Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that pays for medical help. that pays for medical help.
• to pay?
• to pay?
• to pay?
• He's not paying me my alimony. He money. He's not paying me my alimony.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• If tenants cannot pay the rent on time, there are local programs that help pay the rent.
• If tenants cannot pay the rent on time, there are local programs that help pay the rent.
• cards pay the landlord directly. to anybody who needs to pay, and those credit cards pay the landlord
• And having the three-day notice to pay or quit gave the tenant an opportunity to pay their rent.
• We raise money. It's a huge demand.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate bills by Senator Umberg. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two years’ notice before changing the multiple-choice question vendor for the bar exam and restoring a more traditional exam delivery method after the February exam problems. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger filings to improve antitrust review; supporters said it would reduce delays and duplication, while members discussed how it would work alongside federal review. SB 36 would strengthen California’s price-gouging laws after the January 2025 firestorms by requiring reporting from listing platforms, expanding consumer enforcement, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; it drew support from consumer advocates and opposition from business groups. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent calendar and moved SB 25, SB 36, and SB 253 out of committee, with SB 36 receiving some no votes and being placed on call before final action. The committee then heard SB 413 by Senator Allen, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by the subject of the file against child welfare or probation agencies. Supporters, including Los Angeles County and county associations, said the bill would reduce costly and repetitive petitions and speed litigation while preserving redactions and confidentiality protections. The Youth Law Center opposed unless amended, warning that bypassing juvenile court review could expose sensitive information and weaken long-standing privacy protections for youth. After discussion about who could access the records and what safeguards remained, the committee passed SB 413 as amended to Appropriations. Next, Senator Becker presented SB 770, which would remove the requirement that a homeowner installing an EV charger in a common-interest development name the HOA as an additional insured. Supporters argued the insurance requirement is confusing, difficult to obtain, and an unnecessary barrier to EV adoption; opponents from HOA and property groups warned it could shift liability and costs to associations. Members focused heavily on insurance and indemnity questions, and the bill was moved out of committee to Insurance. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the residential pay-or-quit notice from three days to 14 days. Supporters said the longer notice would help tenants cure late rent, avoid eviction, and prevent homelessness, while opponents argued it would burden landlords, could be misused repeatedly, and might inadvertently affect commercial leases. The committee engaged in extensive debate over landlord hardship, tenant protections, and possible guardrails; the bill was ultimately held on call for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your right hand.
• Raise your right hand.
• Would you please raise your right hand?
• Would you please raise your right hand?
• Raise your right hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Although it was raised to $11 million that year, it has not increased since, even as demand continued
• So this is something that I'm actually meeting with a special prosecutor in our county, our DA.
• But the dividends, the investment, is paying back time and time again. But is it enough?
• I served with the 82nd Airborne, as you all know, and he received back pay, $65,000.
• There was significant back pay and those things. I just don't have the dollar amount.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was raised through the 1950s and 60s in Colorado, being told it doesn't matter that you were adopted
• </c> of removing donor anonymity I was raised of removing donor anonymity I was raised full<00:21:18.320
• this because this is one I raised.
• </c> to go about conceiving them and raising to go about conceiving them and raising them<00:30:22.279
• And I raised this because obviously there's very serious personal things that only one can experience

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our prosecutors will continue seeking justice in meaningful ways.
• Our prosecutors will continue seeking justice and meaningful accountability.
• People make the false claims that the data centers will raise your electrical rates.
• We were considered backward, and then I think all but two states raised the drinking age.
• They’re all raising families, doing jobs. But, you know...

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, the sheriffs, the chiefs, the police, I mean, the prosecutors, everybody supported the bill
• perpetrators earlier, or at the very least, if the worst happens and one of our clients slash victims later pays
• perpetrators earlier, or at the very least, if the worst happens and one of our clients slash victims later pays

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And please raise your right hand.
• Please raise your right hand.
• I was born and raised in Daytona Beach.
• Please raise your right hand.
• Please raise your right hand. And do... Yes, I know. I'm right here. Please raise your right hand.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And pays for a universal use of one.
• They pay for their own.
• Would pay for that.
• But the state wouldn't pay for that because it...
• They would just have to pay for that themselves.

