Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:16:01.279><c> finding</c> It is a legislative factf finding It is a legislative factf finding
• Legislator training.
• </c> activities during the legislative activities during the legislative session<04:25:48.479><c> and
• Legislator<04:26:04.800><c> training</c> Legislator training Legislator training existent<04:26:07.199
• </c> training provided to legislators. training provided to legislators.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also allows an elected office or except while serving as a legislator, the option to elect to
• Also this legislation is a most ridiculous as a black male performer.
• I am that we are considering legislation requiring ignorance, bigotry and oppression, things that my
• Thank you. >> And I I don't believe you can legislate away dei.
• I I think there's lots of things you can legislate away, but you can't legislate away hatred and you

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislative Assistant will note the roll.
• The Legislative Assistant.
• </c> revenue and budget effect of legislative revenue and budget effect of legislative and<00:04:33.039
• the legislature enact the legislator the legislature enact legislation<00:47:27.760><c> in</c><00:47
• </c> because it's a big deal it's an ethical because it's a big deal it's an ethical thing<00:52:55.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We hit a little snag, and first I filed legislation to do this, and we hit a little snag, and so I got
• And we'll come back with the legislation to follow this up next year.
• But so far, we are not in that legislative space.
• How can we permit more group training, similar to the ethics annual training?
• How can we permit more group training, similar to the ethics annual training?

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's look at the piece of legislation itself, if you would.
• So let's look at the piece of legislation. market so they're waiting.
• So let's look at the piece of legislation itself if you would.
• money legislation.
• In the House, in the committee, four legislators voted no in committee.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee approved the March 3 and March 5, 2026 minutes, then heard House Bill 750 as amended on programmable money protections. Representative Heather Scott described the bill as a Consumer Payment Rights and Transparency Act intended to prevent programmable money from being used to discriminate, require use without a non-programmable alternative, or deny transactions based on protected characteristics. Testimony included support from David Lichty, who said similar legislation had passed in Utah, and questions from senators about whether the technology is already operational. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s interaction with the Uniform Commercial Code and whether it would create legal confusion. The committee voted 5-3 against the motion to send HB 750 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. The committee then advanced HB 585, which would extend the 48-hour inspection refund/private inspector option to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; it passed on a due-pass recommendation. HB 562, which increases notice periods for nonrenewal of homeowners’ and fire loss insurance policies to 60 days, also passed to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 545, dealing with military chaplains and counselor licensure. Representative Barbara Ehardt and Senator Ben Adams argued the bill would recognize military chaplains’ counseling experience and allow them to apply that experience toward civilian licensure, while noting Idaho law already says licensing authorities may not require certain exams for military applicants. Supporters, including chaplains Jared Gifford and Robert Morris, said military chaplains receive extensive counseling training, work with trauma, suicide, and moral injury, and could help address Idaho’s mental health and veteran care shortages. They said the bill would help chaplains bill insurance and expand access to trusted care. Opponents, including licensed counselors Monique Barber, Kelly Loy, Christy Weissman, Carmen French, Susan Reading, and others, argued chaplain counseling is not equivalent to clinical mental health counseling, that the bill could lower licensure standards, and that it should require the National Counselor Exam and supervised clinical hours under licensed counselors. Senators also questioned whether chaplains could diagnose, whether insurance would reimburse them, and whether the bill should be limited to military settings. After extensive debate, Senator Lenney moved to send HB 545 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, but Senator Guthrie offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee. Several senators said they respected military chaplains but were concerned about blending pastoral counseling with clinical licensure and about the bill’s broader application beyond the military. The transcript ends during the roll call on the substitute motion, before the final vote is announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Affairs.
• Along from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, designates the following bills to be
• That's true for the whole legislation, but I think especially true for this budget: a $50 million cut
• , but even that piece of legislation did not make it out of the Commerce Committee.
• We've heard from some of those businesses since the passage of that legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's all about legislative intent.
• What the judge needs to do is use the tools of legislative interpretation.
• Look at what the legislators did with the bill.
• Some comments were made earlier about legislative intent and the actual legislation... ...some comments
• were made earlier about legislative intent and the actual legislation, and I want to remind my colleagues

