Transcript Highlights:

• I'll touch briefly on the budget request and on some legislative proposals related to the lobbying report
• We have no change requests.
• legislation which would appropriate dollars to outside employment.
• legislation which would appropriate dollars to outside employment.
• </c> um yes the board has had legislative um yes the board has had legislative recommendations<00:37:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We found that the department appropriately routed all but four of those grievances to the appropriate
• Why is legislative intent being ignored?
• When there's a severe mental health request, is there staff there that look at that request if it's needed
• And do they keep a log on the request coming in and the request denied?
• And it really is the request. We will certainly follow up on that request as well. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll move the bill when it's appropriate. Thank you. Thank you.
• Do pass to appropriations: Allen? Aye. Ochoa Bogh? Aye. Do pass to appropriations: Allen? Aye.
• Do pass to Appropriations. Current vote 12-0. Richardson? Aye.
• Do pass to Appropriations. Current vote 13-0. Hurtado? Call the roll. Do pass to Appropriations.
• Do pass to Appropriations. Current vote 9-0. Do pass to Appropriations. Current vote 9-0. Hurtado?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd request a green vote. Is there any further discussion?
• Last session there was $2 million appropriated for that purpose.
• If you go to page 5 on line 1, we'd just be amending out the appropriation for... ...the appropriation
• You have received a handout requesting a no vote on this bill.
• President, I request a verification vote on the amendment.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the appropriate time, we will take it.
• At the appropriate time, we will.
• So thank you for this piece of legislation. Thank you.
• At the appropriate time, we will take Senator Grove's motion.
• Thank you and respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:07.920><c> legislators</c> to uh to help legislators legislators to uh to help legislators
• </c> to ask respectfully ask the legislator to ask respectfully ask the legislator to<00:53:05.680><c
• </c><01:09:03.880><c> um</c> don't feel that that's appropriate um don't feel that that's appropriate
• I would like to blank out the appropriations and put the appropriations request into the standing committee
• I'd like to blank out the appropriation and put the appropriations request into the standing committee

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1239 is an ACO request bill.
• Senate Bill 1531 is an ODAA request.
• I think the senator just mentioned it, but it seems like we heard this legislation last year that appropriated
• Members, this is an ODOT request bill.
• For me, it has nothing to do with the distrust of future legislators, because you are all future legislators

Bills: SB1220, SB1221, SB1239, SB1309, SB1349, SB1434, SB1516, SB1531, SB1538, SB1861

Keywords: memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation-related Senate bills, beginning with memorial naming measures and then moving into funding, licensing, and safety proposals. Senate Bill 1220, naming the Terry Walker Memorial Interchange, and Senate Bill 1516, allowing Real ID applicants to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs through Service Oklahoma forms, both advanced on 10-2 votes after brief questions about funding and where donations would go. Senate Bill 1239, which extends the sunset for County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund appropriations and cleans up duplicate statutory language, advanced after title was stricken and members raised questions about reporting requirements and a possible conflict in the funding language. Senate Bill 1531, an ODAA request related to future drone regulation, advanced unanimously after title was stricken. The committee also considered several road and licensing measures. Senate Bill 1349 would increase apportionments to the Roads Fund over eight years up to $1 billion; members questioned the long-term commitment, inflation, and overlap with other road-funding bills, but it advanced 10-2. Senate Bill 1221 would let Service Oklahoma provide tracking for mailed driver’s licenses and IDs and offer optional expedited delivery; after Service Oklahoma testified that refunds would be issued if expedited service was not provided, the bill advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 1538, reinstating the requirement to pass or show proof of an eighth-grade reading exam to obtain a driver’s license, advanced 11-1 after discussion of the literacy goal and the employment-based exemption. The committee then approved Senate Bill 1309, which raises from $80 million to $100 million the amount reserved from Roads Fund apportionments for debt service, on a unanimous vote. The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1434, which would authorize automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones with warning signs, limited image retention, independent audits, and penalties for noncompliance; supporters argued it would save workers’ lives, while opponents raised privacy and future-use concerns and suggested officer-based enforcement instead. Despite those objections, the bill advanced 7-5. The meeting ended with a notice that Senator Merrick’s bill, SB 1861, would be laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to move favorably at the appropriate time. It is the appropriate time.
• At the appropriate time, I move favorable. Okay.
• You can't afford to do that on a request for admission because a request for admission is deemed admitted
• It's simply a request for us to offer a one-time fee exemption for veterans to request their health care
• It's simply a request for us to offer a one-time fee exemption for veterans to request their health care

