Transcript Highlights:

• It's time to cut bait on floor presentations and move on.

Transcript Highlights:

• their deportation, threatening them with $1,000 fines, bribing them to self-deport, and using them as bait
• seeing more children be fast-tracked for deportation, as I mentioned before, basically being used as bait
• Children are being used as bait, and we are now seeing more unaccompanied children because of enforcement

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Did a bait and switch.
• As I said before, it's the emotional bait to get you to bite on the hook.
• And so, this bait is affordable housing.
• As I said before, it's the emotional bait to get you to bite on the hook.
• And so, this bait is affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There should be no baiting or coercing voters to vote one way or the other or interfering with voter

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• Pay none to hear you no negative bait. Beate closed, question is House Bill 630. Pass the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no bait, Senator Yak, you recognize Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3662 , HB4107 , HB3082 , HB2997 , HB3083 , HB3055 , HB2951

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: motor vehicle, accident, notification, liability, civil action, gender neutral, SB1456, Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, sunset extension, sunset law, breath alcohol testing, DUI, DWI, drunk driving, drug testing, chemical testing, field sobriety, roadside screening, blood test, saliva test

Transcript Highlights:

• to that little boy who is now in San Antonio, that five-year-old little boy who was being used as bait

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard two bills. SB 1055 would require immediate notification to ICE or CBP when a person unlawfully present in the U.S. is arrested by state or local law enforcement for a state or local offense. Supporters said it simply strengthens cooperation with federal authorities and clarifies existing law; opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona and several public commenters, argued it is redundant with current statute, could pressure officers to prolong stops or arrests, and would increase fear, racial profiling, and distrust of police in immigrant communities. Members debated whether the bill conflicted with SB 1070-era law and whether it would create new legal liability or merely add a reporting requirement after arrest. The committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1055 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered SB 1065, which appropriates $300,640,000 in FY 2027 from the general fund for a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund. Senator Rogers described hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a non-drug treatment that could help veterans with PTSD and improve quality of life, while supporters emphasized the need to explore options for veterans’ mental health and trauma care. Some members said they supported moving the bill forward but had budget concerns or wanted more detail on how veterans would be selected for the program. The committee approved SB 1065 unanimously, 7-0, with a do-pass recommendation, and then adjourned until the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• that little boy. ...who is now in San Antonio, that five-year-old little boy who was being used as bait

Bills: SB1055 , SB1065

Committee: Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Keywords: immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, veterans, military health, mental health treatment, funding allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporters like White's Fish Camp, Welaka Fish, Crab, and Bait, boat building, and marine construction

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, and marine-biodegradable products, with supporters arguing it creates standards and avoids patchwork local rules; it was reported favorably. SB 1066, by Senator Brodeur, proposed a phased restoration of the Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam area, including partial dam restoration, recreation and economic development planning, and a local advisory council; testimony was strongly divided between restoration supporters and local officials concerned about water supply, reservoir value, and community impacts. The committee adopted an amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/SB 698 by Senator Martin, which would let builders proceed with home construction after applying for septic permits rather than waiting for the permit to be issued first. Testimony from builders and industry representatives focused on permitting delays, contract pricing, and the need for a glide path if DEP rules change; some senators raised concerns about the 120-day transition period, but the bill passed favorably with a technical amendment. CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, would phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam for non-emergency use, require inventory and disposal reporting, create DEP rules and a registry of alternatives, and establish grant/cost-savings support for local agencies; it was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying DEP references and penalty language. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body feature in the Jupiter Narrows area as the Andrew Red Harris Shoal in honor of a local environmental advocate who died rescuing a friend. The bill was amended to clarify the shoal identification and then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested the record reflect additional affirmative votes on certain bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporters like Whitey’s Fish Camp, Welaka Fish, Crab, and Bait, boat-building, and marine construction

Bills: S0698 , S0958 , S1066 , S1230 , S1288

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, marine-biodegradable products; supporters said it would reduce reliance on paper straws that may contain PFAS and create more uniform standards. The bill was reported favorably after brief supportive testimony and no opposition. The committee also approved SB 1066, by Senator Broder, a major Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam restoration proposal. The bill would direct DEP to implement a phased restoration plan, create an advisory council with local and military representation, fund recreation and economic development projects, and address safety concerns tied to the dam’s age and high-hazard status. Supporters from conservation groups, river advocates, and some local residents praised the restoration and planning framework, while several Putnam County officials opposed the bill, arguing the reservoir supports recreation, water supply, and local interests. The committee adopted a late-filed amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 698, by Senator Martin, was also reported favorably. It would let builders proceed with local building permits while septic permits are pending, rather than waiting for sequential approval, and includes a 120-day glide path related to new DEP rules; builders supported the bill as a way to reduce delays, while some senators questioned whether the transition period was too long. The committee then approved CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, which phases out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricts non-emergency training use, requires inventory and disposal reporting, creates DEP rulemaking and a grant program, and exempts certain federal, military, and emergency uses. Finally, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body in the Jupiter Narrows area in honor of Andrew Red Harris, with a technical amendment clarifying the shoal designation. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporters like Whitey’s Fish Camp, Welaka Fish Camp, crab and bait, boat building, and marine construction

