Transcript Highlights:

• , Senate concurrent resolution 25 with amendments and Senate bill 50 with amendments.
• Senate Bill 132 by the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review.
• Senate Bill 409. Ayes 71. Ayes 71, noes 0. Senate Bill 558. Ayes 71, noes 0.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 46. Ayes 71, noes 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 47.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution Ayes 71, noes 0, Senate concurrent resolution 72, Ayes 71, noes 0, Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• Republican staff who have worked hard on this process.
• The staff and many of the... ...committee staff, to the Republican staff who have worked hard on this
• Can I just get that confirmation from staff?
• Good afternoon, Chair, members, and staff.
• Members, staff of the committee, staff of the Department of Finance, Jeremy Smith here on behalf of the

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the final three-party budget agreement and related trailer bills, with the Department of Finance outlining the major budget bill and omnibus measures. Finance described a package built around balancing the state budget amid economic uncertainty, preserving core health and safety-net programs, and making significant ongoing reductions in some state programs. The budget bill included major items such as shifting $1 billion from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for Cal Fire, funding universal transitional kindergarten, deferring some UC and CSU funding, supporting foster care and homelessness programs, providing Proposition 36 implementation funding, and achieving Medi-Cal savings through changes to benefits and eligibility. The committee also heard that votes on the budget bills were expected later in the week and the following Monday. Finance then walked through the trailer bills, including health, human services, early learning, education, resources, energy, transportation, labor, housing, tax, public safety, courts, general government, cannabis, and energy-related measures. Notable provisions included a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for certain adults, new premiums and benefit changes for some immigrants, child care COLA changes, education funding for literacy, teacher support, universal meals, and community college student support, as well as resource and climate measures affecting Cal Fire staffing and energy permitting. The housing trailer bill drew the most discussion, with provisions on CEQA streamlining, a vehicle miles traveled mitigation banking program, a renters’ credit trigger, and a six-year moratorium on new residential building standards. Members also discussed a film tax credit expansion, cannabis enforcement funding, a tribal police pilot program, and changes to tax policy, including military retirement income exclusions and wildfire settlement payment exclusions. Committee members largely praised the staff and the budget process, but several raised concerns and asked detailed questions, especially about the housing trailer bill’s new wage standards, tribal consultation provisions, and possible effects on prevailing wage protections. Finance explained that the housing language was intended to set wage floors for market-rate projects receiving CEQA streamlining, with different county-based tiers and a notwithstanding clause preserving existing prevailing wage laws. Members also questioned the size and timing of funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Clean Cars for All, Proposition 36, and the film tax credit expansion. Other members highlighted support for public safety, veterans’ tax relief, child care providers, housing production, and higher education, while some expressed concern that the budget’s policy changes were being negotiated too quickly or without enough stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hughes? Senator Colchorce? Senator Menendez? A quorum is present. Chairman Meyer, good.
• Senator Perry. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Eastland, thank you, Senator.
• I know every offseason, we have several meetings as a family and with staff to find out, Senator, what

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• </c> that were brought over by the Senate. that were brought over by the Senate.
• But I do want to jump off into a huge thank you for the staff, the nonpartisan staff, Mr.
• So, thank you to the staff, the partisan staff on the DFL and the GOP side. Just fantastic.
• But I do want to jump off into a huge thank you for the staff, the nonpartisan staff, Mr.
• But I do want to jump off into a huge thank you for the staff, the nonpartisan staff, Mr.

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• Thank you, and thanks to your committee staff as well.
• Senator Galgiani, thanks for the testimony.
• any of your staff are watching, we...
• Natalia Garcia, staff for Assemblymember Ward.
• Your staff did a wonderful job. They're the best staff in the building. Thank you all.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote. Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support. Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Bowles, you are recognized, sir, to present Senate Bill 1976. Thank you, Mr.
• Seeing no discussion or debate, staff, please open the vote.
• Seeing no discussion or debate, staff, please open the vote.
• Senate Bill 1296 comes from the Department of Environmental Quality.
• Staff, please activate the voting. Archer I, Thetford Deck, Moore.

Committee: House Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you please brief Substitute Senate Bill 6076 and Senate Bill 6313, please?
• My name is Rob Hatfield, staff to the committee. Senate Bill 6076 is before you.
• Members of the committee, Ingrid Lewis, staff to this committee, briefing you today on Senate Bill 6313
• Ingrid Lewis, staff to this committee, briefing you today on Senate Bill 6313, which is the bill that
• All right, let's move to Senate Bill 6313.

