Transcript Highlights:

• Without this Senate bill, we have an absurdity in the law because Chapter 22C requires police to count
• The bill also removes some of the existing archaic language from the Massachusetts Code, like common
• These are not just simple motor vehicle Chapter 90 violations.
• I've been organized of the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.
• Nevada is the only state that doesn't have an overarching criminal code penalizing all of consensual

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the demand letters under Labor Code 238, 240, we have about 3,500, and on in-depth investigations.
• On the demand letters under Labor Code 238, 240, we have about 3,500, and on in-depth investigations.
• Matt Easley, on behalf of the California chapters of the Associated General Contractors.
• for having a workers who have claims pending in the system, they would be penalized for having a claim
• Good afternoon, Matt Easley on behalf of the California chapters of the Associated General Contractors

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of labor and public employment budget items. The first issue focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, fraud prevention, language access, and the phased Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged closer legislative oversight as the project enters a more difficult phase, and members questioned the schedule, cost, change orders, fraud reduction, stress testing, and the reasons for re-phasing unemployment insurance behind disability and paid family leave. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that it has no major cost overruns, and that it has saved more than $20 million by moving some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The committee also received updates on SB 1090 implementation timing, SB 1058 demographic data confidentiality, and SB 590 outreach concerns. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing over five years as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. Members questioned the large staffing reduction in light of the board’s grant administration role and asked about the High Road Construction Careers Program, AI-related workforce needs, and the impact on reentry programs. The administration and Finance said the positions were added for surge grant work and are being phased down as those grants close, while the LAO had no objection to the reporting streamlining proposal. A major portion of the hearing addressed the Department of Industrial Relations, especially the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund trailer bill. DIR and the LAO said SIBTF applications, backlog, and liabilities have grown rapidly, with liabilities projected around $30 billion by 2030 if no changes are made. The administration’s reforms would tighten eligibility, apply the new standards to open cases, and use QME reports and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities; DIR said this would reduce employer costs and help return the program to its original intent. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented conditions, and the interaction with another bill moving through policy committees. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant DIR positions, adding Cal/OSHA Bureau of Investigation staff to handle fatality and serious injury cases, and making permanent the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed. Finally, DIR requested a larger apprenticeship training grant augmentation to raise annual grants from $3 million to $20 million, citing available fund balances and construction workforce needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all this, what the current tax code says is look, there's an offset here.
• our accountability system, we had the opportunity in Oklahoma to ensure that no matter what your zip code
• We are the 17th most regulated state with 142,313 regulatory restrictions in our administrative code
• Receiving 4 'aye' votes and 9 'nay' votes. I declare the motion to have passed. Mr. Lear, Mr.
• But it won't Penalize them in any way. They can get right back in with a new email. Follow up.

Bills: SB1627, SB227, SB366, SB1193, SB1433, SB1450, SB1481, SB1749, SB1810, SB1812, SB1921, SB1948, SB2044, SB2178, SB169, SB1877, HB1409, SB1266, SB1432

Keywords: criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police

Transcript Highlights:

• So think of it as 8 to 9 million acre-feet per year.
• Under Chapter 36 of the Water Code, an affected person can request an inquiry into a GCD again for specific
• The authority for the program is found in Chapter 26 of the Water Code, and the geology of the Edwards
• And on this well number 9, your GPM dropped from 250 to 150.
• fee provisions of Chapter 36.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mister Speaker, I moved to Amendment to House Bill 1939, page 9, section 1, lines 10 through 11.
• Heffner, Nerey, Cantrell 86, 9 nay, having received the majority of others to the House bill to pass.
• I move to amend amendment number one to House Bill 4265, page 9, section 20, lines 2.5.
• ADi 9 nay have received the majority of those present. The bill has passed.
• Speaker, I move to amend House Bill 4490, page 6, section 3, lines 9 through 13.