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was a special commission hearing on antisemitism held off-site at Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, with commissioners approving prior minutes and noting a quorum, a rescheduled October 27 meeting, and the addition of a new commissioner. The co-chairs and host speakers emphasized the personal and communal significance of holding the hearing in a synagogue and the importance of confronting antisemitism while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse. The commission heard from former SJC Justice and current UMass General Counsel David Lowy, who discussed the IHRA definition of antisemitism, said its use as nonbinding guidance does not raise First Amendment concerns, and described UMass’s response to a discriminatory academic conference policy. Commissioners also asked about campus speaker vetting, protest rights, and university practices for addressing antisemitism and protecting students’ access to education. District Attorney Marian Ryan testified about restorative justice as a tool for addressing hate incidents, saying it can help victims be heard, reduce reoffending, and be used in criminal, school, and community settings. She described local programs, online reporting forms, and the need for better statutory tools, including changes to restitution and education requirements in hate-crime cases. Commissioners asked whether restorative justice affects charging decisions, and Ryan said it should not alter whether a hate crime is investigated or charged. She also identified model programs and said the commission’s work aligns with the national strategy it is charged with implementing. Three rabbis then described the rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and communities, the emotional toll on Jewish families, and the need for stronger school responses, clearer language in incident communications, and better training for educators. Rabbi Brad David recounted repeated incidents in Acton-Boxborough and praised the district’s improved partnership and response, while Rabbi Tom Shah described parental anxiety, concerns about classroom materials lacking context, and the need for balanced instruction. The rabbis also discussed synagogue security costs and measures, including volunteer security teams, police support, grants, and physical protections. Commissioners said the testimony would inform forthcoming recommendations, and DESE staff noted they are developing instructional-materials guidance and a rubric for educators. The final witness, Professor Christina Miller, outlined hate-crime prosecution issues in Massachusetts, including mixed-motive cases, the need for clearer statutes and jury instructions, better training for police and clerk magistrates, guidance on sentencing and diversity-awareness programs, and the use of community impact statements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This summer we had a legislative study group, and it was established to study the issues related to student
• </c><00:03:19.959><c> study</c> a a a study group a legislative study a a a study group a legislative
• I am joined at the table with our assistant legislative director, Autumn Bond, and Dr.
• </c> states with the same type of legislation states with the same type of legislation blue<01:43:23.520
• Wouldn't that already be in their code of ethics?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I want to put in an ethics complaint against my friend, Representative Alexander, I go to the ethics
• You have a—I believe if you're talking House ethics, the member has a right to waive their confidentiality
• believe if you're talking &gt;&gt; you have a I believe if you're talking house<00:52:28.880><c> ethics
• 30.160><c> has</c><00:52:30.319><c> a</c><00:52:30.559><c> right</c><00:52:30.640><c> to</c> house ethics
• the member has a right to house ethics the member has a right to wave<00:52:31.040><c> their</c><00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held a work session on HB 313, a bill dealing with non-public sessions and when a person discussed in such a session should be notified or allowed to request that the meeting be open. The chair opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and invited public comment before committee discussion. The main public testimony came from Phil Jaru, who described a personal dispute with local officials and said the bill should ensure people are notified when they are being discussed in closed session and can request an open meeting. He also argued for limits on non-public sessions, saying they should not be used for matters outside the board’s authority or for what he characterized as gossip, while also trying to avoid interfering with investigations. Committee members focused on the practical and legal problems with the proposal. Several members questioned whether a person should have a right to attend, to demand an open meeting, or simply to receive notice, and whether that right should apply before the meeting or only once the discussion begins. Members raised concerns about situations involving multiple people, children, victims, or other confidentiality interests, and whether a request to open the meeting could conflict when one person wants openness and another wants privacy. One member suggested the bill may be too broad and proposed narrowing it to simple advance notification, possibly by email, rather than an automatic right to open the meeting. The discussion also touched on existing law governing non-public sessions, including the narrow “reputation” exception and Supreme Court cases interpreting it. Members noted that the current statute already limits non-public discussion to the matters stated in the motion, and some suggested that if the concern is boards using non-public sessions for unrelated discussion, that issue may be better addressed by clarifying the existing statute rather than expanding the bill. No vote or final action was taken; the committee appeared to continue working through possible amendments and whether the bill should be narrowed to notification or a right to attend rather than a right to force the meeting open.

