Transcript Highlights:

• But is there any academic research showing the efficacy of 1482 that you have, that we've seen to date
• I'm not aware of the academic research.
• is our largest problem, but 2-1-1 is overwhelmed in Los Angeles and frequently fails to deliver achievable
• And I think augmenting 2-1-1 with the dedicated support line would go a long way to achieve that goal
• ... ...for the acts included in AB 20 concluded the ordinance failed to achieve any of its goals.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower the statewide rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the current sunset date on the Tenant Protection Act. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address severe rent increases, stabilize tenants now, and extend protections to renters in single-family homes. Supporters included tenants, labor, housing advocates, and some small landlords who said modest caps can still allow property maintenance and provide predictability. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property owner groups, argued rent control discourages housing production, can reduce maintenance, and should not be expanded before the Legislature receives the planned review of the existing law. Several committee members voiced mixed views: some supported moving the bill forward while warning about impacts on housing supply and small landlords, while others opposed it on supply and voter-opposition grounds. After extensive public comment from large numbers of supporters and opponents, the committee passed AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee on a 7-5 vote. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275. It then heard ACA 3, a proposed constitutional amendment to require the University of California to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term UC support staff who are first-time homebuyers. The author and labor supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers access homeownership and stay near their jobs, while UC and other opponents said the proposal was duplicative of existing CalHFA programs and would create unnecessary administrative and financing complications. The discussion ended with questions about financing mechanics and coordination with CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the exemption in the assessment requirements for the Texas Success Initiative for students who achieve
• and the exemption in the assessment requirements for the Texas Success Initiative for students who achieve
• In your grace, you call us to reflect this goodness not as an achievement of our will but as fruit.
• and the exemption in the assessment requirements for the Texas Success Initiative for students who achieve
• I just want to make it clear, I got the academic award every year for the basketball team.

Bills: HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB658 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HB1971 , SJR3 , HB1775 , HJR72 , HB502 , HB3109 , HJR98 , HJR8 , HJR133 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB23 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB1686 , HB2217 , HB2156 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB3773 , HB421 , HB2584 , HB2615 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB3747 , HB2775 , HB2886 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3506 , HB1638 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3628 , HB1349 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB1762 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB267 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1201 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2290 , HB2341 , HB2436 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , HB2954 , HCR56 , HCR102

Keywords: Article V, federal government, fiscal restraints, constitutional amendment, term limits, nuclear energy, electric generation, funding, Texas nuclear development fund, advanced reactors, HJR 133, Texas constitutional amendment, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, homestead exemption, surviving spouse, veteran, veterans benefits, service-connected death, presumed service-connected condition

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Minnesota Morris in greater Minnesota, they relied on a lot for public television just academically
• for public they relied on a lot for public television<00:04:03.080><c> just</c><00:04:03.360><c> academically
• </c><00:04:04.120><c> and</c><00:04:04.280><c> also</c> television just academically and also television
• just academically and also for<00:04:04.800><c> warnings</c><00:04:05.320><c> and</c><00:04:05.760><

Summary: House File 3936 was heard as an appropriation bill for public television stations serving Greater Minnesota. The author described it as a bipartisan one-time funding proposal totaling support for Pioneer Public Television, Lakeland Public Television, KSMQ, PBS North, and Prairie Public Television, and argued the stations were under financial strain after federal public broadcasting cuts and could potentially go dark without state help. Supporters emphasized the stations’ importance for children, community connection, emergency information, and representation in rural areas. Several members spoke in favor of the bill, while others said they supported the substance but opposed advancing it because of concerns that it was linked to a controversial Senate omnibus bill. The discussion focused less on the merits of public television funding and more on whether the House should move the bill forward given the Senate situation. One member requested a roll call vote, and the chair noted an understanding that the House would avoid “shenanigans” and keep the bill clean. The committee voted 13-12 in favor of the motion to refer the bill to the general register, but the chair ruled that the motion failed because the agreement required a majority of the committee to move it forward. As a result, House File 3936 remained with the committee and was not advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill goes ahead and raises that bonus to $10,000, which makes salaries competitive for these high-achieving
• </c> competitive for these high-achieving competitive for these high-achieving teachers.
• This is done in the states that have the best education achievement, so this is kind of par for the course
• , so this is best education achievement, so this is kind<00:22:06.400><c> of</c><00:22:06.600><c> par
• I'm Deb Halbert, Vice President for Academic Strategy. We stand on our testimony in support.