Summary: The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met on May 23, 2006, and considered a series of civil law bills, most of them reported favorably or as amended. Representative Mandy Landry’s HB 135, which updated motor vehicle exemptions from seizure in bankruptcy by raising vehicle value limits, allowing a second vehicle, increasing the exemption for vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities, and protecting certain HSA funds, was reported favorably. Her HB 297, expanding early lease termination rights to include stalking and cyberstalking victims, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from housing and domestic violence advocates. Representative Robbie Carter presented HB 292 on security deposits, HB 215 on raising the small succession threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, HB 226 on requests for admissions, and HB 216 on service of process. HB 292 was amended to give landlords an additional 15 days to send itemized security deposit statements and then reported as amended. HB 215 was reported favorably over opposition from the Clerks of Court Association, which argued the higher threshold would reduce clerk-generated revenue. HB 226 was amended to require a Rule 10.1 discovery conference before filing a motion based on unanswered requests for admissions and then reported as amended. HB 216, which would have allowed parties to choose how they receive service in later filings, drew concerns about practicality and electronic service and was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably HB 609, which exempts veterans from one-time fees for obtaining private medical records needed for disability claims, and voluntarily deferred HB 170 and HB 194 at the authors’ requests. Representative Weibel’s HB 284, modeled on existing blight and expropriation procedures, would expand local government tools to address abandoned and blighted property and was reported as amended after questions about property rights, notice, heirs, and title protection. Finally, the committee took up HB 142, a Law Institute package of civil procedure revisions, including changes to default judgments, appeals, motions to quash, trial notices, small claims reconventional demands, and abandonment procedures; after discussion of the abandonment affidavit requirements and appeal record costs, the bill was reported as amended. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll all go back and do legislative updates.
• And I'm glad that it's in this legislation. And I think it's the appropriate thing for us to do.
• It removes the appropriation for the panic alarm alert system and makes implementation subject to appropriation
• It removes the appropriation and makes implementation subject to appropriation.
• And last for me, I think we heard you say the appropriation for the alert, the panic alert. the appropriation

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, and retiring Senate staff, including Pastor Gary Austin. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators would not need to plan on being in Tallahassee the following week. The chamber then moved to third reading and returned messages from the House later in the day. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, the citizen initiative/constitutional amendment bill. Sponsors said the measure was intended to address fraud in the petition process, citing investigations, arrests, pleas, and open cases involving paid circulators and invalid petitions. Opponents argued the bill would make citizen-led amendments far more difficult, expensive, and risky, warning it would chill grassroots participation, burden supervisors of elections, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed efforts. Supporters responded that the bill preserved grassroots petitioning, placed reasonable guardrails on paid circulators and sponsors, and included a provision barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot initiatives. The bill passed 28-10. The Senate also passed several education measures unanimously, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments on several bills: stem cell therapy legislation clarifying permitted therapies and penalties for improper use of fetal or embryonic tissue; an EKG requirement bill for student athletes with exemptions and partnership options for districts; and a cardiac emergency response bill that renamed the school emergency plan and removed a bill title honoring Rafe McCrone. These measures passed by wide margins, generally 37-0 or 38-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a very, very straightforward piece of legislation.
• Thomas Jefferson Charter School requested $5,135.
• We worked with him last year on the legislation.
• This is not pertaining to this piece of legislation.
• It all hinges on the age appropriate.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered a request to introduce RS 33-117, a bill from Rep. Levitt concerning charter school enrollment priorities. Levitt said the measure would give priority to children of charter school founders, siblings, and foster children, and then to active-duty Title 10 military families. The motion to introduce the bill passed. The committee then heard House Bill 599 on digital curriculum funding. Rep. Raymond said the bill would change the grant process from first-come, first-served to an as-needed basis, with the State Department of Education developing a rubric to define need and prioritize rural and underserved schools. Superintendent Critchfield described criteria tied to reading, math, college and career readiness, alignment with improvement plans, implementation and evaluation, and sustainability. Some members questioned the discretion involved, and the committee ultimately adopted an amended substitute motion to hold the bill in committee until the 19th. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 516, a cleanup bill related to last year’s law restricting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Hawkins said the bill would strike leftover language that had become unnecessary after the bill was expanded to K-12 and was intended only to clarify the law. Supporters said the change would prevent confusion and ensure parental authority, while opponents warned it could create vague restrictions and conflict with CTE and other instruction. After testimony from Planned Parenthood, Idaho Family Policy Center, and questions from members, the committee voted to send HB 516 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is my request for this year. Like I said, it's not much.
• And so that brings us back to agrivoltaic legislation.
• where appropriate.
• Then, in 2026, the appropriation of 3.5 million represents a larger increase driven by specific legislative
• OEQA's2026 appropriations adjustments and clearly separates onetime legislative investments from ongoing

