Transcript Highlights:

• Many people in these areas face language access challenges and barriers.
• Many people in these areas face language access challenges and barriers.
• The agencies, I mean, try to avoid...
• California's own energy agencies confirmed in their 2021 joint agency report that nuclear meets SB 100
• It is not clear that any agency is in charge.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the challenge of teacher retention. of the challenge of teacher retention.
• I've been blessed with challenges.
• </c> between our state and local agencies. between our state and local agencies.
• </c> agencies do, to be very blunt. agencies do, to be very blunt. Thank<01:14:09.880><c> you.
• It's designed for our state agencies, and then we have listed a couple of the partners that agencies

Bills: HF4213 , HF4198 , HF3930 , HF3585 , HF3451

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a monumental task to address the challenges faced by our youngest Texans.
• There are only 33 agencies contracted with Texas Medicaid to provide ABA services, and 85% of those agencies
• But community providers like us serve very high medical and behavioral challenges as well.
• We are a licensed home health agency that provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
• Age pressures, inflation, workforce shortages, and staff turnover are significant challenges.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:42.000><c> council</c> changes to the US inter agency council changes to the US inter agency
• Um, but this is a CTF bill and not an agency bill just to clarify.
• Um, but this is a CTF bill and not an agency bill just to clarify.
• Uh, one veterans even more challenging.
• Um, I think the agency is Affairs.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would challenge anybody to try that and...
• I would challenge anybody to try that and...
• I would challenge anybody to try that and...
• I would challenge anybody to try that and...
• </c><00:21:51.799><c> have</c> prime a few of the agencies have prime a few of the agencies have expressed

Bills: HF1234 , HF1956 , HF1025 , HF1172 , HF791

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• All the other agencies, I think, get tax breaks on their facilities.
• It's about the next agency that's going to come to you.
• It's about the next agency necessarily.
• </c><00:26:14.799><c> And</c> our other agencies around the state.
• And our other agencies around the state.

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can always challenge the ruling of the chair, and we'll take a vote on that, right?
• You can always challenge the ruling of the chair, and we'll take a vote on that, right?
• And you all can challenge the ruling of the chair. And you all can take me up on the floor.
• And you all can challenge the ruling of the chair. And you all can take me up on the floor.
• Chair, Senator Brantley, one of the challenges that law enforcement agencies encounter with, for example

Bills: SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• State Services for the Blind is also part of our agency.
• State Services for the Blind is also part of our agency.
• State Services for the Blind is also part of our agency.
• </c> because we're working with that agency because we're working with that agency to<00:56:16.119><c
• </c> transferred somehow through your agency transferred somehow through your agency to<01:43:02.679>

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> enforcement mu state or federal agencies enforcement mu state or federal agencies to<00:53:13.599
• Uh, agencies that are enforcing them.
• /c><00:57:13.520><c> that</c> practice, I've represented agencies that practice, I've represented agencies
• </c> give state Medicaid agencies. give state Medicaid agencies.
• </c> integrity and addressing the challenges integrity and addressing the challenges that<01:14:54.560

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: long-term care, insurance policy, healthcare, partnership policy, Minnesota, human services, wage increase, support workers, shared services, community first services, medical assistance, sanctions, healthcare services, monetary recovery, government accountability, assisted living, training, unlicensed personnel, resident rights, safety regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• The setting shapes us, and the challenges we face in the future we are working to build.
• So SB 1114 simply says that state agencies will not share that data with federal agencies unless it is
• But in all other cases, our state agencies will not be providing that data to federal agencies.
• Instead, the bill assumes agencies will get it right on their own.
• In every aspect, every aspect of agency operation. There is some process.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those all make 2024-25 an unusually challenging year.
• Those all make 2024-25 an unusually challenging year.
• the way a challenge would be framed might affect how a court would view it.
• Yeah, I think we're tracking a couple of fiscal challenges districts are facing.
• LEAs, or local education agencies, fiscal health.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state agencies currently are spending money.
• That's what the taxpayers are paying the agency to do.
• And we have some challenging times with 34 districts.
• In last year's biennial budget, we gave each state agency.
• So we have asked all of our state agencies, So we have asked all of our state agencies to take fairly

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROGRAM RELIES ON COLLABORATION WITH OUR SISTER AGENCIES AS YOU CAN SEE HERE.
• LISTEN SISTER AGENCIES WAS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.
• WE WORK LARGELY WITH AGENCIES OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY NOTED.
• AS NOTED BEFORE WE HAD A KICKOFF MEETING JUNE 2025 WITH ALL OUR SISTER AGENCIES PICK THE AGENCY, ARC
• MY TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my challenge to everyone is to, yes, please raise your hand.
• It also addresses a few new changes from last year, that is, changes to minor works, giving agencies
• The department licenses and regulates behavioral health agencies, including opioid treatment programs
• The process before you is designed to address those challenges. ...when the Lemon Law comes in.
• Steve, so my experience retroactivity is a challenge. Do you see this?

