Transcript Highlights:

• NOT THINKING ABOUT A STORAGE UNIT WHILE THEY'RE GETTING AUNT JAN TO BE MOVED CLOSER TO THEM.
• THEY CANCELED HER CREDIT CARDS AND THE STORAGE UNIT IS ABOUT TO BE SOLD.
• AND IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES THE STUFF IN THE UNIT IS NOT VALUABLE.
• THEY JUST WANT TO FREE UP THE UNIT SO THEY CAN RENT IT BACK OUT.
• AND THAT'S PROBABLY FIVE, SIX, SEVEN UNITS PER AD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Apprentice will lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and
• Remember, same-sex marriage is a constitutional right in the United States plus a law in New Hampshire
• </c><00:10:03.519><c> right</c><00:10:04.080><c> in</c><00:10:04.320><c> the</c><00:10:04.480><c> United
• </c> is a constitutional right in the United is a constitutional right in the United States<00:10:05.360
• </c><00:42:26.000><c> decided</c> United States decided United States decided to<00:42:27.920><c> share

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• AB 108 is a budget bill junior that amends Bill Jr. that amends the Budget Act to provide funding for
• We also give thanks for the freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy in the United States, and for the
• Thank you, and may God bless you all, and may God bless the United States of America.
• the sacrifices made by those who escaped oppression in pursuit of freedom and opportunity in the United

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted. The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls. Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the ways in which the affected landscapes and peoples of Vermont and the northern northeastern United
• ><c> northeastern</c> Vermont and the northern northeastern Vermont and the northern northeastern United
• </c> United States. United States.
• Um, Isaac Archer is a junior and is majoring in sociology and political science, and would you please

Transcript Highlights:

• They do have dedicated memory care units that kind of allow them opportunities and appropriate space
• Of those, there's hospital-based units, which equate to just under 600 beds, and the state, as of the
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Some of them are placed in psychiatric units within hospitals, closed-down units, which are going to

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Marty Wright, CEO of the West Virginia Healthcare Association, on the state’s long-term care system. He described the continuum from home care to assisted living to skilled nursing facilities, emphasizing that these settings increasingly serve short-term rehab-to-home patients as well as older adults needing round-the-clock care. He also outlined the number of facilities in West Virginia, the predominance of Medicaid as the payer for long-term nursing home care, the private-pay nature of assisted living, and the role of OFAC/CMS in regulation. A major focus of the presentation was workforce shortages and turnover, especially for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, along with declining interest in nursing careers and the impact of regulatory burden and burnout. Wright said the system is also struggling to serve younger patients with substance use disorder, mental illness, or other behavioral needs, who are often not well suited for traditional nursing home placement but have limited alternatives. Senators raised concerns about where such patients are being housed, the long-term effects of opioid and behavioral health issues, and the gap between school-age special needs populations and adult care needs. Wright said Medicaid can cover long-term nursing home care for those who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, but affordability and spend-down requirements remain major barriers. He also warned that Medicare Advantage can create confusion and shorter covered stays for rehab patients, and he urged early planning around long-term care insurance and estate planning. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• and town homes that aren't dwellings and town homes that aren't eligible<01:03:42.240><c> for</c><01
• </c><01:10:08.159><c> will</c><01:10:08.360><c> be</c> leases or you know units will be leases or you
• know units will be reserved<01:10:09.560><c> for</c><01:10:10.360><c> um</c><01:10:11.159><c> local<
• We have thousands of units throughout the state where we have significant building code violations.
• um here's the on the sale of the unit um here's the remedy<02:08:44.559><c> for</c><02:08:44.760><c>

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The Committee on Housing held a public hearing on January 31 and heard testimony on a series of housing and building-code bills. The first major item, HB 1 relating to building codes, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including BIA Hawaii, Grassroot Institute, Dr. Horton, and several builders and trade groups, argued the current code-adoption process is slow, fragmented, and costly, and that reform would help housing production. Opponents, including Sierra Club Hawaii, AIA Hawaii, ICC, and labor representative Kiko Bosi, said the bill would weaken public safety, reduce statewide consistency, and could leave tenants and first responders at greater risk. No vote was taken during the hearing, and members asked questions about the effect of a governor’s emergency proclamation suspending the Building Code Council and about county authority over code amendments. The committee then heard HB 745 and HB 1321, both also relating to building codes. Grassroot Institute supported both measures, saying the system is broken and needs streamlining, while BIA Hawaii and others emphasized the cost burden of repeated code updates. Opponents, especially Bosi and ICC, argued that the bills would undermine the State Building Code Council’s role, create confusion, and prioritize cost over safety; Bosi also said labor should be included in any code discussions. Members questioned whether counties can remove state code provisions and whether the state code already supersedes county codes, and one member noted the need for clarity and consistent enforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul. Later, the committee heard HB 284 on housing, HB 761 on county permitting and inspection, and HB 738 on historic preservation. HB 284 drew support from several housing and real estate groups, while DLNR opposed it. On HB 761, HHFDC supported the bill, DLNR warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize Hawaii’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, DAGS said it would likely need to duplicate county permitting staff, and the Department of Planning and Permitting opposed it; Grassroot Institute and NAIOP supported it. For HB 738, HHFDC, DLNR, Grassroot Institute, Hawaii YIMBY, NAIOP, and others supported the measure, with Grassroot and NAIOP suggesting clarifications so expedited review would also cover mixed-use projects and better define the scope of work. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are, they're using their junior money essentially to appropriate money for this.
• some numbers as to whether or not the amount of money that state charters received through these junior