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.
• Appropriations.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel Ehlers with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• I think it would be appropriate.
• continuous appropriation, right?
• continuous appropriation, right?
• the Legislature's support for this appropriation.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the May Revision from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, focused on resources, environmental protection, energy, and related budget issues. Finance said the May Revision keeps the budget balanced in 2026-27 and 2027-28, narrows the structural deficit, and proposes major investments in natural resources, including Proposition 4 bond funding for the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, wildlife refuge and wetland projects, Fort Ord Dunes campground operations, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, wildfire-human coexistence, and beverage container recycling. The LAO praised stronger-than-expected revenues but argued the state still has a structural deficit and is relying too heavily on reserves, recommending more reserve deposits and fewer new discretionary expenditures. Members questioned several proposals, especially the Golden Gate Fields purchase and the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program. Agency officials said the Golden Gate Fields site is a time-limited opportunity, would be remediated by the current owner, transferred to East Bay Regional Park District after closing, and restricted to park/open-space uses rather than commercial development. On Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, Finance and the Natural Resources Agency said the $25 million request would help launch year one of the program, support scientific monitoring, and maintain commitments to environmental flows and habitat restoration; the LAO said the request was premature because the Bay-Delta plan has not yet been formally adopted and the state’s total funding commitment remains unclear. Officials also discussed water storage, subsidence, and the need for ongoing investments in aquifer recharge, aqueduct repairs, and recycling. The committee also reviewed a proposed $1 million shift for the Coexisting with Wildlife Initiative. Fish and Wildlife and the Cattlemen’s Association said the money would support limited-term staffing, deterrence tools, and livestock-loss compensation, while acknowledging the amount is modest compared with the need. Members emphasized the growing human-wildlife conflict problem and the importance of nonlethal deterrence and public education. The discussion then turned to greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues and transit; members warned that lower auction revenues and possible CARB rule changes could leave little or nothing for Tier 3 programs such as transit, clean water, and air-quality programs. Finance and the LAO said the Legislature should plan for multiple revenue scenarios and consider whether the existing cap-and-invest spending framework still matches current revenue expectations and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Legislative Analyst's Office?
• Legislative Analyst's Office: Gook to Shenjohn with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• I respectfully ask for legislative support of the $50 million budget request for the California Arts
• I respectfully ask for legislative support of the $50 million budget request for the California Art Council