Bills: SB5188 , SB6313

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support

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• The Senate Conference Committee for HB 2874 is called to order.
• The members present are Senator Finchem, Senator Bolick, and Senator Ortiz.
• April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. to the Senate engrossed version of House Bill 2874 and authorize staff to
• April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. to the Senate engrossed version of House Bill 2874 and authorize staff to
• The Senate Conference Committee is adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The House and Senate conference committees met on April 16, 2026, to reconcile differences on HB 2874, which deals with campaign finance termination statements and penalties for committees that had no contributions or expenditures. Staff explained that the Senate version retroactively voided certain penalties for late campaign finance reports if a committee certifies no activity, and the conference amendment further refined the bill by requiring public posting of committees that owe late-filing penalties, clarifying termination-statement requirements, extending the no-penalty provisions to some committees that had received contributions, and capping penalties at $5,000 per late report beginning July 1. The amendment also moved the retroactivity date, added a session-law provision, and included an emergency clause. Members discussed whether suspended accounts with no activity would be covered, and staff indicated that while not expressly named, they would likely fall within the bill’s criteria. Supporters said the measure would help clear old compliance issues from the books, improve transparency, and provide relief to smaller candidates and local officeholders who may not have the resources to manage complex campaign finance requirements. One member noted the bill would create a practical safe harbor for inactive campaigns and reduce penalties that continue to accrue on closed or empty campaign accounts. A motion was made and adopted to approve the five-page conference amendment dated April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m., to the Senate engrossed version of HB 2874, with authorization for technical and conforming changes recommended by the rules attorney. The motion passed by voice vote, and both the House and Senate conference committees adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Conference Committee for HB 2874 is called to order.
• The members present are Senator Finchem, Senator Bolick, and Senator Ortiz.
• April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. to the Senate engrossed version of HB 2874 and authorize staff to make any
• April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. to the Senate engrossed version of House Bill 2874 and authorize staff to
• The Senate Conference Committee is adjourned. Thank you.

Summary: The House and Senate conference committees met on April 16, 2026, to consider House Bill 2874, which concerns campaign finance termination statements and penalties for late or missing reports. Staff explained that the House version would allow certain committees that received no contributions or made no expenditures to avoid penalties if they file a termination statement, while the Senate version had already added retroactive relief for committees that certify no activity during the reporting period and made the bill retroactive to December 31, 2021. Members discussed the conference amendment, which would require filing officers to publicly list committees that owe late-filing penalties, clarify that a termination statement is required to avoid fees and void penalties for inactive committees, extend the relief to some committees that had received contributions, cap penalties at $5,000 per late report beginning July 1, add a session-law provision voiding penalties under specified conditions, move the retroactivity date to July 5, 2016, and add an emergency clause. Members said the measure would help clear old campaign finance liabilities, improve transparency, and provide relief for small or inactive committees, including suspended accounts that fit the no-activity criteria. A motion was made and adopted to approve the five-page conference amendment dated April 16, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. to the Senate engrossed version of HB 2874 and to authorize technical and conforming changes recommended by the rules attorney. The motion passed by voice vote in both committees, and the conference committees then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Senator Michael Padilla, I serve as the Senate Majority Whip.
• So it gets tied up in Senate Judiciary. Senators, I'm just speaking on the record here.
• Small cities have staff.
• I'm... ...without a lot of staff. Let me put it that way: without a lot of staff.
• Now she's Senator Trujillo.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Robert? Here. Senator Diaz [member_1838]? Present. Senator Cuban? Here. Here. Here. Here.
• Senator Diaz? No. Senator Feinbrough? Aye. Senator Governor? Aye. Senator Feinbrough?
• Senator Rogers? Aye. Senator Alford.
• They've prioritized district office staff.
• Staff, they've prioritized everything else.

Bills: HB2035 , HB2041 , HB2611 , HB2860 , HB4004 , HB4049 , SCR1032

Committees: Senate Government , Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to K-12, we as staff believe those two goals still apply.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Chairman, Representative Garrett, uh, the staff, the staff that staffs the congressional delegation do
• Chairman, uh, Senator, Mr. Chairman.
• Members, staff, etc.

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• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The second bill we're really excited about is Senate Bill 83 by Senator Edmund.
• I understand that Senator Holly two days ago had a hearing in the Senate, and I listened to a big portion
• I'm so happy also, Senator Myzel. Happy to see everyone, but happy to see you, Senator Meisel.
• So you need to talk to Senator Jackson. Monday afternoon. So you need to talk to Senator Jackson.
• I will tell you that Senator Myzel is here today. She is on that Senate committee.

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting on March 5, 2026, with opening remarks from Chair Freiberg and Vice Chair Marcelle describing the panel’s purpose as studying issues affecting women and children, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the chair noted the meeting was informational only and not requiring a quorum. The committee then heard presentations and asked questions on human trafficking and child exploitation, followed by an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated women. Mary Kate Andrepont of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention presented 2025 data showing 2,963 victims identified, 15,437 service instances, and 33% of victims remaining in services at least nine months. She said 93% of reported victims were sex trafficking victims, most were under 18, and 62 of 64 parishes had trafficking reports. She explained familial trafficking, described screening and coordinated response procedures, and highlighted new tools and outreach campaigns. She also discussed two priority bills: HB 321 by Rep. LaFleur, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child trafficking victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, data trends, service gaps, and the reach of the screening tools. Chris Masters of the Attorney General’s office then presented on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force. He reported 31,203 tips in 2025, 545 arrests, more than 80 children identified or rescued, over 1,500 search warrants, and more than 100 community presentations. He said the task force is expanding statewide, including an Orleans Metro unit, and asked for more analysts and outreach personnel to handle a projected rise in cyber tips. Members asked about community presentations, the scope of the investigations, sex offender social media restrictions, interstate cases, sentencing, and how online enticement and live abuse are prosecuted. The discussion emphasized parental monitoring, school outreach, and coordination with federal partners. The final item introduced an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated females. Legislative Auditor staff said the review, requested by a 2023 resolution, found that Louisiana’s jails and guidance documents had not fully addressed the key laws and standards governing women’s incarceration, including restraint use during pregnancy and childbirth, health care, hygiene, dignity, and reentry. They noted that local jails still house a majority of incarcerated women despite the opening of a new state facility, and that several facilities had confirmed prohibited restraint use or failed to provide required written advisements. The staff said the report included legislative considerations for improving compliance and care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington? Here. Senator Davis? Senator Jones? Senator Martin? Senator McClain?
• Senator Arrington, yes. Senator Davis. Senator Jones. Senator Martin. Senator McClain.
• Senator Davis. Senator Jones. Senator Martin. Senator McClain. Senator Truenow. Senator Wright.
• Senator Arrington? No. Senator Davis? Senator Jones? Senator Martin? Senator McClain?
• Senator Jones? Yes. Senator Martin? Senator McClain? Senator Truenow? Senator Wright?

Bills: S0828 , S1274 , S1310 , S1378 , S1562

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well. The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We focus our efforts working directly with the House and Senate Education.
• Number six: student and staff safety.
• A, our support staff as far as this, Mr. Chairman.
• Addressing pay for our support staffs and our other folks. And, Mr.
• Thank you, Vice Chair Senator Stewart. Thank you, Mr.

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• Senator Leek, you have an introduction. >> Senator Leek: Thank you. Yes, I do.
• Senator Mayfield, you are recognized. >> Senator Mayfield: Thank you.
• Any senator wishing to debate? Senator Smith in debate.
• Senator Simon, you may close. >> Senator Simon: Waive closed. >> President: Unlock the board and senators
• Senator Passidomo: I move the Senate.

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• Senator Boyd? Yeah. Senator Burton? Senator Hooper? Senator Martin? Senator Osgood?
• “Senator Boyd, Senator Burton, Senator Hooper, Senator Martin, Senator Osgood, Senator Passidomo, Senator
• “Senator Boyd, Senator Burton, Senator Hooper, Senator Martin, Senator Osgood, Senator Passidomo, Senator
• Senator Boyd, Senator Burton, Senator Hooper, Senator Martin, Senator Osgood, Senator Passidomo, Senator
• Senator Boyd, Senator Burton, Senator Hooper, Senator Martin, Senator Osgood, Senator Passidomo, Senator

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework. Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. Senator Rasa.
• or staff for Senator Cho-boe, Senator Caballero, Senator Cortese, Senator Grayson, or Senator Padilla
• Okay, I saw Senator Hoover, but I see Senator Haney, so we’re going to go to Senator Haney now, and he
• Senator Cabaldon.
• Chair, Senators.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• minority member Senator Patrick O'Connor, who... ...of the committee, Senator Liz Miranda, and the ranking
• And then our other members of the committee, Senator Lydia Edwards, Senator Rebecca Rausch, and Senator
• Senator Gomez.
• The staff are abusive. They use the device against the nonverbal students. The staff are abusive.
• And then we go to Senate 2714. We have Carl Richardson. And then we go to Senate 2714.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles. The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions. Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.