Bills: SB5872 , SB5879 , SB6047 , SB5988 , SB5923 , SB5832 , SB5970 , SB5994 , SB5949

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: preK promise account, early childhood education, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, state treasury, trust fund, investment earnings, gift grants donations, dedicated account, general fund, nonreverting balance, appropriation, treasurer, Washington early learning, school readiness, education assistance program, legislative audit

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it material support to represent a group in challenging this designation?
• to challenge a designation on the federal level.
• So again, just challenging your assertion and asking you to respond to this, please.
• Anybody has the ability to challenge that in court.
• So the agency would need to be able to respond, if challenged in a court of law, with why they would

Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 536, which updates Florida’s criminal gang statutes to reflect modern gang recruitment and communication methods, including social media and encrypted messaging. Senator Martin said the bill does not criminalize gang membership, but clarifies definitions used for gang-related enhancements and law enforcement investigations. Members raised concerns about the meaning of “observed in the company” of gang members and possible impacts on businesses and bikers; Martin said the language was not intended to reach ordinary business customers and that the bill still requires other criteria. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably after debate, with some members supporting it and others warning it was still too broad. The committee also approved CS/SB 762, allowing cross-jurisdictional assignment of conflict capital cases with cost and reporting requirements, after an amendment emphasizing judicial economy and geographic proximity; the bill was described as a cost-saving measure and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1742, creating a new offense for indecent exposure or sexual acts directed at minors under 16, was amended to align with the House version and to cover observing a child for sexual gratification, then reported favorably. CS/SB 1750, increasing penalties and mandatory minimums for serious sex crimes and child sexual abuse material offenses, was amended to restore some current-law provisions and limit reclassification to offenders who were 18 or older at the time of the offense, then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1582 on statewide data sharing for secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions, along with its companion public-records bill SB 1792, both described as theft-prevention and law-enforcement tools with confidentiality protections and stakeholder support. CS/SB 500, providing FDLE protective security for major-party nominees for statewide constitutional offices, was also reported favorably after a technical amendment. The longest and most contentious discussion was on CS/SB 1632, which would create a process for Florida to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, restrict courts from enforcing foreign or religious law when it conflicts with state or federal law, and bar public funds from supporting designated organizations. Senator Graal said the bill targets conduct, not belief, and creates due-process protections through written findings, public notice, cabinet action, and judicial review. Senator Smith and Senator Polsky repeatedly questioned whether the bill’s use of terms like “promotion” could chill protected speech, academic debate, protest activity, or legal representation, and whether the designation process could be used politically or against religious and advocacy groups. Graal said promotion was meant to cover support for illegal acts, not mere disagreement or academic speech, and said she was open to clarifying language. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it was vague, unconstitutional, and likely to be used against Muslim communities, students, nonprofits, and dissenting political speech; a few supporters argued it was needed for public safety and to prevent state support for terrorism. The committee did not take a final vote on CS/SB 1632 in the portion provided, and the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like us to challenge ourselves to be really creative there.
• But this is the part that I think is the great challenge for all of us.
• I would say, Lisa with the Natural Resources Agency, you're right.
• If we have to go it alone, it will be more challenging. The progress will be slower.
• Getting participation has been a challenge; not everybody trusts the government.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who look toward us for solutions to their challenges and their difficulties.
• There are various agencies such as the Coastal Conservancy today that is approving money out the door
• Colleagues, this is an emergency, and if we don't act today these transit agencies will have to make
• But let me just make clear, the agencies in question asked for this. That's why we got here.
• When Tracy's right to vote was challenged, she fought tirelessly to restore that right.

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate. Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted in the agenda, CalOSHA has been challenged with an unusually high vacancy rate for the past
• labor agency and DIR executive leadership all the way down to the first-line supervisors.
• We have employers, we have local agencies, we have state agencies, and you're here today to ask for four
• and we all know how government agencies are great.
• We hosted workshops in collaboration with state agencies. agencies on workplace issues, including wage

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can address those separately, the agency or the secretary.
• Is that something that the agency could commit to?
• That's something that the agency could commit to?
• involve some other agency action, such as a permit being issued by a state agency.
• state agency actions...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held an oversight hearing on draft regulations implementing Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution under Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, the Open Space Act. Chairs Cabral and Collins framed the hearing as a review of how the new process for dispositions or changes in use of Article 97 land would work, including public notice, environmental justice protections, replacement land, appraisals, and the role of the legislature. Under Secretary Stephanie Cooper and Commissioner Adam Bakke testified for EEA/DCAM, followed later by Deputy Inspector General O’Neill and Deputy Inspector General Giles on appraisal review. Much of the discussion focused on how the draft regulations would operate in practice. EEA said the regulations would require advance public notice, define “comparable location” for replacement land, and allow the Secretary to make findings on whether an action would adversely affect environmental justice communities. Members pressed for longer public comment periods, clearer notice to local officials, more frequent updates to the site evaluation tool, and a clearer definition of terms such as “limited duration” for permits and licenses. EEA said the regulations are intended to standardize a process that has been handled through policy and case-by-case review, and that the legislature still retains the final authority to approve any Article 97 disposition. Committee members also questioned whether the draft rules shift too much discretion to the Secretary and whether the proposed “proponent” process could allow private entities to drive Article 97 actions. EEA responded that non-public proponents would still need municipal support and legislative sponsorship, and that the regulations do not create a new avenue to bypass the existing home rule and legislative process. Members raised concerns about the current policy’s unanimous-vote requirements for municipal commissions, the proposed waiver provisions, whether MEPA applies, and the lack of explicit enforcement or penalty language in the act or regulations. EEA and DCAM said the act does not provide an enforcement mechanism and that disputes would generally be handled through the courts or the Attorney General. The Inspector General’s office explained its role in reviewing appraisals for special legislation, including Article 97 matters, to ensure compliance with USPAP standards and to forward its review to DCAM. The hearing did not include any votes or formal committee action; members indicated that the committee may later issue recommendations to the executive agencies based on the testimony and questions raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• On December 23, 2025, we joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging U.S.
• So those are things on the back end that we are able to do through our agencies.
• So those are things on the back end that we are able to do through our agencies.
• We understand the fundamental challenge that the federal government has created.
• So unfortunately, I don't have an update on the status of that challenge.

Keywords: 988, house, all