Transcript Highlights:

• We're giving the contractor up to nine days of four-hour closures midday.
• we'll be going to the communities to determine when's the least disruptive time to have a couple-day closure

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, lower growth of headstочно, and cost layoff and businesses closures
• the ability to absorb the increased supply chain costs, leading to thinner profit margins, forced closures

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, as we start to see signals from some county partners of potential program closures or workforce
• These closures are due to financial instability, shutting down programs, and gutting some of the HRSA

Transcript Highlights:

• A recent study found that 700 hospitals were vulnerable for closure this year, and four of those in New
• that 700 hospitals were<01:12:04.480><c> vulnerable</c><01:12:05.600><c> for</c><01:12:06.080><c> closure
• for closure this year and<01:12:07.280><c> four</c><01:12:07.440><c> of</c><01:12:07.600><c> those</
• :39.520><c> and</c> increases the risk of service loss and increases the risk of service loss and closure
• in the communities that have no closure in the communities that have no alternatives.<01:53:42.639><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Typical triggers for the use of law enforcement include nighttime work or lane closures, long-term or
• Likewise, the county does not have the resources to staff highway closures that require 20 officers at
• I've seen as many as 30 officers needed in other jurisdictions for highway closures when they're building
• and blue lights and proper markings, none of us agree that a yellow Fiat needs to be in a traffic closure
• , but they can conduct an investigatory detention if an individual pulls up or crashes into their closure

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:17:21.280><c> other</c><00:17:21.600><c> health</c> The increase of referrals since school closures
• Has there been an increase in referrals since school closures with COVID?
• And I know that you ask in here about increases since COVID school closures, but I think the tail end
• here about um increases since COVID here about um increases since COVID school<00:58:46.240><c> closures
• , but I think the tail school closures, but I think the tail end<00:58:48.960><c> the</c><00:58:49.200

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said it is more of a crisis than they anticipated with the early closure.
• He said they were told the project would be phased and coordinated, but the road closure on Monday blindsided
• He said they were told the project would be phased and coordinated, but the road closure on Monday blindsided
• /c><01:26:39.840><c> with</c><01:26:40.000><c> lay</c><01:26:40.360><c> offs</c><01:26:40.760><c> closure
• </c><01:26:41.320><c> of</c> be paid for with lay offs closure of be paid for with lay offs closure of

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• face barriers to timely prenatal care, including financial constraints, lack of transportation, closures
• face barriers to timely prenatal care, including financial constraints, lack of transportation, closures
• c><00:07:59.759><c> of</c><00:08:00.000><c> other</c><00:08:00.319><c> rural</c> transportation, closures
• of other rural transportation, closures of other rural clinics,<00:08:01.199><c> and</c><00:08:01.440
• And this, of course, possibly results in pretty catastrophic closure of service lines and facilities

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• imperative to have a robust workforce that is resisting the changes such as the advancement of AI, closure
• imperative to have a robust workforce that is resisting the changes such as the advancement of AI, closure
• imperative to have a robust workforce that is resisting the changes such as the advancement of AI, closure
• imperative to have a robust workforce that is resisting the changes such as the advancement of AI, closure
• imperative to have a robust workforce that is resisting the changes such as the advancement of AI, closure

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• There are three things driving this legislation: the debilitating school closures from the COVID years
• There are three things driving this legislation: the debilitating school closures from the COVID years
• There are three things driving this legislation: the debilitating school closures from the COVID years
• There are three things driving this legislation: the debilitating school closures from the COVID years
• There are three things driving this legislation: the debilitating school closures from the COVID years

Transcript Highlights:

• unbudsman position had been sort of like unbudsman position had been sort of like a<01:32:34.719><c> beach
• </c><01:32:37.600><c> Um</c><01:32:37.920><c> at</c><01:32:38.159><c> the</c> a beach head for transparency
• Um at the a beach head for transparency.
• I know it sounded like I did, but closure. I just stumbled over something, you guys.
• I know it sounded like I did, but closure. I just stumbled over something, you guys.

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, in short, I'll tell you this: the beach that I swim on, the beach that I go to a barbecue on,
• that beach is where one of my great-grandmothers on my grandmother's side lived.
• She was sold from there. that beach to Marksville, Louisiana, and by the grace of God, somehow we came
• On the 4th of July, we went to Mustang Beach near Corpus Christi.
• It didn't seem to bother the families in Mustang Beach. So why is it bothering some of you?

Bills: HB4

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><03:59:55.520><c> one</c><03:59:55.680><c> in</c><03:59:55.760><c> Hampton</c> Hampton Beach
• , one of the one in Hampton Hampton Beach, one of the one in Hampton Beach<03:59:56.239><c> called</c
• </c><03:59:57.439><c> I</c><03:59:57.680><c> don't</c><03:59:57.840><c> know</c> Beach called Aces and
• I don't know Beach called Aces and Ace. I don't know the<03:59:58.239><c> majority.
• 07.920><c> their</c> The witness said he forgets the ownership structure of the facility in Hampton Beach