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals related to the state’s housing and homelessness reorganization. On the first item, administration and Finance staff described technical adjustments to move administrative positions and resources between the California Housing and Homelessness Agency, HCD, and Cal ICH, plus authority for a chief deputy director at the new Housing Development Finance Committee. The LAO recommended approval but asked for clarification on funding for the chief deputy position. Several senators questioned whether the staffing shifts would reduce Cal ICH’s capacity and whether adding communications support and a new executive position was appropriate absent new housing funding; the item was held open. The second item proposed a new $100 million CalHFA Disaster Rebuilding Fund, with $56 million General Fund and $44 million in existing National Mortgage Settlement funds, to help disaster-impacted homeowners access construction financing through tools such as a loan loss guarantee and interest rate buy-downs. CalHFA said the fund would help close the gap between insurance proceeds and rebuilding costs and would work through approved lenders. The LAO raised concerns about the lack of alternatives analysis, the broad delegation in the trailer bill, and the General Fund cost. Senators pressed for more detail on the estimated number of homeowners served, lender and homeowner eligibility, equity safeguards, and the role of the Legislature in program design; the item was held open. The third item was trailer bill language for HAP Round 7, including accountability metrics, pro-housing designation requirements for certain large cities and counties, local match requirements, and a mechanism to recapture unspent funds. HCD said the proposal would streamline reporting by using one consistent set of system performance measures and would phase in the new requirements. The LAO questioned the timing, the burden of pro-housing designation, the size and source of the local match, and whether the proposal conflicted with the Legislature’s prior goal of getting funds out quickly. Several senators criticized the added requirements and the lack of new funding, while others said the proposal could improve accountability and reduce administrative burden by reusing existing plans. The item was also held open. The fourth item began a proposal to reduce local development impact fees on state-funded affordable housing projects, framed as a condition on competitive multifamily funding rather than a statewide mandate. The presentation started but the transcript cuts off before questions or action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge an aye vote at the appropriate time. All right.
• And so that is the goal of this legislation.
• I implore every legislator to reimagine. based publicly funded appropriately tailored and with meaningful
• So now would be an appropriate time.
• So now would be appropriate time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just had the appropriate time, sir. I'd like to report it. It is the appropriate time.
• And so I'm just respectfully requesting that you join them in supporting this legislation and allowing
• But at the appropriate time, I would like to move forward.
• Now we'll have a public records request for that.
• I move favorable at the appropriate time. It is the appropriate time. The board is clear.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, and took up a series of Senate bills and resolutions, most of them memorial highway designations or prestige license plate measures. The committee first adopted amendments and reported Senate Bill 122, which directs the Department of Transportation and Development to plan, maintain, and report on bridge conditions statewide, with a focus on proactive bridge maintenance and public reporting. Members also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon, SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver licensing privileges compared with neighboring states, and SB 50 naming the Bayou DeLarge Basque Bridge as the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge. The committee then approved several memorial and honorary measures, including SB 70 for Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige license plate, SB 460 naming a highway for Hayden Lane Mangum, SB 24 designating Interstate 49 as the Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 101 naming highways for Daniel Edward Didillo and Bill Blue Evans, SB 160 naming the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 naming the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law, SB 103 and SB 159 naming Franklin Parish highways, SB 412 naming a portion of Highway 13 for Roy Chaffin, SB 182 naming a highway for Mayor Billy Cobb, SB 104 naming the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 naming the Falcons Band Highway. Most of these items were reported favorably without objection after brief testimony from authors, family members, or supporters. One measure drew more discussion: SB 19, which changes the name and design of the state employee retired prestige license plate and redirects proceeds to a private nonprofit associated with retired state employees. Representative Schlegelhorn objected, but after testimony that the organization is a tax-exempt nonprofit funding scholarships and that no money had previously gone to LASERS from the plate, the committee adopted a motion to report the bill favorably by a 13-1 vote. The committee also adopted amendments to HCR 69, which urges DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish with attention to drainage, flood risk, and evacuation resilience, and then reported it favorably. HCR 63, creating a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel can operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without civilian licenses, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after the agenda was cleared and a motion to adjourn was made.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Specific, the specifics of the request here.
• Considering that, we're requesting you reject Item 3 at an appropriate time. Thank you.
• So, considering that, we're requesting you reject Item 3 at an appropriate time. Thank you.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget presentations from the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), and related agencies. CDFA discussed its overall budget, ongoing support for the Farm to School program and climate-smart agriculture, and a proposed climate bond expenditure plan. Members focused heavily on whether the Farm to School proposal should become ongoing, how schools and suppliers are selected, whether the program is reaching disadvantaged and food-insecure communities, and whether the trailer bill language creates new duties. The LAO recommended rejecting the ongoing Farm to School proposal as presented, suggesting the Legislature consider Prop. 98 funding instead, while CDFA argued the program supports children, farmers, and local economies and helps build long-term supply-chain infrastructure. Several members also questioned the bond plan’s timing, program metrics, and workforce impacts, while LAO said the bond plan was generally reasonable and should be guided by legislative input. The committee also discussed CDFA’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions; the department said the positions were largely long-vacant or unfunded and could be reclassified if needed, while LAO recommended retaining the special-fund positions and weighing the General Fund positions on their merits. CDFA’s IT support request for additional ongoing funding and four positions was presented as necessary to address staffing shortages, legacy systems, and cybersecurity risks, and LAO had no concerns. The committee then took public comment and voted to approve items 9 through 13, including CDFA dog importation and carcass disposal items, a Gambling Control Commission IT item and tribal grant fund item, and an ABC office relocation item. DCC presented a request to strengthen enforcement against the illicit cannabis market by opening a North State office in Redding and adding sworn and non-sworn staff. The department said most cannabis consumed in California still comes from the illicit market, that it receives about 1,500 complaints annually but can close only about 400 cases, and that it has a backlog of roughly 4,000 cases. DCC argued that a northern office would reduce travel time, improve coordination with local agencies, and help target cross-county and cross-border criminal networks. Finance supported the request as a targeted investment, and LAO had no comment. Members asked about public safety, office security, and whether a North State presence would increase complaints or referrals; DCC said safety is considered in every office opening and that a local presence would likely improve case development. The director also described the broader regulatory strategy as balancing consumer safety, illicit-market enforcement, consumer awareness, and reducing friction for legal operators. The discussion continued into broader concerns about the size of the illicit market and the long-term goals for the cannabis program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We reviewed six months of health care request data and found that 47% of requests expressing homicidal
• and establish a system of oversight and accountability to ensure requests are prioritized appropriately
• legislators who provided input.
• The legislature will have an opportunity to appropriate funds to DHS during the 2026 legislative session
• We do have a piece of legislation that will be running to talk about that and legislative approval and