Bills: SB2567 , SB2448 , SB3046 , SB2231 , SB2526

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no doubt in my mind you all will achieve great things for the people of Florida.
• To Alex Smith, especially, I love seeing your success, and I'm excited to see what you achieve in the
• Tant this year on a great bill for career and academic planning for middle and high school students,
• Great bill for career and academic planning for middle and high school students, one that should pass
• In my district, we recognize Black History, honoring the stories and achievements that Black people have

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. Members approved the journal and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber also recognized Sheriff Mike Chitwood as law enforcement officer of the day and later held several introductions and farewell remarks, including lengthy closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service and legislative priorities. The House then took up and passed a series of Senate bills, often after adopting House strike-all or conforming amendments. CS/SB 590 on mandatory child abuse reporting was clarified to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism was amended to incorporate House language, including blue-envelope provisions, and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) was amended to preserve House provisions and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund was amended to expand eligible health science programs and allow certain non-health-care contributions, then passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care passed 111-0. Later bills also advanced with broad support: CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences passed 168-0 after debate over medication-assisted treatment; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed 112-0 after amendments allowing limited coach support for student-athletes with parental consent; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts passed 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services passed 111-0 after an amendment on exclusive arrangements. The chamber then began debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, which would restrict counties and municipalities from official DEI-related actions and contracting practices. Members questioned its scope and exceptions, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program now has 11 state championships, a truly remarkable achievement. Mr.
• Mr Speaker I rise today to achievement Mr Speaker I rise today to congratulate<00:59:07.559><c> the<
• Enjoy this victory, and congratulations on your achievements.
• Enjoy this victory, and congratulations on your achievements.
• An EPA is obligated under the law to set pollution limits based on what is already being achieved at

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PAST FEW MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ADD-ON WEIGHTS OF CERTAIN ACADEMIC
• I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE IN THE HOUSE PROPOSED FEFP WE ARE ESTABLISHING THE ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTION
• OF THEIR PROPOSED FEFP OFFER YESTERDAY, BUT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE SENATE IS ALSO LOOKING AT THE ACADEMIC

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I don't think we're achieving the goal by passing this legislation.
• And so I don't think we're achieving the goal by passing this legislation.
• And so I don't think we're achieving the goal by passing this legislation.
• And so I don't think we're achieving the goal by passing this legislation.
• And so I don't think we're achieving the goal by passing this legislation.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• could have a dozen coaches, if you think every male and female coach, are we valuing sports over academics
• We're putting academics before athletics. Representative Gant: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• This is also an academic piece. So I ask for your favorable support.
• reminding you that, even though this bill is called extracurricular activities, we're still putting academics
• I can't wait to see you make history and achieve something that we should have done many years ago.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about academic distraction and underperformance.
• depression that nicotine fuels<00:17:49.240><c> it's</c><00:17:49.400><c> about</c><00:17:49.679><c> academic
• </c><00:17:50.200><c> distraction</c> fuels it's about academic distraction fuels it's about academic
• by the General Assembly pertaining to physician assistants alone, and KMA has worked with KAPA to achieve

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• They brought forth the academic proposal for it, and then we had to work it out with research.
• And it did read very academic. Well, as I would expect. Yeah, me too, but we had to...
• And it did read very academic. Well, as I would expect. Yeah, me too, but we had to...
• And it did not look like they had experience going through academic programs.
• Not really academic programs. That would be more of a higher education thing.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2510, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeier, which would create a coordinated state framework for critical minerals involving the Departments of Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Higher Education and Workforce Development. The sponsor said Missouri is well positioned because it contains 36 of 60 minerals deemed critical to national security and manufacturing, and argued the bill would help Missouri pursue federal funding, build a workforce pipeline, and support advanced manufacturing with a five-year sunset. Committee members questioned the need for a new state structure and fund, the cost to Missouri, the role of universities, and whether the task force was too narrowly written around the University of Missouri system and mistakenly included DESE instead of higher education. A Missouri Chamber witness supported the bill for its economic and national security benefits, while an environmental witness urged adding an environmental professional to the task force and a mining permitting framework, citing health and water concerns and suggesting a separate mining-regulation bill as an amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 2585, sponsored by Rep. Castile, which updates Missouri workforce development statutes to align with federal law and implement the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The sponsor said the bill would allow short-term, high-value training programs in fields like welding, public safety academies, health technology, and trucking to qualify for Pell support, while preserving oversight and tying eligibility to outcomes such as completion, job placement, and earnings. Members asked about the number and makeup of the workforce board, whether the bill’s staffing references still pointed to the wrong department, how the 150% poverty-level threshold and reporting metrics would work, and whether the board could move quickly enough to meet federal timelines. A Missouri Community College Association witness said all 12 community colleges have programs likely to qualify and explained the federal eligibility standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and three-year rolling data review; a FGA Action witness and the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as a way to expand access to skills training and draw down federal funds. After the bill hearings, the committee received an informational presentation from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The presenter described the compact’s regional cost-saving work, including reciprocity for distance education, technology contracts, grants, and efforts on dual credit and FAFSA support. She also shared Missouri-specific data on educational attainment, enrollment trends, student migration, and net price, noting that Missouri lags slightly behind the U.S. in attainment, has projected declines in high school graduates, retains most in-state students, and has higher net prices for low-income students than the Midwest average. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are modifying that to the satisfactory academic progress standard that exists in federal law.
• We did move from the GPA to the satisfactory academic progress.
• And so if you now look at B6B, it says meet satisfactory academic progress and then references the federal
• And then we updated that GPA to the satisfactory academic progress.
• Satisfactory academic progress is measured in many different ways: the GPA, what we call PACE, which