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• But um pay was just too low.
• </c> know, goes uh starving can't pay bills. know, goes uh starving can't pay bills.
• </c> million what is it paying for? million what is it paying for?
• </c> paying. We can provide an updated table. paying. We can provide an updated table.
• </c> prosecutors in each branch. prosecutors in each branch.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, even given that narrow scope, prosecutors who are the most powerful actors in the criminal legal
• And yet, even given that narrow scope, prosecutors, who are the most powerful actors in the criminal

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation declaring March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Guests recognized included ACLU of Arizona volunteers for Lobby Day, a student intern, a doctor of the day specializing in dementia care, and members of the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects for Architecture Advocacy Day. The chamber also received several appointments to committees and a series of House messages and bills for introduction and first reading. The main floor action was third reading votes on multiple measures. The Senate passed SB 1011, SB 1017, SB 1170, SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1275, SB 1332, SB 1544, SB 1557, SB 1585 on reconsideration, SCR 1022, SB 1273, and SB 1274, with most votes falling along a 17-9 or 16-10 split. Several senators explained their no votes, raising concerns about mandatory minimum drug penalties, juvenile court changes, diversion policy, and the light rail feasibility study; supporters argued for public safety, judicial discretion, or the need for updated studies and voter review. On SCR 1022, which would refer a constitutional amendment on legislative member districts, supporters argued Arizona’s House is too small for its population and should be expanded, while opponents said the idea needed more study before going to voters. The Senate also heard committee announcements for the next day, including meetings for Health and Human Services, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Education, Judiciary and Elections, and Public Safety. The body then adjourned until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 18: local law enforcement are submitting them to the prosecutors.
• That way, when they submit the report to the prosecutor... ...to say February, but I think April aligns

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> like we added $3 million for prosecutors like we added $3 million for prosecutors and<00:37:45.760
• We need to pay our bills. This is a great idea for paying our bills long term.
• I just ask that you not vote for the status quo. raised the corpus of our permanent funds raised the
• Um, but the way it was financed was not pay as you go. It's we'll pay it when the bill comes due.
• Um, but the way it was financed was not pay as you go. It's we'll pay it when the bill comes due.

Transcript Highlights:

• the right price a comprehensive view of people's identities, including addresses, Who pays the right
• These definitions enable the monetization of personal information without meaningful consent, raising
• These amendments also address the encroachment on First Amendment rights that opposition raised last
• And real women and girls pay the price. Here's what happened at San Jose State University.
• That we have raised have pretty much been mitigated by the amendments.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why they raised their children in the United States, without passing on the trauma of their youth
• the IHRA definition is an educational tool, and it's meant to inform policymakers and police and prosecutors
• in particular is something that we should all work to prevent, and so I very much appreciate it. raising

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in that we used to uh we used to raise in that we used to uh we used to raise our<00:14:42.040><
• One would be to raise the fines on the bad guys that get convicted of these offenses.
• Uh, we can pay for it ourselves if we can just access the money that we take in.
• We can pay for it ourselves if we can just access the money that we take in.
• </c> an elderly gentleman who couldn't pay an elderly gentleman who couldn't pay his<00:20:34.600><c>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The pay for five different Rolls Royces, the three things that actually matter to BLM.
• The other thing that we would like to raise, I know that some of the affordable housing community would
• There's reducing the department's enforcement activities or raising fees or finding some other revenue
• This trailer bill raises several constitutional issues.
• We pay two years in arrears that's for 23-24 fiscal year shortfall be paid in a 25-26 budget year and

Transcript Highlights:

• The day before, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for misleading
• Those amendments also limited these heightened penalties to public prosecutors, who are more likely to
• The amendments before you today strengthen this approach by addressing concerns raised by stakeholders
• As my colleague indicated, two main issues I wanted to raise with you: first, on risk assessment, and
• So since that bill has been signed into law, copyright holders raise some concerns regarding potential

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply increases the maximum annual amount each seller of travel is required to pay to the
• This bill will close the Epstein loophole by banning prosecutors from keeping the identities of human
• The program provides modest monthly cash assistance to help pay for food, rent, clothing, and other essentials
• The program provides modest monthly cash assistance to help pay for food, rent, clothing, and other essentials

Transcript Highlights:

• the original bill, obviously, we had some significant concerns about many of the questions that you raised—any
• There's a couple of issues, questions that I think you raised that we'd like to work with the sponsor
• She then raised another concern about safe storage, saying she did not see anything in the bill that
• She also raised a consumer concern: if a person is in a car wreck and the car is being stored, there
• Senator Martin explained that when he was a prosecutor, it was shocking to learn that if somebody never

Bills: S0260 , S1220 , S1352 , S1362 , S1370

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal, fire safety, tow yard, impound, storage fee, administration fee, local ordinance, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, insurance coverage, motor vehicle insurer