Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, three of them are here and from my own community, Linwood.
• This has caused many of our communities to retreat.
• A passionate advocate of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
• He was a tireless advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and so many communities
• His legacy is one of service, generosity, and love for his community.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very high-risk community.
• If we can protect the homes and the people who live in the communities, we're protecting the community
• The animals are the living bodies of communities. The animals are the living bodies of communities.
• Am I looking at a government community, in the university community?
• and these community buffer zones.

Transcript Highlights:

• And routine communication.
• It doesn't mean that a community on the right side of this graph is better than the community on the
• It doesn't mean that a community on the right side of this graph is better than the community on the
• But the communities, especially those with low taxing, these regions, but the communities, especially
• to improve quality of life in their own communities.

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of our conversations with members or about their border communities are safe those borders the community
• For example, the communications, they're not communicating, so when they're not communicating, stuff
• We've asked for an additional $5 million for community-based programming.
• Methods provide. 2329 that we need to serve youth in their communities.
• It should be coming within the community. community, investing in the community, and working together

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So many of us know the feeling of trying to help our communities stay safe during a wildfire crisis,
• We need to focus on community wildfire risk reduction.
• We need to focus on community wildfire risk reduction.
• The motion is due pass to Energy, Utilities and Communications. Senator Becker, Seyarto. Aye.
• During drought, we need stored water to provide water to communities and the environment.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, are there any Communications. Mr.
• Yes, Madam Senate communications?
• conferees to the noted House and Senate bills. communications informing the House that communications
• further receipt of communications further receipt of communications informing<00:14:53.920> the
• c> informing<00:14:59.760> the receipt of communications informing the receipt of communications

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'M PROUD THIS FUNDING WAS SECURED TO SUPPORT MARINE LIFE AND THE COMMUNITY.
• The rescue highlights something special about our coastline communities.
• Among the victims were families from my community in Northern Virginia.
• Among the victims were families from my community in Northern Virginia.
• COMMUNITY, FOLKS WITH WHOLE LIVES AHEAD OF THEM.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to testify on behalf of the business community and the agricultural community.
• , really important that communities, that you start to have a posture that enables communities to think
• , the noise in their communities, the water that's used in their communities.
• Mateo Kushner with Community Water Center, and on behalf of Clean Water Action, Amigos of Los Rios, Communities
• Every community going through anything like this does.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maplewood is a strong and diverse community with many assets, but like other communities that we've even
• Maplewood is a strong and diverse community with many assets, but like other communities that we've even
• Maplewood is a strong and diverse community with many assets, but like other communities that we've even
• shortage and support communities shortage and support communities Statewide<00:36:59.599> I'd
• in almost every one of our commun in almost every one of our commun unities<01:24:55.199> the

Bills: HF1746, HF2585, HF1159, HF2574, HF2839, HF157, HF158, HF160, HF338, HF512

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• to meet a unique state local communities to meet a unique state standard.<00:08:57.040> Communities
• Communities who state aid standards.
• Um if a local community who roads.
• <01:07:39.599> We what the community is asking for. We what the community is asking for.
• Communities sitting there.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• community college system. community college system.
• done at the community college level. done at the community college level.
• training, and enrich our communities. training, and enrich our communities.
• . community. community.
• particular communities? I mean, if it's particular communities?

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The County of Santa Cruz is the safety net for these communities, and these are communities that are
• Kristen Alcane, Director of Community Services, City of Palo Alto, in support.
• When the community is, there is an outcry in our community for accountability, where we are demanding
• The motion is do pass to the Housing and Community Development Committee.
• The motion is do pass to the Housing and Community Development Committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He is a longtime resident of my home community of Guadalupe.
• He is a longtime resident of my home community of Guadalupe.
• on my immigrant community.
• To my immigrant community, just remember these definitions.
• community.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Universities, branch community colleges, independent community colleges, and tribal colleges and universities
• That is the same for our branch community colleges.
• professional development they need in order to go back to their communities and help uplift those communities
• I work in the Economic Community Development Unit, which is the Division of Community Development.
• Communities as well. Sounds like a budget bill. Thank you so much.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our communities are both our partners and our customers.
• These are projects that the local community wants. Community engagement is critical as well.
• These are projects that the local community wants. Community engagement is critical as well.
• , across communities.
• Petersburg and our communities.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the community provides.
• case of where it's a resource that is shared with the local community.
• we are able to get a good sampling and offering grants across each of the communities.
• We have some communities that are ready.
• Other communities are not as far along in that process.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities lose vital members. And it is all preventable.
• effective, caring emergency responses to heat in our other communities.
• There are community health councils, tribal health councils, as well as local community health councils
• We continue to be very involved in several community broadband coalitions.
• Access to resources, particularly what's available in your community, varies, of course, by community

Transcript Highlights:

• The Communications and Conveyance Committee was now called to order.
• Yvonne Melton, Communication Workers of America District 9, and I rise to oppose this bill.
• I'm with Communication Workers of America.
• I'm with Communication Workers of America, District 9 staff.
• AT&T has to stay in the community.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Esparza on five decades of reporting in our local community.
• She became a guiding light in the community.
• Her work will have lasting impacts on public education and community well-being.
• She saved lives, strengthened her community and all communities, and inspired countless individuals to
• To her community, she was an inspiration.

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially without a quorum, and the clerk called the roll until a quorum was present. The body then proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and several unanimous-consent motions, including re-referrals of AB 1878, AB 2089, and AB 1660 to different committees. Members also introduced guests, including the 2025 Central East High School football team, Morgan Hill leadership students, Southlands Christian fourth graders, and journalist Juan Esparza Loera, whom members praised for decades of reporting in the Central Valley. On the floor file, ACR 139 was presented to designate March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Supporters described the health and safety risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea and emphasized the value of screening and treatment; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were recorded. AB 1656, a human-trafficking victim protection bill, was also taken up and passed 58-0 after testimony that it would expand “good cause” for trial continuances to better protect survivors and preserve continuity of counsel. The chamber also adopted the consent calendar, including AB 1583 and SCR 11, by 63-0 votes. The session concluded with adjournments in memory for Salinda Gonzalez, a Yurok community advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, and Sandy Steers, a Big Bear conservationist and executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. Members highlighted Gonzalez’s work supporting Native communities and Steers’ decades of wildlife advocacy and public education. The Assembly then announced its next meeting for Monday, March 16 at 1 p.m., including the Women of the Year ceremony, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and our policymaker community on behalf of New York's farm, food, and environmental arenas.
• What was the community program? Community IPM, integrated pest management.
• Community IPM, integrated pest management.
• I mean, from the community IPM program, something we should definitely be sharing out further.
• Can you talk a little bit about how you work with the different agricultural communities?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote. The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management. Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.