Bills: AB328 , AB397

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And they meet satisfactory academic progress according to the institution's policy, which typically includes
• I'm the Chief Academic and Research Officer at Hennepin Healthcare and also an internal medicine physician
• I'm the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for CentraCare.
• Rural Health Academic Affiliation Finance Subcommittee.
• in rural Minnesota, and we made sure that we were establishing the same type of controls for our academic

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So I like to say it really does take all our island resources to help us achieve our goals, and we've
• A lot of these are academic studies, but it also is unusually strong in getting close to the metal of
• And there's a choice of what you build to be ready for that year. are academic studies, but it also uh
• are academic studies, but it also uh among<00:40:32.640><c> those</c><00:40:32.880><c> models</c><00
• </c><02:00:18.239><c> when</c><02:00:18.639><c> you</c> you can see what's achievable when you you can

Bills: SCR48 , SCR28 , SCR74 , SCR62 , SCR60 , SCR89 , SCR147 , SCR179 , SCR182 , SCR59 , SCR54 , SCR180

Transcript Highlights:

• So, completing the fiscal year 2024 audit is necessary in order to achieve that accreditation.
• </c><00:44:53.200><c> Um,</c><00:44:53.520><c> I</c> Honestly, that's more of a question for the academic
• So, we see more students transition to achieve their credential or degree or whatever it takes to get
• So, we see more students transition to achieve their credential or degree or whatever it takes to get
• So, we see more students transition to achieve their credential or degree or whatever it takes to get

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring these opportunities are supervised by qualified teachers and allowing students to earn academic
• She compared the academic system to a surgeon and said there are some vestigial parts of the system that
• She said that when we look at how academic standards overlap with credit equivalencies and seat time
• supports that our teachers want academic supports that our teachers want to<00:44:16.839><c> provide
• towards graduation academic credit towards graduation despite<00:57:33.039><c> everything</c><00:57:

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• With only a handful of classes receiving exceptions for academic lessons, I do want to flag, um, this
• </c><00:45:20.640><c> lessons,</c><00:45:21.200><c> I</c><00:45:21.359><c> do</c> exceptions for academic
• lessons, I do exceptions for academic lessons, I do want<00:45:21.680><c> to</c><00:45:21.839><c> flag
• Flags can signal celebration for birthdays, achievements, graduations, and more.
• ,</c> celebration for birthdays, achievements, celebration for birthdays, achievements, graduations,<

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm giving a presentation on this at an academic conference in a couple of weeks, and I'm sure it
• </c><01:34:18.080><c> conference</c><01:34:18.320><c> in</c><01:34:18.480><c> a</c> this at a academic
• It's a question of being wedded to an aim and figuring out what's the best way to achieve that.
• </c><01:47:32.159><c> I</c><01:47:32.400><c> would</c><01:47:32.560><c> say</c> achieve that.
• I would say achieve that.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• progress according to the academic progress according to the institution's<00:11:12.399><c> policy</
• I'm the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for Centra Care, and I
• <01:26:51.239><c> affiliation</c><01:26:52.080><c> Finance</c> academic affiliation Finance academic
• </c> same type of controls for our academic same type of controls for our academic affiliation<01:28:
• affiliation not just one side academic affiliation not just one side or<01:28:50.760><c> the</c><01:

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there is academic support for the idea that Prop 13 itself was passed... ...academic support for
• These are basic needs, and that's what they need government to help them achieve.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an informational hearing on California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or Rainy Day Fund, with presentations from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, Practical Idealism Economics, and the California Budget and Policy Center. The LAO explained that California’s revenue volatility is driven largely by the personal income tax and high-income capital gains, and described how Proposition 2 deposits work, the 10% cap on the BSA, and the LAO’s evaluation that the current policy would cover only about 30% of funding shortfalls over 50 years in an unfavorable benchmark scenario. The LAO recommended raising the cap to 50% over time and either adopting broader deposit rules or depositing all excess capital gains. Finance said the administration had proposed raising the cap to 20% and excluding reserve deposits and withdrawals from the state appropriations limit. The Budget Center supported reserve reform but stressed balancing savings with current service needs and noted other tools such as revenue changes, borrowing from special funds, and the new Projected Surplus Temporary Holding Account. Committee members debated the purpose and adequacy of reserves, the role of the state appropriations limit, and whether reserves should be paired with broader fiscal reforms. Several senators argued that reserves are needed to preserve core services during downturns and that the current system is too complicated and too small, while others emphasized the need to protect spending on health care, child care, and other services for working Californians. There was also discussion of infrastructure spending as a possible countercyclical tool and whether deposits for infrastructure should be treated differently under reserve and SAL rules. The LAO said the Legislature has flexibility in defining infrastructure spending and suggested an infrastructure fund could function as a separate reserve-like mechanism. A significant portion of the hearing turned to broader tax and budget policy, including repeated references to Proposition 13, the state’s revenue structure, business departures, unemployment insurance financing, and the impact of inequality on California’s fiscal resilience. Some members argued Prop. 13 was driven by affordability concerns for homeowners, while others said it created loopholes that benefit corporations and constrain local revenue. The hearing did not take any vote or formal action; it remained informational, with the chair indicating the committee would continue questions and public comment after the panel discussion.