Transcript Highlights:

• Please bless the United States of America But we also ask that you continue to bless the place that we
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I am honored as somebody born in Laredo and grew up there and attended Laredo Junior.
• It's been recognized as a best city to live in in Texas. and in the United States I and my family are
• Agreements between this state and the United Mexican States.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bachelor's in applied sciences could allow students to earn a path to a 90-unit bachelor's degree
• instead of the more common 120 units.
• and there were some things I really, I think, you know, this was really exciting to hear about: a 90-unit
• Santa Rosa Junior College, Peralta Community College.
• more students in, more summer programs for students who are coming in to get ahead and take several units

Transcript Highlights:

• We would note that research shows that students who receive just 15 units of credit for prior learning
• It will allow for improved tracking of student course-taking units and progress across the system and
• trying to understand how we made this decision in the first place, and if people aren't building the units
• Santa Rosa Junior College, in particular, had originally started through a revenue bond at CSFA.
• are the only one of the three system offices that doesn't have a centralized civil rights office or unit

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty. The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios. The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• In fact, I just got back with them yesterday from Baltimore because it's also the Nesbitt Junior chapter

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer marking World Water Day, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then suspended Senate Rule 55 to allow guests on the floor. Several special introductions followed, including California Wildlife Photo of the Year winner Alice Cahill, outgoing Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham, Avalon Fire Chief Michael Alegría, and a Cal Poly Pomona student delegation participating in CHESS/CSU Lobby Day. Members praised Bonham’s long service and the students’ advocacy on higher education issues. The Assembly’s passage of AB 2156 was announced, and the Senate approved the March 16–19 journals as corrected. The chamber then took up SCR 132, designating March 22, 2026 as California STEAM Robotics Day. The author and supporting senators emphasized robotics and STEAM education as hands-on preparation for careers in engineering, AI, manufacturing, and other technical fields, and highlighted partnerships with industry and programs such as FIRST Robotics. The resolution passed on a 34-0 vote. Afterward, the author introduced robotics students and industry representatives, including Ethan Wynn of Poway High School and leaders from Garner Holt Productions, to recognize their work in STEAM education and robotics. The Senate next considered five gubernatorial appointments, all brought by Senator Grove: Paul Toopee to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Peter Britery to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, Dr. Youngping Chen and Gregory Lung to the California Acupuncture Board, and Roy Mather to the Board of Pilot Commissioners. Each nominee was described as experienced in the relevant field and each was confirmed unanimously, 34-0. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 62(a) to allow the Committee on Governmental Organization to hear AB 2156 on March 24 without sufficient notice. In closing, Senator Blakespear requested adjournment in memory of Anne Colchin, a longtime Carlsbad city councilmember and civic leader remembered for decades of public service, environmental stewardship, and community planning. The Senate agreed to memorialize her, then announced that members would proceed to the Assembly chambers for the joint convention and State of the Judiciary address, with the next floor session scheduled for March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• In fact, I just got back with them yesterday from Baltimore because it’s also the Nesbitt Junior chapter

Transcript Highlights:

• States and complete training in the United States.
• Telemedicine services in mobile stroke units are essential.
• So would United Health Care be referring them to their United Health Care doctors?
• I mean, it is in a way, not to be cynical, United Health Care doctors.
• That's the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Our people will not be traveling to the United States.'
• Our people will not be traveling to the United States.'
• What does it say about the interests of the United States that a project designed to unite communities
• States Regional Arts Organizations the United States Regional Arts Organizations the United States Regional
• Our history is in the interest of the United States.

Committee: House House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of recent federal policy and budget actions on Massachusetts libraries, humanities organizations, arts institutions, and tourism. Testimony from library leaders described the loss or jeopardy of Institute of Museum and Library Services funding, including statewide databases, local grants, staff positions, E-rate/hotspot support, and digital equity programs. Witnesses said the cuts have already forced reductions in services, canceled grants and workshops, and in some cases left schools, students, job seekers, and low-income patrons without access to key resources. Members of the committee asked for lists of affected communities and databases, and several witnesses said they would provide additional written detail. Arts and humanities witnesses said federal terminations from the NEA, NEH, and IMLS have hit organizations across the Commonwealth, including Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Mass MoCA, and local museums and historical societies. They described canceled or rescinded grants, layoffs, reduced programming, and a chilling effect on future applications and on artistic and scholarly work, especially where federal awards had already been matched with local or private funds. Several speakers also raised concerns about executive-branch DEI conditions attached to funding and about book challenges and book banning, saying these trends threaten intellectual freedom and public access to culture and history. Committee members emphasized the economic importance of the sector and the need to publicize the impacts. Tourism officials from Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism testified that federal cuts and broader geopolitical and tariff issues are hurting international visitation, especially from Canada and Western Europe, and could affect major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and Sail Boston. They said reduced funding for Brand USA and Discover New England will weaken long-term marketing efforts and international partnerships, with downstream effects on hotel tax revenue, jobs, and workforce recruitment. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members mainly asking questions and requesting follow-up written testimony and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will is a junior at Auburn University Will is a junior at Auburn University and<00:30:52.559><c> is</
• </c> enrollment with a junior college. enrollment with a junior college.
• </c> better place than the the junior better place than the the junior colleges<05:19:44.320><c> teaching
• </c> where there aren't any uh junior where there aren't any uh junior colleges<05:20:10.240><c> for<
• for these with a junior college for these particular<05:22:08.000><c> skills.

Summary: The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players. After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The project will make the Prattville facility the largest softwood pulp mill in the United States.
• </c><00:32:58.640><c> Whereas</c><00:32:58.960><c> the</c> mill in the United States.
• Whereas the mill in the United States.
• We're talking about... junior reserve officer training.
• <01:18:28.159><c> reserve</c><01:18:28.480><c> office</c> &gt;&gt; junior reserve office &gt;&gt; junior

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• tell you this is an issue for any district primarily with more than one high school or more than one junior
• I hope you’ll put some factor in for high districts that have multiple high schools and multiple junior
• We have just 104 students in our junior-senior high school combined.
• I played in the junior high marching band.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• when working with teens, part of what I'm doing right now is going out into the high schools and junior
• And also just with food, you know, with high school students and junior high, like when you get food.
• And also just with food, you know, with high school students and junior high, like when you get food,
• It doesn't need to happen in junior high and high school.

Summary: The Select Committee on Domestic Violence, chaired by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, held an informational hearing focused first on teen dating violence and healthy relationships, then on the impact of domestic violence on children. Rubio opened by describing domestic violence as pervasive and lifelong in its effects, and said the meeting was prompted in part by recent teen violence in her district and the need to help families, educators, and neighbors recognize warning signs and resources. Assembly Members Stefani, Gibson, Rodriguez, Alanis, and others shared personal experiences and emphasized the need for prevention, early intervention, and better support systems for victims and children. Janica Morin Pasquale and Taylor Stone Mill described how teen abuse often shows up through technology and social media control, isolation from friends, monitoring of phones and passwords, and coercive behavior that teens may mistake for love or jealousy. They stressed that many teens do not tell parents, that schools should bring in outside experts, and that prevention should start early and be reinforced through school curricula, athletics, and youth-facing social media resources. Taylor also cited teen dating violence statistics, discussed resources such as Love Is Respect and Take It Down, and said California should ensure consistent funding and implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act rather than treating the topic as a one-time lesson. The second panel, including Joyce Blue, Susie Flores, and Dr. Pamela Tate, focused on children exposed to domestic violence and the need for trauma-informed services. They described family justice centers and children’s advocacy centers as one-stop models that provide forensic interviews, therapy, safety planning, legal help, and emergency response. Speakers highlighted the prevalence and danger of strangulation, the use of risk assessment tools, the importance of safety plans, and the long-term effects of ACEs and trauma on children. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers such as school access, burnout among providers, immigration-related fear, and the need to consider memory and delayed disclosure when discussing statutes of limitations. No formal votes or actions were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with calls for stronger prevention, more collaboration, and sustained support for survivors and children.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a dancer, singer, and film performer, she captivated audiences across Europe and the United States
• Her life also reflects the enduring friendship between the United States and France.
• Her life also reflects the enduring friendship between the United States and France.
• Her life also reflects the enduring friendship between the United States and France.
• She's a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying journalism and came down to visit with

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• , again, middle school, junior high, who stated that he sent the threat because he thought that was a
• ><c> junior</c><00:10:25.760><c> high,</c><00:10:26.880><c> uh</c> again, middle school, junior high,
• I can honestly tell you I was a detective for nine years with the threat assessment unit.
• It is one of the greatest inventions of the United States.
• But to make it work, we United States.

Committee: Senate Education Policy