32:03.159><c> thanks</c><04:32:04.159><c> okay</c><04:32:04.640><c> out</c><04:32:04.760><c>
• someone<04:32:28.239><c> who's</c><04:32:28.479><c> got</c><04:32:28.640><c> some</c><04:32:28.840><c
• </c><04:32:36.720><c> of</c><04:32:36.840><c> the</c> bill<04:32:40.159><c> and</c><04:32:40.279><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we<00:32:04.080><c> got</c><00:32:04.159><c> a</c><00:32:04.320><c> letter</c><00:32:04.480>
• nonprofits<00:32:11.840><c> as</c><00:32:12.159><c> if</c><00:32:12.720><c> they</c><00:32:12.960><c
• We believe<00:32:14.399><c> that</c><00:32:14.640><c> there</c><00:32:14.799><c> are</c><00:32:14.960
• :20.320><c> that</c><00:32:20.640><c> is</c><00:32:20.799><c> what</c><00:32:21.440><c> we</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:31.279><c> making</c><00:32:31.679><c> sure</c><00:32:32.159><c> that</c><00:32:32.559><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jasmine Smith, California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, in support.
• We are going to move now to item number 32, AB 2613. Thank you so much.
• We are going to move now to item number 32, AB 2613 by Sharp-Collins.
• Moving on to Item number 32, AB 2613 by Sharp-Collins, for add-ons.
• Item number 32, AB 2613, Sharp Collins is out. Entertaining vote changes.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.919><c> be</c><00:32:02.120><c> a</c><00:32:02.360><c> cost</c><00:32:02.639><c> to</c>
• <00:32:07.120><c> and</c><00:32:07.360><c> that</c><00:32:07.760><c> there</c><00:32:07.880><c> may</
• :32:10.760><c> preparedness</c><00:32:11.519><c> plan</c><00:32:12.519><c> to</c><00:32:12.639><c> be
• <c> we</c><00:32:41.799><c> are</c><00:32:41.960><c> a</c><00:32:42.080><c> large</c><00:32:42.399><c
• <00:32:44.360><c> so</c><00:32:44.559><c> I</c><00:32:44.679><c> do</c><00:32:44.919><c> feel</c> and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

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• c><00:32:10.360><c> enough</c><00:32:10.600><c> to</c><00:32:10.799><c> entice</c><00:32:11.240><c> them
• c> looking</c><00:32:18.480><c> into</c><00:32:18.760><c> job</c><00:32:19.000><c> creation</c><00:32
• ><c> builds</c><00:32:27.600><c> so</c><00:32:28.000><c> we</c><00:32:28.120><c> do</c><00:32:28.240>
• <c> P</c><00:32:34.240><c> there</c><00:32:34.320><c> are</c><00:32:34.480><c> a</c><00:32:34.720><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend Chapter 282 of the Laws of 2003, amending the Town Law relating to authorizing the Town
• Next, S-32-61.
• Sponsor, Senator Palumbo, Title and Actam on Chapter 282. 55.
• Sponsor, Senator Palumbo, Title and Act to Amend Chapter 282 of the Laws of 2003, amending the town law

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met with a light attendance and acknowledged committee members, clerk Joyce Andrea, and central staff from IGO and finance. The chair noted an 18-bill agenda, with 17 repasses and one new bill, S.8555, described as a local tax extender for Suffolk County that had been overlooked the prior year. Once three members were present, the committee proceeded with normal motions and seconds. The agenda included a range of measures on alcohol and cannabis regulation, public officers law, executive law, tax law, state law, and highway naming. Bills reported included S.315 on a temporary New York craft beverage permit, S.349 on expanding the definition of agency, S.566 on Address Confidentiality Program eligibility for election officials, S.1130 on renter protections tied to housing subsidies or public assistance, S.1787 on a veteran suicide awareness flag, S.2640 on including veterans in the definition of military status for discrimination purposes, and several cannabis-related bills including S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.6283. S.1418A, concerning attorney’s fees in certain proceedings, was referred to finance. Most bills were reported unanimously, though several had one nay or one without recommendation, including S.2271, S.234, S.2447, S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.8555. The committee also reported S.2364 designating the Honor and Remember flag as an official state flag, S.55 renaming a highway in New York City, and S.8276 regarding qualifications for an assistant county attorney in Rockland County. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noting the committee would meet again in a few weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have representing Fort Defiance Samuel Crystal Red League's chapter.
• Reading calendar: that is House Bill 32. Is Representative Matthews ready on that item?
• HB 32, counseling, is relatively new to the compact world, but has already issued...
• Speaker, I move that HB 32 do now pass, as amended.
• House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 32 as amended has passed the House.

