Transcript Highlights:

• Same with the community college chancellor's office: it was cut to the chancellor's office, not to all
• HR offices, IT offices, things of that nature.
• So we have Department of Finance, Legislative Analyst Office, and the UC Office of the President will
• UC Office of the President.
• We have the Office of the President, Legislative Analyst’s Office, and Department of Finance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• open to both public defenders and office support staff.
• They work in 42 offices and 17 locations across the state.
• They work in 42 offices and 17 locations across the state.
• I started in the New Bedford office in 2012. I started in the New Bedford office in 2012.
• I remember when, in our office, in the first office I started, I worked in New Bedford, I remember when

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 2522 / H. 5909, which would amend state labor law to treat the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as a public employer and allow its employees to seek collective bargaining rights. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process, noted that no opponents or members of the public had signed up to testify, and said written testimony would be accepted through March 20. The hearing focused on whether CPCS staff should be brought within the public-sector bargaining framework and how that would interact with the agency’s statutory duties. Expert testimony began with an NCSL analyst, who gave a national overview of public employee bargaining rights and examples of public defender unions in other states and localities, including Colorado, New York City, Indianapolis, Cook County, Maryland, and Illinois. Department of Labor Relations officials then reviewed prior failed organizing efforts at CPCS and its predecessor, explaining that earlier petitions were dismissed because the agency was not considered a public employer under existing law. They said passage of the initiative would not automatically unionize employees, but would allow a union to petition for an election or written majority authorization, with normal unit-appropriateness and supervisory/confidential employee issues still to be resolved. CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti testified that the agency supports providing information to the legislature but is not taking a position for or against unionization. He described CPCS’s statutory responsibilities, size, and current efforts to expand staffing after recent indigent-defense crises, and said any new bargaining framework would need to operate alongside the agency’s obligations to provide counsel. Proponents from SEIU Local 888 and allied labor groups argued that CPCS employees have long been denied the same collective bargaining rights as other public workers, and that a union would provide just-cause protections, a voice on staffing and working conditions, and better support for recruitment and retention. CPCS attorneys and staff testified in favor of the measure, citing heavy caseloads, rapid expansion, inadequate supervision and office support, and the need for representation in disciplinary and workplace disputes. Committee members asked about bargaining-unit composition, the role of the DLR, the effect of unionization on attorneys’ ethical duties, and the use and cost of paid signature gathering. The hearing ended with no votes taken and no opposition testimony presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their their county election office their their county election office encompasses<00:28:36.640><
• </c><00:45:14.160><c> of</c> the uh to Moana Lute with Office of the uh to Moana Lute with Office of
• </c> state procurement office. state procurement office.
• The second is compensated officers.
• Um the is compensated officers.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:25:46.560><c> make</c> situations deputies and officers make situations deputies and officers
• </c> Minesota police and Peace Officers Minesota police and Peace Officers Association<01:27:50.520><
• attorney or the county attorney's office attorney or the county attorney's office to<01:42:05.760><c>
• </c> faking as if they were police officers faking as if they were police officers um<01:55:41.880><c
• </c> a number of hours before that officer a number of hours before that officer takes<02:08:14.599><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> remain peace officers. remain peace officers.
• . officers. officers.
• , officer, officer, 609.4751. 609.4751. 609.4751.
• </c> licensed peace officers. licensed peace officers.
• </c> you're a police officer. you're a police officer.

Bills: HF3547 , HF3651 , HF4043 , HF4282 , HF4095

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney's Office.
• Attorney's Office.
• Attorney's Office.
• </c> Attorney's Office. Attorney's Office.
• </c> to our office. to our office.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:42.520><c> or</c> hours for security officers or hours for security officers or protective
• officers are increasingly Security officers are increasingly filling<00:13:37.560><c> gaps</c><00:13
• </c> security officers. security officers.
• Thank you. officers. officers.
• </c> office and from the governor himself. office and from the governor himself.

Bills: HF4446 , HF4066 , HF1082

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a member of the Office of the Public Defender. Our office does oppose this bill.
• We really missed having the AG's office weigh in on the concerns raised by the public defender office
• We really missed having the AG's office weigh in on the concerns raised by the public defender office
• We really missed having the AG's office weigh in on the concerns raised by the public defender office
• We really missed having the AG's office weigh in on the concerns raised by the public defender office

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General's office or AG's office would do. >> Okay, Mr.
• </c> office or AG's office would do. office or AG's office would do.
• office.
• </c> officers um state bush district officers officers um state bush district officers 500<00:37:12.160
• </c> office. Um, what is the effective date? office. Um, what is the effective date?