Transcript Highlights:

• The comment is a legislative intent comment containing the part for the administrative fine schedule,
• or anything else with uh legislatively or anything else with uh from<00:16:09.120><c> your</c><00:16
• We were contacted by a particular legislator who wanted us to make some minor changes to these.
• I appreciate you working with the legislators and trying to get to a good bill.
• </c> these ethic systems um uh and going on. these ethic systems um uh and going on.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the minutes, seating of an alternate member, and approval of the consent agenda. It then took up Department of Health and Human Services Rule 25188 on New Hampshire Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Credentials. Staff explained that the rule adopts two new parts to implement RSA 170E:50, which had long required rules. The main issue was an unclear comment created by changes in the department’s amended conditional approval request: language defining out-of-school-time basics and a requirement tied to the New Hampshire Professional Registry training transcript had been removed, creating a mismatch between the form and the rule text. The department said it revised the language so the form and rule now match. A member also asked about the fee schedule, and the department said the fees are sufficient and supported in part by federal funds. The committee then approved Rule 25188 as amended, with oral edits, on a voice vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services Rule 25206, dealing with subsurface wastewater rules and an administrative fine schedule. Staff said most comments had been addressed, but one remaining issue concerned the fine schedule because the prior interim rule had expired years ago. Staff also noted public concerns about septic tank replacement sizes, but pointed to waiver provisions and replacement-in-kind language that would still allow smaller existing systems to be replaced under certain conditions. DES officials explained that the rule package adds the fine schedule into the program rules and that no fines have been brought under these expired provisions for many years. They also described the waiver and grandfathering provisions as intended to protect existing systems and seasonal campgrounds from unnecessary upgrades. A public witness, Christopher Albert, testified that two sections of the rule would harm manufactured home parks and cooperatives. He argued that the new “two people per bedroom” assumption and the minimum bedroom threshold for using water-meter data would inflate design flows, make water-meter data unusable, and increase costs for low-income residents. Committee members questioned both the witness and the agency about the assumptions. DES staff responded that the two-person-per-bedroom standard is meant for individual on-site system design, not citywide planning, and that water-meter data is only useful in larger or unusual facilities. They said the rule still allows flexibility through waivers and grandfathering for existing uses, and that the drinking-water rule cited by the witness was not the correct comparison. No final vote on Rule 25206 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• end of this term. 2024, and that resolution carries through the end of this term, and the next legislative
• available within the budget, to assist with defraying lodging costs actually incurred during the legislative
• And I understand where he's trying to go, but to me, that probably would be a clear ethical violation
• Your district's office is exclusively set up for your legislative business, so there's no real commingling
• And also, like I said, even a cell phone, if your legislative assistant has a cell phone that is, you

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met briefly, established a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. The clerk and executive counsel then gave an overview of the committee’s role in setting and administering the House supplemental expense allowance, explaining that members currently receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel in district, and certain communications costs. They also explained the existing carryover rules: unused funds may roll forward up to $3,000 generally and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with any excess remaining in the House budget. Members asked for clarification on how the supplemental interacts with district office rent, mailers, per diem, out-of-state travel, cell phones, internet, and conference expenses, and staff explained which items are currently reimbursable and which are paid directly by the House. Several members raised the idea of expanding allowable uses of the supplemental to help cover lodging costs during session for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, and one member also asked whether the monthly allowance should be increased because of inflation and rising office costs. Staff said lodging would require an amendment to the resolution and that any increase in the allowance would have to be taken up by the next legislative body, not this committee mid-term. Members also discussed possible tax implications and the need to consult a CPA before changing the rules, with concerns raised about avoiding double-dipping or ethical issues if lodging were reimbursed in addition to per diem. One member withdrew the lodging motion and asked that the committee study the issue further. The committee took no substantive action beyond adopting the minutes and adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made and approved without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• end of this term. 2024, and that resolution carries through the end of this term, and the next legislative
• available within the budget, to assist with defraying lodging costs actually incurred during the legislative
• And I understand where he's trying to go, but to me, that probably would be a clear ethical violation
• Your district's office is exclusively set up for your legislative business, so there's no real commingling
• And also, like I said, even a cell phone, if your legislative assistant has a cell phone that is, you