Bills: HB3407, HB1242, HJR1081, HB3443, HB3781, HB1939, HB4237, HB3430, HB3321, HB3905, HB3329, HB4253, HB4421, HB4311, HJR1046, HB2015, HB3244, HB4265, HB3941, HB4203, HB2941, HB3695, HB3380, HB3132, HB3673, HB3134, HB3383, HB4490, HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• A few minutes later, we heard the page over the loud intercom: code blue.
• Ryan Spencer, on behalf of the American College of OBGYN District 9, the California Podiatric Medical
• Chavez Chapter in Sacramento.
• Item 9, SB 694, Archuleta. Calra? Aye. Calra, aye. Hart. Brian. Item 9, SB 694, Archuleta. Calra?
• We have Item 9, SB 694, Archuleta. Hart? Aye. Heart, aye. Sanchez? Aye. All right.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state penalizes them for attending a charter school.
• Castillo, aye. 9-0. The bill is out. File Item 5, AB560.
• Lowenthal, aye. 9-0. The bill is out. File Item 10, AB 935.
• Lowenthal aye. 9-0. 9-0, the bill is out.
• Do I Garcia Garcia I 9-0 9-0 the bill is out file item 27 AB 1493 the motion is do pass as amended to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Chamber Sacramento, Friday, May 23rd, 2025, the assembly met at 9 AM.
• rather than the current California building code.
• This is a shift from general commercial to simple residential code.
• We should get away from California's insane building code.
• Please tally the votes, ayes 50, noes 9, the measure passes.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state statutes under RSA chapter state statutes under RSA chapter 265-<00:03:40.239> directly
• They obtain the gift card codes store. They obtain the gift card codes and<01:06:13.119> pins.
• You have to penalize them.
• You have to penalize arrest buyers.
• But it says a person uh colon 9 uh- A.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our 9:30 a.m. agenda.
• 46 is our Friday February 7th 2025 9:46 is our Friday February 7th 2025 9:46 a.m.<00:29:57.519>
• <00:46:28.200> and Towing license under this chapter and Towing license under this chapter
• This is our 9:50 a.m.
• <01:23:25.280> in<01:23:25.440> room at 9 :30 a.m. in room at 9 :30 a.m. in room 229

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1 and SB 1561 on vegetation management near utility lines and wildfire prevention. Testimony focused on requiring DLNR to create and update wildfire hazard maps, setting vegetation-trimming responsibilities for property owners near rights-of-way and utility lines, and authorizing utilities to enter property to remove hazardous vegetation. DLNR, the PUC, and Hawaiian Electric all testified, with Hawaiian Electric asking for clearer access language, after-the-fact notification in imminent-risk situations, and liability limits. Committee members discussed balancing wildfire response with property rights and the need for clearer responsibility and enforcement, including on easements and utility poles. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1 pass with amendments, incorporating comments from testimony, and SB 1561 was deferred. The next major item was SB 640 on artificial intelligence disclosures. The bill would require businesses and individuals in commercial transactions to clearly disclose when consumers are interacting with an AI chatbot or similar technology, and it would create private rights of action and penalties. TechNet, the Office of Consumer Protection, and the Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about vague definitions, overbroad application, enforcement, and the private cause of action; the Chamber also argued the bill could burden small businesses that use AI tools for routine functions. In response to questions, OCP said the measure was ambiguous as to who it applies to and that the remedies and treble-damages provisions were unclear. The committee recommended SB 640 be deferred. The committee also heard SB 454 on prorating the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax when a vehicle is rented for only part of a day. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the proposal would make the tax system fairer but more complex and would require better recordkeeping by rental companies; the Department of Taxation and Enterprise Mobility also submitted comments. Senator Melby noted possible effects on the special highway fund and said that could affect his vote. The measure was referred onward, with the discussion indicating it would proceed to Ways and Means. Finally, the committee heard SB 1272 on towing, which would create a licensing framework for tow companies. Testimony from tow-industry representatives strongly supported the measure, describing unlicensed or noncompliant operators, poor insurance practices, and the need for accountability and consumer protection. They said a licensing board would give regulators a clearer enforcement avenue and help ensure fair treatment of vehicle owners. The hearing ended before a final action was taken on SB 1272 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as noted, judicial code of conduct.
• Chapter 93. So, nobody's doing their job.
• Chapter 93. So, nobody's doing their job.
• Chapter 93. So, nobody's doing their job.
• Chapter 93. bonded. They're not bonded. Chapter 93.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: ...So the measure that we have is 9% were answered, so about 90, 91% were not. 9% were answered
• Moving to page 9.
• They're limited on codes and such there.
• Chair: ...limited on codes and such there.
• Again, the codes are mostly local jurisdictional codes, except when you get out into the county.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one ZIP code, it was 85 years, and another six miles away, it was 68 years.
• Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
• Our statutory authority comes from Chapter 2177 of the Government Code.
• network or penalizing a pharmacist or pharmacy for refusing to participate in a network.
• So several years ago, there was a statute, I think it’s Chapter 1509 of the Insurance Code, that regulates