Committee: Joint Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• There are trade offices in Mexico.
• There's one trade office in Taiwan that does have a lot of direct investment.
• office to have a trade office in this country.
• at the Comptroller's Office in 2020. ...of the Broadband Development Office at the Comptroller's Office
• at the Comptroller's Office in 2020. of the Broadband Development Office at the Comptroller's Office

Bills: HB 1240 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB3146 , HB4850 , HB5032 , HCR90

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• They outnumber our sworn force of police officers three to one. ...force of police officers three to
• I'm a guard, a security officer. I support SB 1203. My name is Miguel. I'm a security officer.
• As mentioned, there are far more security officers than police officers.
• Security officers are the ones that keep us safe, and it just comes Officers and police officers, security
• officers are the ones that keep us safe.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• speak for the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member of the Sergeant's office
• My name is Jessica Hall, and I work for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
• The law enforcement officer encounters an illegal alien operating a commercial vehicle.
• The officer will, of course, take the individual into customy, as is required.
• And last but not least, to the sickle cell warriors who I've met, who have come to the office.

Bills: S0086 , S0554 , S0760 , S0774 , S0778 , S0844 , S1022 , S1230 , S1246 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, nonprofit, corporation, Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act, membership, articles of incorporation, governance, pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> talk with the Attorney General's office talk with the Attorney General's office they<00:02:07.840
• </c> Office of the Attorney General's office Office of the Attorney General's office and<00:03:14.159
• </c><00:21:22.760><c> sued</c> earned in January 2024 my office sued earned in January 2024 my office
• </c> awareness the Attorney General's office awareness the Attorney General's office doesn't<01:02:50.000
• </c> and talk about what your your um office and talk about what your your um office is<01:14:30.360>

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Communications and Reports from State Officers. Motions and Resolutions.
• COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM STATE OFFICERS.
• These student government officers are truly walking the walk.
• THESE STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ARE TRULY WALKING THE WALK.
• The correction officers, same thing.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including Saugerties student government officers, the Marlboro High School boys bowling state champions, a civics group, a National Guard/9-11 responder advocate, family members honoring Salvador Vizcarrondo Jr., architecture professionals, correctional officers and employees, and small business representatives. Members also offered resolutions recognizing Architecture Week, Correctional Officers and Employees Week, and Small Business Week, along with tributes to community leaders and student achievements. The chamber then took up a series of bills on the non-controversial calendar, passing measures on education leave for incarcerated people, utility interconnection study, property tax exemption, alcohol regulation, executive law, school drill requirements, victim sentencing rights, public health, public officers, public authorities, election law, environmental conservation, veterans/homeland security, labor, and other topics. Several bills were laid aside. Some measures drew brief explanations of vote, including concerns about school safety drills, correctional staffing and safety, and a victims’ rights bill that one senator said mirrored an earlier version he had carried. The most extended debate centered on the 21st Century Antitrust Act (Calendar 879), with supporters arguing it would modernize antitrust enforcement against dominant firms, especially big tech, and opponents warning it would create vague standards, invite private lawsuits, and harm small and rural businesses. Another debated bill (Calendar 818) would restrict sharing of utility consumption data with police; supporters framed it as a privacy measure requiring normal legal process, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement while still allowing state regulators access. Both bills were ultimately restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moreover, conservation officers are state-certified peace officers and frequently assist other rural
• I think the compliance officer. Okay.
• Hear from your compliance officer.
• Fish and Game officers don't have any more authority than any other peace officer in the state of Idaho
• Conservation officers are certified peace officers.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You're talking originally, state police would have to be the officers coming, and or others, officers
• And so there was an addition on line 16 and 17 that a commissioned law enforcement officer whose office
• There's no office on site, and I'm sure that many areas would disagree that there's not an office.
• office and the treasurer's office, and they get very, very upset when things aren't going their way.
• I took an oath of office.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The community college office.
• Community College Office, yeah.
• of civil rights. system offices do, but that we do not, which is a statewide office of civil rights
• And Chancellor's Office? Sure. Chris Ferguson, again, for the Chancellor's Office.
• Chancellor's Office, please.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also happy to work with the Governor's Office.
• And we are also happy to work with the governor's office.
• County Office of Education.
• , and the State Treasurer's Office on this one.
• and the state treasurer's office on this one.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninety-nine percent of our officers are damn good officers. You and I have had that conversation.
• Ninety-nine percent of our officers are damn good officers, but it's that one percent of our officers
• , or just bad, bad officers.
• But what happens if Officer Smith is seen by a Pearland police officer?
• The chief medical officer is...

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Transcript Highlights:

• First is Grid Deployment Office.
• Office of Cyber Security, Energy Security and Emergency Management.
• And then the final office is the Office of Clean Energy Demonstration, and this is required by law, section
• of, obviously, prioritizing the Office of Energy, Office of Indian Energy, which has played a pivotal
• And I'm committed to working with you and your office, this committee.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.