Transcript Highlights:

• I'll next talk about facility utilization.
• So there's— ...in-person utilization rates.
• San Marcos is using well over 110% classroom utilization.
• Utilization varies campus to campus, of course.
• It's in Education Code Section 84660, if you were interested in reading. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• , INVESTOR OWNED NATURAL GAS UTILITIES, INVESTOR-OWNED WATER AND WASTE BOARD UTILITIES AND THE CERTIFICATION
• I AM A MEMBER OF THE REPTILE SECTION AND CONDOMINIUM PLAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
• AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WE SIGN, WE HAVE A CODE OF ETHICS.
• WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CODE VIOLATION.
• A MILESTONE INSPECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT THE BUILDING BE BROUGHT UP TO CODE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They chose the code to say extensively.
• They used a code that said that. They used a code that said something<00:13:39.839> false.
• , how do we have better utilization, how do we have better utilization, right?
• believe you said it was what article one section one or article two section one is ours.
• you said it was what article one section you said it was what article one section >> two &

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trying to find that section of code. Do you have that handy? Or section of the bill.
• And then at the state level, it's largely codified by Code Section 21-5I-4.
• It's largely codified by Code Section 21-5I-4.
• There's another section of code— ...constitutional officers? It should.
• There's another section of code.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Article I, Section 8 gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war.
• So Title 10, Section 12301 demands that Congress declare war before going to war.
• Under United States Code Title 10, Section 301, as an example, in time of war or national emergency,
• Under United States Code Title 10, Section 301, as an example, in time of war or national emergency,
• It's a very short section of Title 10; it's about a page.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill just brings forward the code sections for salaries, and I won't just nothing in the bill right
• It does have a reverse repeater in it, so just bringing forward code sections.
• We will be deleting section 1 in its entirety and renumbering the subsequent sections.
• We will be deleting section 1 in its entirety and renumbering the subsequent sections.
• And yesterday I had conversations with them, and it's my understanding we've got some code sections still

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Dr. Ryan Wade and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled routine business by dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. Several guests were recognized, including Leadership Jackson County, Farm Bureau members, a doctor of the day, adult educators, and other visitors in the gallery. Senator Brumfield also announced support efforts for Senator Warren Barnett, asking members to contribute to him through Ms. Anita Jackson. The chamber then considered a series of House bills, most of them taken up with strike-all amendments and passed by use of the morning roll call. Measures included HB 1390 on personal services funding allocations, HB 1571 on ARPA funds and unexpended balances, HB 1655 on the State Aid Road Construction director’s personnel status, HB 1650 on dormant state accounts and pooled investments, HB 1651 on state agencies using other agencies’ facilities and charging 50% of fair market value, HB 1345 on administrative forfeiture of illegal cigarette and vaping products, HB 1386 on allowing sidewalks as an eligible use of municipal infrastructure funds, HB 671 on alcoholic beverage delivery responsibility ending when retailers transfer possession to delivery services, and HB 1385 on eliminating paper-original homestead exemption submissions. Members asked questions on several bills, especially about whether the fairgrounds language in HB 1651 would affect youth livestock shows and whether HB 1386 or other measures would change county revenue; sponsors generally said the bills were intended to address state-agency use, municipal reporting, or administrative efficiency rather than alter those programs. The Senate also advanced HB 898, creating a sales tax diversion study committee to review misallocated municipal sales tax revenues, assess impacts, examine technology and oversight, and recommend reforms by the 2027 session; Senator Hill questioned whether counties should be included, but the sponsor said that would be a separate policy decision. Later, the Senate reconsidered HB 1265, the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act extended repealer, adopted an amendment to remove the repealer instead of extending it, and then passed the bill. The body also took up SB 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program, and voted not to concur and to invite conference. Finally, HB 1142 on bench warrant notices was called up; the sponsor explained a strike-all that would replace certified mail with personal service or electronic transmission and include a reverse repealer for further conference work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it's in the same section of law of OMV.
• That's the only reason it was put in there, because it was from the same section of law of empowering
• was put in just because this was an instrument where he could ride, because it's within the same section
• So that long 26-character code for your VIN on your vehicle. Oh, I'm sorry. My apologies.
• of ordinances and their building code, you could then get that property tax exemption, which is 75%

Bills: HB214, HB217, HB514, HB593, HB618, HB732, HB908, HB961, HB1010

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section is the taxable sales and purchases information.
• And you can see the two pieces of code listed there.
• We split the spreadsheet... ...pieces of code listed there.
• The rental rates are also established according to Century Code.
• Agencies then in turn have to kind of anticipate their future utilization.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's duplicative of the existing structure of the code, Children's Code and Criminal Code.
• And so the... of the code, children's code and criminal code.
• And section F, Mr. Chairman, section F on page four, the sheriff can, has the ability to terminate.
• That is page three, section two.
• Health providers if their risk assessment conducted pursuant to Section B.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Code 4, 1, 5, 6, 0, >> All right.
• We have a late filed Amendment bar code 4, 1, 1, 5, 6, 0, by Senator Pizzo Senator Pizzo.
• There is one amendment timely filed bar code 4, 6, 9, 6, 3, 0, by Senator Rodriguez.
• Utility coordination require you to lead owners to submit relocation scheduled for this.
• A bar code 7, 0, 7,000. Timely filed amendment. >> Yep. Okay. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Penal Code.
• And once the judge would do that in an Evidence Code Section 352 hearing, where they would weigh the
• That's Welfare and Institutions Code Section 709A, subdivision 7.
• Section 1172.6.
• Thus, the law providing for such immunities is included within the broad language of Evidence Code Section