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of AB 782 is not to penalize communities that are already delivering results.
• Welfare and Institutions Code Section 361.5(b)(12), the bypass provision.
• When a parent has a violent felony as defined by the California Penal Code, services need not be offered
• They have a remediation period, consistent with most types of code enforcement.
• At 9:30 a.m. Good work by staff and committee. Oh, uh-oh.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's RSA 325:9, the board's rulemaking authority statute.
• It's knowing codes. It's a whole broad range of things.
• It's knowing codes. It's a whole broad range of things.
• It's knowing codes. It's a whole broad range of things.
• It's knowing codes. It's a whole safety. It's knowing codes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Members and members of the public, welcome to the Ways and Means Committee meeting of 3/9/2026.
• Today, notices are hardwired or hard-coded into MAXIS.
• subtract future benefits and we are still penalize from that.
• Instead, we blew through that raised taxes to 9 million, 9 Billion.
• And then we have 9 billion, a fraud on top of it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment, let's take up Amendment Bar Code 768-966 by Senator Claudio.
• We'll take up Amendment Bar Code 555-350 by Senator Kaladayut.
• It ensures that the Florida Building Code is consistent with the international code as it relates to
• Now we'll move on to tab 9.
• But any number of hotels and condominiums put out their own color-coded beach chairs.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Landry, are there current CPT codes that the EMTs can bill?
• Yes, so right now you have your base level code, which is A0427, A0429.
• Or you can—they can have an additional code. Some states allow it under the A0427 and the A0429.
• Some of them allow it under a different code, but allowing a different code should not be that big of
• As a senior leader, I took command as a full colonel on 9 September 2001.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 113 on the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish. The committee adopted a technical amendment and heard that the bill would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city if needed by a June 1 deadline. After brief discussion and no opposition, SB 113 was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then approved SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities licensed by LDH from the definition of food service establishment, and SB 150, which would allow LDH to scan and electronically store vital records supporting documents and return originals to citizens. SB 221 also advanced after testimony that it would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for emergency responses where treatment is provided on scene but the patient is not transported. Members discussed that the bill could reduce unnecessary ER use and likely would require some rulemaking, but it was reported favorably. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 404, a broad vision benefit plan reform bill. Supporters, including optometrists, said the measure would improve transparency, patient choice, and access to eye care by limiting restrictive plan practices; opponents from the vision care plan industry argued it was an unprecedented, provider-driven overhaul that could raise costs and reduce flexibility. After extensive testimony and an agreed amendment clarifying network participation, the committee reported SB 404 favorably with amendments. The committee also reported SB 32 favorably with amendments after emotional testimony from parents and advocates about perinatal bereavement care, cooling devices, and training for hospitals to give grieving families more time and dignity after infant loss. Finally, the committee heard SB 43, which would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within LDH for clinical research and treatment involving ibogaine and psilocybin, with testimony from veterans, researchers, and advocates describing potential benefits for PTSD, substance use, and traumatic brain injury. The bill was reported favorably with amendments and set to pass a courtesy sheet. The committee then began SB 253, a bill regulating peptides and compounding pharmacies, adopted technical amendments clarifying provider liability, and continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is items 3, AB 20, 242, item 9, AB 618, item 10, AB 627. Secretary, please call the roll.
• In summary, penalizing our plans for things that, to a certain extent, are outside of their control doesn't
• Tim Madden, representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
• I also sit on the board of directors for the California chapter of the American College of Emergency
• safe in our emergency department by holding them under Section 1799 of the Welfare and Institutions Code

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many provisions in this bill code.
• Article 3, section 9, beginning on line<00:56:53.599> 26.16, Article 3, section 9, beginning on
• <01:05:11.599> MDE subp paragraph of federal code. MDE subp paragraph of federal code.
• <01:05:17.280> of to comply with the full chapter of to comply with the full chapter of federal
• For grades 9 through 12.

Keywords: 1183, house