Bills: S0698 , S0958 , S1066 , S1230 , S1288

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: onsite sewage treatment, disposal systems, building permits, environmental regulation, local government authority, drinking straws, stirrers, local regulation, compostable, environmental impact, Ocklawaha River, St. Johns River, Silver Springs, river restoration, dam removal, Kirkpatrick Dam, Buckman Lock, Cross Florida Barge Canal, environmental restoration, springs protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Alright, wishing to debate once the bait on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• through Sunday, to eat delicious grits with cheese, eggs, sometimes fried chicken, stew, chicken, bait

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and observed a moment of silence for Senator Geraldine Thompson. The committee first took up CS/SB 102, a bill by Senator Gates directing the Department of Education to develop a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum, in coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Supporters said the bill would help autistic students gain job skills and workplace safety credentials, while an opponent argued the bill should clearly make participation voluntary, expand to other exceptional student groups, include funding, and add stronger accountability. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 166, the Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools bill by Senator Simon. The bill would reduce or remove several state mandates and give districts more flexibility on testing, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, audits, facilities planning, emergency make-up days, federal fund use, and public VPK oversight. Senators asked about the impact on student proficiency, teacher evaluations, and the transfer of public VPK oversight to districts; Simon said the tests would remain but count as 30 percent of the grade, districts would retain flexibility in evaluation measures, and only public VPK would shift to districts. Public testimony was largely supportive, with some speakers praising reduced testing and local control, while one senator cautioned that Florida still has a math proficiency problem. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 296 by Senator Bradley, which would repeal the 2023 statewide mandate requiring later middle and high school start times and return the decision to local districts, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation and consider later start times. Supporters argued the mandate created transportation, staffing, and scheduling problems and that local control was more practical, while opponents emphasized sleep science and the benefits of later start times for teens. Several senators discussed the tension between research and district resources, and the bill sponsor said the measure preserves the conversation about sleep while allowing local scheduling decisions. CS/SB 296 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for Bait.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your attorney general, to his credit, is not taking the bait that Live Nation has put in front of the
• general, to his credit, is not<01:07:54.559><c> taking</c><01:07:54.880><c> the</c><01:07:55.039><c> bait
• </c><01:07:56.480><c> Live</c><01:07:56.799><c> Nation</c><01:07:57.760><c> has</c> not taking the bait
• that Live Nation has not taking the bait that Live Nation has put<01:07:58.240><c> in</c><01:07:58.400

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• said the bill would put additional pressure and catch on musky populations, where trolling and live bait
• 12.240><c> live</c> populations where trolling and and live populations where trolling and and live bait
• fishing</c><00:08:13.120><c> has</c><00:08:13.360><c> become</c><00:08:13.599><c> increasingly</c> bait
• fishing has become increasingly bait fishing has become increasingly popular<00:08:15.199><c> as</c>

Bills: HF624

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and poorly trained agents who have used parking lots as staging grounds, used 5-year-old children as bait
• year-old lots as staging grounds, used 5-year-old children<00:32:42.640><c> as</c><00:32:42.960><c> bait
• </c><00:32:43.360><c> to</c><00:32:43.600><c> arrest</c><00:32:44.000><c> their</c> children as bait
• to arrest their children as bait to arrest their parents,<00:32:45.519><c> pepper-sprayed</c><00:32:46.399

Bills: HF3409 , HF3487 , HF3401

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• one of the proposals is looking at treatments, and one of the LFA projects is for better potential baits
• c> projects is for better um potential projects is for better um potential better<02:03:15.440><c> baits
• 16.239><c> you</c><02:03:16.400><c> know</c><02:03:16.639><c> you</c><02:03:16.800><c> can</c> better baits
• so that you know you can better baits so that you know you can find<02:03:17.360><c> better.

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Umu Bait. Yes, Mr. Chair. All right.
• </c><00:30:27.360><c> Senator</c><00:30:27.679><c> Umu</c><00:30:28.240><c> Bait.
• Senator Umu Bait. Yes, Mr. 2.6 and 3.5. Senator Umu Bait. Yes, Mr.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• funding deal was made with the Legislature last year, and we feel that it's, you know, a little bit of a bait-and-switch
• funding deal was made with the legislation last year, and we feel that it's, you know, a little bit of a bait-and-switch

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.