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• section over the past decade so the legislature can determine its ongoing efficacy and utility.
• code section over the under the current code section over the past<00:11:57.839> decade<00:11
• . utility. utility.
• um HP 1565 relating to the penal code. um HP 1565 relating to the penal code.
• Specifically, the department is also suggesting deleting Sections G and H and utilizing current statutes

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• To be a section of the **Wildfire Prepared Act**, adding members and duties to the **Fire Planning Task
• Removing the exemption for certain types of advertisement signs, repealing section 74-12-2, NMSA 1978
• , and Laws 1999, Chapter 197, Section 2, **Senate Bill 34**.
• , creating the **Utility Oversight Fund**, increasing certain fees, and changing the distribution of
• to report hazing. creating a civil cause of action, providing additional consequences requiring a code

Transcript Highlights:

• And the intent really is to utilize multiple measures in order to fully understand...
• Who's going to actually utilize the program?
• Section 47614.5, with the COLA and CSL adjustments.
• Code Section 47607(h).
• I mean, that's in the 17078.8.62 of the Education Code.

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gaskey of Carver moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: Section 1A.
• It strikes the final sentence of Chapter 272, Section 28.
• To be prosecuted under Section 28, the material must meet a strict legal definition.
• Michael, it's of Boston, moved to amend the bill by inserting after section 52 the following two sections
• pursuant to subsection A of section 13T of chapter 20.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee. It then took up a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (H. 5393 / H. 5493), which Ways and Means reported at about $227.3 million for items including snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and technical changes related to lottery revenue and other outside sections. The bill was advanced through second and third reading and later passed to be engrossed after a roll call vote. The chamber also passed to engrossment a land transfer bill for the Town of Marion (H. 5388) and a Bolton alcohol licensing bill (S. 2628, as amended). The House also enacted two local bills: one further regulating special meetings of the Holyoke City Council and one amending the charter of the town of Reading. A major floor debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which was framed by supporters as a response to book challenges and censorship in public and school libraries. Supporters, including Representatives Garballey and Moran, argued the bill would protect librarians, require reporting of book challenges, preserve age-appropriate access to materials, and keep challenged books on shelves during review; opponents raised concerns about parental rights and local control. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including one that would have removed a criminal-law protection for librarians and educators, and another that would have shifted school review authority more directly to elected school committees. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and another narrowing who may initiate certain complaints to parents or guardians of a student in the school. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a large roll call vote. The House also debated and passed H. 5491 / S. 1646, implementing recommendations of the Walsh Kennedy Commission on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Supporters said the bill would require certification for hot work, strengthen penalties for repeated or reckless violations, and improve public notification and enforcement to prevent future tragedies; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously or near-unanimously after roll call. In addition, the chamber advanced a local land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path in Billerica and a bill concerning ownership and maintenance of culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook. The session included several recesses, quorum checks, and recognition of guests, including Danvers High School graduates, a former state representative, and WGBH representatives for Public Media Awareness Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your section on line 34, limitations on common law public nuisance claims.
• Is that what that section states? Thank you. Claims. Is that what that section states?
• Yes, on section, I believe you're reading 100C.02, I think that's what you're reading.
• Okay, so what is the purpose of that subsection under this particular section, Section 100C.02?
• of the training data set used by the AI-based algorithms for utilization reviews.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fund was created in North Dakota Century Code 4.1-01-21.1.
• 61-28-04 and the North Dakota Administrative Code 33.1-16-02.1.
• Also, under North Dakota law, there is a right-of-way on any section line, and this was on a section
• under Section 12.2.
• under Section 12.2.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, House Bill 2598 relates to a school psychologist licensed under the Occupations Code
• currently, Texas... ...licensed over 4,000 school psychologists, and ensuring that the legislative code
• They often do not have a huge support system, which compels them to utilize this feature by the age of
• I am even more fortunate to be applying to medical school, where I plan to utilize my tuition waiver.
• Although I was fortunate enough to utilize the tuition and fee waiver right after high school, so much

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me, let me ask you a question, you, um, Under section 107.104 of the Family code.
• If you look at Section 9.204, and I'm a little confused where Section 2 underneath it comes from, it
• So Just so I'm clear, Section 9.201 of the Family Code is post-decree division of property, right?
• That's under the estates code, that's not under the family code. I just want to be really careful.
• I didn't want to, I'm not sure it would fit in here because it's in a different section of the code.

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just in the department rec coded the wrong area, and so in our Gov Rec, we coded the correct area
• Coded the wrong area. And so in our Gov Rec, we coded the correct area.
• This is a utility increase. We're seeing increased utility rates coming to the state.
• We have flexibility between that section and a couple of our benefit sections where we can use their
• It's in a different House bill section.

Keywords: 959, house, all