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HM2, HM16

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Summary: The House opened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and a series of announcements and recognitions tied to Gallup-McKinley County Day, including the presentation and passage of House Memorial 15 designating February 5, 2026, as Gallup-McKinley County Day. Members spoke at length in support of Gallup and McKinley County, its Native communities, cultural traditions, Route 66 heritage, economic development, and local schools and guests in the gallery. House Memorial 15 passed unanimously, 70-0. The chamber then took up House Memorial 3 recognizing nurses and other health care professionals. Several members and guests from labor and health care organizations spoke in support, emphasizing the dedication of frontline workers and the importance of honoring nurses. The memorial passed unanimously, 70-0. The House also passed House Bill 32, a counseling licensure compact, after adopting a technical amendment, by 63-0; House Bill 33, a psychologist compact, by 64-0; and House Bill 95, creating a fifth judge position in the Second Judicial District family court division, after a friendly amendment removing an appropriation because funding was already in the budget, by 65-0. During committee reports, the House adopted favorable reports on several measures, including House Bill 70 substitute, Senate Bill 3 as amended, House Bills 246, 254, 271, 276, 288, and House Joint Memorial 3. In introductions, the House referred several memorials and Senate bills, including measures on teacher workload study, detention facility reuse, health insurance affordability, gifted education endorsements, special education, and burglary definitions. The House also announced committee meetings, upcoming events, and the annual House-versus-Senate basketball game, then recessed until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

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• </c><00:32:08.640><c> I'd</c><00:32:08.880><c> have</c><00:32:08.960><c> to</c><00:32:09.039><c> get<
• ><00:32:10.320><c> to</c><00:32:10.480><c> maybe</c><00:32:10.640><c> get</c><00:32:10.799><c> an</c>
• </c><00:32:11.600><c> for</c><00:32:11.919><c> you,</c><00:32:12.320><c> but</c><00:32:12.559><c> it<
• > the</c><00:32:20.799><c> plan</c><00:32:21.039><c> that</c><00:32:21.360><c> has</c><00:32:21.600><

Bills: SF1750, HF4250, HF3938, HF3904, HF3642

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House Concurrent Resolution Number 32 by the State Affairs Committee
• House Concurrent Resolution 32 and House Concurrent Resolution 33 are referred to the Judiciary Rules
• House Concurrent Resolution 32 and House Concurrent Resolution 33 are referred to the Judiciary Rules
• 35, Title 67, Idaho Code; amending Chapter 35, Title 60, Idaho Code; and amending Chapter 35, Title
• There are three chapters directly related to Hamas and Hezbollah.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate, and processed several committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on health care, elections, school recess, controlled substances, animal protection, and working animals, along with concurrent resolutions on energy sovereignty and used nuclear fuel reprocessing. The House also moved a number of bills to second or third reading calendars and referred others to committees for printing or further consideration. On the floor, members debated and voted on several measures. House Joint Resolution 9, proposing a constitutional amendment on parental rights and education, was moved to the top of the calendar but failed to reach the two-thirds threshold, receiving 44 ayes and 25 nays. The House then passed House Bill 585 on faster mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; House Bill 736 on ballot rotation in elections; House Bill 626 on mandatory county impact fees for courthouses and jails; House Bill 749 on annexation-related septic and property issues; House Bill 650 on federalism and state-federal constitutional boundaries; House Bill 788 creating a pilot incentive for medical preceptorships; House Bill 738 allowing LLCs to use a commercial registered agent address; House Bill 685 adding a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while masked; House Bill 696 updating prison guard-inmate sexual contact language; House Bill 686 creating a narrow small-town nepotism exception; House Bill 670 clarifying fire district opt-outs from urban renewal districts; House Bill 734 revising wind and geothermal tax distributions; House Bill 570 increasing penalties for reckless driving in school and construction zones; and House Bill 561 restricting government display of certain flags while preserving specified exceptions. Later, the House returned to committee reports and introduced additional bills, including budget and tax measures. It then passed House Bill 692 on foster care court proceedings and access, House Bill 575 centralizing civil asset forfeiture reporting with the state controller, House Bill 562 extending the notice period for insurance nonrenewals, House Bill 810 setting residency requirements for legislative candidates with exemptions for military and religious service, and House Bill 593 removing obsolete code related to hazardous waste and Big Payette Lake water quality provisions. Most of these measures passed by recorded vote after brief debate, with several members making Rule 80 conflict declarations where they had related business or professional interests.