Summary: The committee first took up SB 63, which concerns funding for the division of travel and tourism and its relationship to the meals-and-rooms tax calculation. Members asked for confirmation that the bill would not affect municipal distributions under RSA 78-A:26. Jennifer Ramsey of the Department of Revenue Administration explained that the amendment does not change meals-and-rooms distributions, but instead corrects the calculation for the travel and tourism appropriation by adding back the municipal fund transfer before applying the 3.15% floor. Chris Shay of the Office of the Attorney General agreed with that explanation. The committee also discussed the complexity of the meals-and-rooms statutes and the possibility of a future cleanup effort. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 63 ought to pass; it will not go on consent because it has a fiscal note. The committee next considered SB 60, relative to advanced deposit account wagering. Rep. Murphy moved ought to pass, explaining that the bill would regulate advanced deposit wagering on horse racing and impose a 1.25% revenue share on wagers from New Hampshire residents, generating roughly a quarter-million dollars in new lottery revenue in the first year. The motion passed 19-0, and the bill will not go on consent because of its fiscal note. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 147 ITL, with members noting that live racing facilities are in decline and the market is shrinking. SB 160, which updates raffle ticket pricing and prize limits for bingo-related gaming, also passed ought to pass 19-0 and will not go on consent. The committee then took up SB 73, which revises coverall bingo rules and increases prize limits. An amendment, 2025-1470H, was offered to raise the total prize amount to $5,000; members supported it as a reasonable compromise, and the amendment was adopted unanimously. The bill as amended then passed ought to pass 19-0, again with a fiscal note preventing consent placement. After those votes, the committee moved into a work session on SB 83, where members began discussing the bill’s video lottery terminal provisions, including the meaning of “maximum wager,” the absence of a cumulative betting cap, and concerns that the bill combines several distinct policy changes—tax treatment, VLT rules, renaming, and a self-exclusion database—into one measure. No vote was taken on SB 83 during the work session, and members indicated they would continue discussion later after reviewing side-by-side materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• Haddy loved the beach, making arts and crafts, coloring for hours, and leaving thoughtful notes and drawings

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We always celebrated down at his beach house in Port O’Connor.

Transcript Highlights:

• California is home to the largest Cambodian population in the United States, and Long Beach is recognized

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several bills to different committees and permission for committees to notice bills pending re-referral. A motion by Assemblymember Castillo to suspend the rules and take up AB 2670 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. Assemblymember DeMaio then moved to re-refer AB 2624 back to the Privacy Committee, arguing the bill had been misrepresented in committee; the Majority Leader’s substitute motion to move to the Daily File was accepted 44-19, and the chamber proceeded to regular business. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 120 on Positive Parenting Awareness Month after Senate amendments were concurred in 56-0. It also adopted ACR 150 declaring California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, with broad support and 62 coauthors added. Several policy bills then passed, including AB 2233 on autism treatment access and missed appointments (57-0), AB 1601 creating a pathway for a Sonoma County retiree COLA review (50-3), and AB 1801 expanding notice and transparency requirements for private detention facility approvals (45-16). The chamber also adopted H.R. 103 recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, with 60 coauthors added. Members also gave guest introductions recognizing the Greek Evzones, the Whitney High School girls cross country team, and dispatch and public safety telecommunicator guests. Additional resolutions on the consent calendar, including ACR 130, ACR 172, and H.R. 104, were added to by coauthors and then adopted along with the remaining consent calendar items, which passed 62-0. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjourned until Monday, April 20 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• California is home to the largest Cambodian population in the United States, and Long Beach is recognized

Transcript Highlights:

• me and my counterpart in the House, Representative Michael, also from Jacksonville, by our Neptune Beach

Bills: S1080 , S1112 , S1324 , S1338 , S1582 , S1672

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Keywords: traffic safety, school zones, speed detection systems, license plate recognition, yellow signal timing, data privacy, municipal powers, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce, limited liability companies, corporations, principal office, registered agent, Florida Statutes, charitable giving, endowment agreements, donor restrictions

Transcript Highlights:

• SO THAT'S WHAT THIS DOES, AND IT WAS A CATEGORY 4 WHEN IT CROSSED MIAMI BEACH AND THEN CAME INTO DOWNTOWN

Transcript Highlights:

• Orkidia Burrae, on behalf of Long Beach City College, in support. Good morning, Chair and Members.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met in a special hearing on SB 638 by Senator Padilla, a workforce development bill aimed at creating a new coordinating entity, the Middle Class Pipeline Project, to streamline education and workforce programs and improve career pathways, especially in high-unemployment and low-income regions. The author and supporters argued California’s current workforce system is too siloed and disjointed, and that the bill would better align education, training, and employer needs while expanding access for underrepresented communities. Support testimony came from the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California EDGE Coalition, National University, Long Beach City College, and United Ways of California, all backing the idea of stronger statewide coordination and data-driven planning. Committee members raised significant concerns about the scope of the proposed entity, its overlap with existing bodies such as the California Workforce Development Board and other education agencies, and whether $1.5 million would be enough to staff and operate it. Several members questioned whether the bill was duplicative, too broad, or should be delayed for a more deliberative process or audit. Senator Padilla responded that the bill was intended to keep an operational coordinating entity on the table for tri-party negotiations with legislative leadership and the Governor, and that the final structure and priorities were still to be worked out. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 638 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed five ayes, with DeMaio and Tangipa voting no and Celeste Rodriguez not voting at that time. The chair later noted the record would remain open for additional members to add on, and the meeting adjourned after a courtesy vote and closing remarks.