Summary: The committee met briefly, called the roll, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the June 3, 2024 minutes without objection. Staff then reviewed the purpose of the House supplemental allowance resolution, explaining that members receive up to $1,500 per month for reimbursable office and district expenses such as rent, utilities, printing, postage, travel within the district, and related office costs. Members also discussed the existing carryover rules, including a $3,000 general carryover and an additional $6,000 for printed materials, with unspent amounts reverting to the House budget. Several members asked for clarification about what expenses are currently covered and how reimbursements work, including district office rent, phone and internet bills, per diem, out-of-state travel, conference registration, cell phones, and portable hotspots. The clerk and executive counsel explained that some items are paid from the supplemental account, while others, such as certain conference registration fees or appointed travel per diem, are paid directly by the House operating account. Members also raised concerns about whether using supplemental funds for lodging during session would require a resolution amendment and whether it could create tax or ethics issues, including possible double-dipping with per diem. A motion was made to consider allowing excess supplemental funds to be used for lodging costs for members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could study the issue further and consult a CPA. Members also discussed whether the monthly supplemental amount should be increased in light of inflation and rising office rents, noting that any change would have to be made by the executive committee for the next term. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• These kids are here to immerse themselves in the legislative process and learn about the work we do here
• Questions may be directed to Patrick Fitzgerald, Chief Counsel to the Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• These kids are here to immerse themselves in the legislative process and learn about the work we do here
• Questions may be directed to Patrick Fitzgerald, Chief Counsel to the Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, a matter of business, uh, Legislative Council.
• Bailey and Mains for their services of Robert Jenkins to provide legal services related to the legislative
• ethics investigations and enforcement actions.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on a legislative ethics complaint involving Representative Daniel G. Givens. The committee considered and voted on several probable-cause motions alleging violations of KRS 6.731 based on different sets of conduct: intimidating statements or actions toward a private business, attempts to obtain contributions in exchange for possible state catering vendor business for a private company, and inappropriate treatment of an individual at the Capitol Annex before, during, and after a July 2023 committee meeting and in his office. Each motion was made, seconded, and approved by roll call, with Arnold Simpson voting no on the motions and the other members voting yes. After the probable-cause votes, the chair noted that Representative Givens and counsel could attempt to file an agreed settlement in the case. The committee then concluded its business on the complaint. Later, the chair explained that the Government Contract Review Committee had disapproved a personal service contract for legal services related to the ethics investigation, but the ethics commission, as an independent body with contracting authority, approved the contract effective that day notwithstanding the disapproval. The commission also accepted a financial report by motion and seconded vote, and members expressed appreciation for the staff’s work and the time spent on the case. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Bill 1331 and expedient to legislate. Bill 1331 and expedient to legislate.
• I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
• I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
• I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who
• I heard from a legislator during the legislative process about their daughter, who was a teacher, who

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Jennifer Smith, legislative director for the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• director for the New legislative director for the New Hampshire<00:08:06.400><c> insurance</c><00:08
• </c><00:13:28.000><c> but</c><00:13:28.399><c> this</c><00:13:28.519><c> has</c> uh piece of legislation
• but this has uh piece of legislation but this has been<00:13:28.800><c> going</c><00:13:28.959><c> on
• in reviewing the current uh legislation in reviewing the current uh legislation<00:49:03.400><c> that's

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation does not seek to ban the use of software to implement a pricing strategy that is based
• The legislation does not seek to ban the use of software to implement a pricing strategy that is based
• And if we're not as clear as possible, we have to pump the brakes and refine the legislation.
• So I don't think this legislation is clear enough.
• I think what you're pointing out is like the need for this legislation, right?

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this type of legislation will be very beneficial to officers being able to safely do their job
• And so this has this type of legislation will be very beneficial to officers being able to safely do
• And so what we do with this particular legislation, assuming favorable consideration by the legislature
• He said the legislation was brought by Sheriff Weyborn, the county sheriff in Tarrant County.
• This legislation differs from the existing provisions in G1. I want to make that clear.

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• In what world is this ethical or even remotely humane to inflict cuts to programs utilized by our most
• Legislative Analyst Office. Good afternoon, Sonya Shigerusa with the Legislative Analyst Office.
• I am a legislative advocate with the ACLU California Action.
• That's what this legislative session presents the opportunity to do.
• Sonia Schrager-Russo, Legislative Analyst's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all