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate has been requested. Is there objection?
• The House consent has been requested. Is there objection?
• Unanimous consent has been requested. Is there objection?
• And that line reads, 'or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students
• Do I need permission to refer to other legislation? Consent has been requested. Is there objection?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with 69 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal. Members also received notice of a temporary substitute appointment for Legislative District 3, Seat B, and a Senate message transmitting enrolled Senate Bill 1225 for the Speaker’s signature. Committee reports then referred a large number of bills and resolutions to standing committees or to second reading, and several measures were advanced from committee with do-pass recommendations, including House Bills 620, 532, 629, 503, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, while House Bill 627 was placed on general orders and House Bill 648 was re-referred. On the floor, the House passed several bills. House Bill 528, on self-directed or directed blood donation, passed 52-17. House Bill 521, which moves fingerprinting/background-check authority for non-criminal-justice private entities into a new code section, passed 69-0. House Bill 498, allowing the Legislature to hire private counsel to initiate lawsuits in certain circumstances, passed 61-8. House Bill 539, tightening rules around temporary administrative rules and their justification, passed 67-2. House Bill 516, correcting an accidental leftover reference in the parental rights/education law, passed 59-10 after debate over its effect on instruction and parental opt-in rights. House Bill 522, addressing drones near correctional facilities and penalties for restricted-airspace violations and contraband drops, passed 62-7. House Bill 635, requiring the Education Professional Standards Commission to report possible criminal conduct to law enforcement, passed 66-8. House Bill 594, codifying a court decision on distribution of penalties and interest from late tax payments to subjurisdictions, passed 69-0. House Bill 610, preserving the homeowners exemption for people temporarily away on religious or community service missions, passed 48-20. The House also held House Bill 639 on the third reading calendar until February 20 and House Joint Memorial 12 for one legislative day. During announcements, members highlighted the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho Food Bank outreach in the rotunda, Whammy Kids on the fourth floor, an Energy Caucus meeting, lunch hosted by the Idaho School Board Association, and girls’ state basketball tickets. The House then adjourned until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the senator from the 18th Legislative District.
• Brian Hatfield, Legislative Director for Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.
• I've been trolling for this bill since I heard about the agency request.
• I heard about the agency request. First of all, it just makes a lot of sense.
• Which communities are out there and what their needs really are, so we can appropriate the money appropriately

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB5784

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility