Transcript Highlights:

• It was a very well-litigated case, very effectively litigated on both sides.
• It was a very well-litigated case, very effectively litigated on both sides.
• It was a very well-litigated case, very effectively litigated on both sides.
• However, I am certainly persuaded that the threat of that frivolous litigation litigation uh would be
• However, I am certainly persuaded that the threat of that frivolous litigation litigation uh would be

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• When there is pending litigation, the second issue is whether the bill will permit the prosecution of
• I have no doubt that it will be litigated immediately.
• It was snuck into an unrelated bill and pushed through without proper transparency or debate.
• This amendment will create transparency within police departments, building trust and communication between
• And so this is about transparency.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB20, SB217, SB264, SB269, SB650, SB681, SB528, SB502, SB740, SB916, SB995, SB10, SB2581, SB2570, SB3031, SB24, SB379, SB1171, SB1121, SB1120, SB1061, SB1036, SB1019, SB890, SB11, SB868, SB1188, SB1254, SB2778, SB2543, SB2443, SB1333, SB1259, SB1401, SB1404, SB2139, SB2165, SB2237, SB2268, SB1202, SB1198, SB1212, SB1451, SB1470, SB1498, SB965, SB1547, SB1667, SB1818, SB1902, SB2129, SB2078, SB2069, SB1737, SB1589, SB1318, SB387, SB1150, SB1574, SB2127, SB3034, SB860, SB1278, SCR5, SCR32, SB4, SB23, SB1762, SB34, SB60, SB706, SB1814, SB1220, SB523, SB565, SB1253, SB840, SB764, SB2383, SB2155, SB1535, SB1423, SB1566, SB1804, SB1728, SB1816, SB1952, SB75, SB2068, SB1455, SB213, SB627, SB2037, SB670, SB896, SB917, SB1184, SB971, SB1255, SB1261, SB1283, SB991, SB1733, SB21, SB231, SB739, SB1252, SB1371, SB646, SB3, SCR27, SB552, SB1405, SB1948, SB243, SJR1, SB31, SB33, SB20, SB217, SB264, SB269, SB650, SB681, SB528, SB502, SB740, SB916, SB995, SB10, SB2581, SB2570, SB3031, SB24, SB379, SB1171, SB1121, SB1120, SB1061, SB1036, SB1019, SB890, SB11, SB868, SB1188, SB1254, SB2778, SB2543, SB2443, SB1333, SB1259, SB1401, SB1404, SB2139, SB2165, SB2237, SB2268, SB1202, SB1198, SB1212, SB1451, SB1470, SB1498, SB965, SB1547, SB1667, SB1818, SB1902, SB2129, SB2078, SB2069, SB1737, SB1589, SB1318, SB387, SB1150, SB1574, SB2127, SB3034, SB860, SB1278, SCR5, SCR32, SB546, SB647, SB648, SB1493, SB1709, SB2001, HB5669, HB3115, HB5655, HB5675, HB5689, HB5690, HB5653, HB3228, HB2802, HB45, HB1318, HB5560, HB2894, HB4344, HB2775, HB33, HB 12, HB148

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• Champion in his legal capacity as an attorney represented Reverend Jerry McAfee and Salem, Inc. in litigation
• this, but whenever there is an appropriation from the legislature, first of all, it's the most transparent
• all, it's legislature, first first of all, it's the<00:36:33.760> most<00:36:34.000> transparent
• because<00:36:34.800> you<00:36:34.960> got<00:36:35.040> to the most transparent
• because you got to the most transparent because you got to introduce<00:36:35.520> a<00:36:35.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe appraisals provide a less expensive, more efficient alternative to litigation to settle the
• their car fixed sooner after a collision or their home restored sooner after a storm, and less litigation
• use it or lose it provision, because both sides abuse the appraisal process right now and waste litigation
• , see how the litigation goes.
• The case goes to appraisal, then it comes back to litigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so if you don't choose collaborative family law and you choose a traditional litigation approach,
• you have to file and it's an AOC 238 form. traditional litigation case.
• So if traditional litigation case.
• approach, you have to file litigation approach, you have to file and<00:05:26.400> it's<00:05
• <00:09:36.880> model, if you're in that litigation model, if you're in that litigation model

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 109 26:47 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 109 32:30 - Discussion of 26RS HB 190 36:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 190 37:30 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Families and Children Committee met in the 2026 regular session and heard House Bill 109, which would amend Kentucky divorce law to waive the current 60-day waiting period for couples with minor children when the parties have already completed mediation or collaborative family law and are ready to finalize their decree. The bill sponsor, Representative Deetsz, argued the measure would reward families who have already done the work to resolve custody, parenting time, and property issues outside of court, and said it would not affect traditional litigation cases. She also explained that delays can be especially burdensome when retirement-account division requires a QDRO after the decree. Committee members discussed how long collaborative cases typically take, with the sponsor estimating about six months on average and longer in complex cases, and noted that some judges already require parenting classes or allow reconciliation conferences in certain circuits. David Walls of the Family Foundation testified in opposition, saying the bill would make divorce easier for parents with children and move Kentucky in the wrong direction. He argued waiting periods can encourage reconciliation, protect marriage commitments, and reduce harms to children and public costs associated with family fragmentation. He urged lawmakers to preserve or even lengthen the waiting period rather than eliminate it, and framed the issue as protecting children and strengthening marriage. During questions, Representative Bojanowski strongly objected to Mr. Walls’ characterization of divorce, saying her own divorce was necessary for her children’s well-being and that the bill simply shortens the process after mediation. Representative Elliott asked about typical timelines in collaborative cases and noted that some courts require parental education. Representative Moser asked whether counseling is required; the sponsor said it is not, though reconciliation conferences may be requested at a judge’s discretion. The transcript ends after discussion of the bill and before any recorded vote or final committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• She currently attends a therapeutic school after very costly litigation involving her local public school
• There's no transparency, and the frontline clinicians are left navigating shifting rules that detract

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something that we debate and litigate in every rate case that comes up.
• But I think that the consequence is, if there's no transparency, you have suspicion.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'll show you the signal transparently, the facts.
• They lived through the entire episode, even in herds that got caught up in litigation and reached 70%

Bills: HB3270, HB3145, HB3056

Keywords: farmed cervidae, chronic wasting disease, genetic resistance, wildlife management, agriculture, wildlife tagging, hunting regulations, Cervidae family, feral swine, exotic wildlife, conservation, commercial hunting, raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this has gone through 15 years, of which nine of them were litigation and public process, with significant
• on any policy runs on good-faith negotiations with all stakeholders and ensuring that there's transparency

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard three major bills. SB 237, by Senator Grayson, proposed a package of fuel-supply and permitting changes aimed at stabilizing gasoline prices during California’s energy transition. Supporters, including state officials, Kern County representatives, labor groups, and industry groups, said it would help retain in-state refining and drilling capacity, reduce price spikes, and protect jobs. Opponents, including environmental justice and conservation groups, argued it would expand oil drilling without enough community protections and would not meaningfully address climate goals. After extensive testimony and questions about emissions, sunsets, and long-term strategy, the committee passed SB 237 on a due pass vote, with some members voting no or not voting. SB 352, by Senator Reyes, sought to strengthen implementation of AB 617, the community air protection program, by codifying the Environmental Justice Bureau in the Department of Justice, extending monitoring requirements, and requiring annual legislative reporting. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability and ensure that funding for impacted communities actually produces emissions reductions. Some environmental justice advocates were neutral or not fully supportive because they wanted stronger language, while business and industry groups opposed the bill, arguing it was added late and duplicated existing processes. The committee approved SB 352 on a due pass vote. SB 840, by Senator Limon, was the cap-and-invest reauthorization package. It would update offset protocols, adjust how revenues are spent, and continue funding for key climate, housing, transit, and community programs, including AB 617. Support came from environmental groups, labor, local governments, housing advocates, and clean transportation organizations, while some agricultural interests objected that the package did not sufficiently prioritize climate-smart agriculture and methane reduction programs. The committee passed SB 840 on a due pass vote as well. All three measures were later confirmed out of committee after calls were lifted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency.
• intent of AB 218, simply put, this legislation and other subsequent measures. that attempt to re-litigate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not able to address the specifics of litigation, but that is the heart and substance of the bill.
• Speaking of transparency, the bill creates an honest service registry for all charities that register

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a financial transparency piece because it does provide where everything's got to be disclosed
• This drives up litigation and insurance costs for utilities, which ultimately get passed down to the

Transcript Highlights:

• We then got into litigation with a contractor, and after years of haggling back and forth, there was
• There is language in the bill about transparency requirements and ensuring that there is a report back

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• SOMEBODY LITIGATED THIS CASE.
• backdoor workarounds, and denying young adults the dignity of exercising their rights in a lawful, transparent

Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects

Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, strict liability lawsuits, defense created by this bill's centered on transparency and public
• an owner who has a site near Apalachicola that was granted a permit to drill is now I believe in litigation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Make America Healthy Again movement recognized America's desire for clearer, more transparent information
• Noncompliance can lead to financial penalties for the customer and distributor and potential litigation

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and first heard SB 1826 by Senator Martin, which would restrict ultra-processed foods served to public school students during the school day. Senator Martin said the bill is aimed only at government-purchased food in public schools, not parents’ lunches or after-school sales, and argued it is intended to protect children’s health and school performance. Members questioned the bill’s definition of ultra-processed food, its scope during the school day, and possible cost and compliance issues. Senator Rouson offered a friendly amendment extending the compliance date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026, and the committee adopted it. Several industry groups and associations spoke against the bill, citing lack of a clear definition, FDA preemption concerns, costs, and the risk of a state-by-state patchwork; Moms for Liberty waived in support. Senator Martin then temporarily postponed the bill for further work. The committee next took up CS for SB 1132 by Senator Truenow on consumers’ right to repair certain equipment, including agricultural equipment and portable digital devices. An amendment by Senator Boyd was adopted to exclude security and life-safety systems and remove automobile-related provisions. Public testimony included opposition from TechNet, which said the bill is unnecessary because repair parts, tools, and manuals are already available and asked for changes to make the bill prospective and remove the private right of action. Agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturers testified against the bill, arguing that current repair resources and a memorandum of understanding with the Farm Bureau already address repair access, while warning that the bill could undermine dealer margins, parts inventory, training programs, safety, cybersecurity, and emissions compliance. Some members supported the concept but noted the bill still needed work. The committee voted 4-0 to report CS for SB 1132 favorably. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Florida 4-H youth leaders on the organization’s impact and goals. The presenters described 4-H’s role in leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, highlighted statewide participation and camp programs, and asked for continued support for camp improvements, especially the Camp Cherry Lake revitalization effort. Senators praised the students’ presentations and the value of 4-H before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• employer by from using or disclosing the former employer sensitive business information, but that litigation
• enhance protections for cents a sensitive business information and provides greater certainty and transparency

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• application center under this new committee is critical to provide certainty, predictability, and transparency
• are the three of us represented here, will ensure that the committee brings about the increased transparency
• That the committee brings about the increased transparency, consistency, and predictability that is necessary
• A lot of what we heard around this entire process was creating transparency and input in the public sphere
• We wanted to make sure that there was active and transparent participation from stakeholders.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• which are the three of us represented here, will ensure that the committee brings about increased transparency
• are the three of us represented here, will ensure that the committee brings about the increased transparency
• That the committee brings about increased transparency, consistency, and predictability that is necessary
• A lot of what we heard around this entire process was creating transparency and input in the public sphere
• We wanted to make sure that there was active and transparent participation from stakeholders.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also want to raise the issue that we don't accept the concept that there's excessive lemon litigation
• So the amount of lemon litigation is not really proportionate to the amount of defective cars that are
• hoping that this will at least allow for an opportunity for us to see in these next few years if the litigation
• hoping that this will at least allow for an opportunity for us to see in these next few years if the litigation
• goes down, but the consumers are still able to find out... ...these next few years if the litigation

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met in a subcommittee setting to hear SB 26, a follow-on bill to last year’s AB 1755 dealing with California’s Song-Beverly “Lemon Law” process. Senator Umberg explained that the measure is intended to preserve the compromise reached last year while allowing automakers to opt out of the new framework and return to the prior law, with the goal of speeding up discovery and helping consumers resolve claims more quickly. Committee members and the author also noted the bill’s connection to concerns about court congestion and the need to revisit the law as vehicle technology evolves. Support came from Consumer Attorneys of California, Toyota, and several automakers and manufacturers, including General Motors, Rivian, Honda, Hyundai, Lucid, Tesla, Kia, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes. Toyota said the bill gives automakers a five-year opt-in choice and reflects the negotiated deal. In soft opposition, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety said it preferred more manufacturers opt out, but remained concerned about AB 1755’s reduced statute of limitations and repose, negative equity deductions, and the broader impact on consumers with defective vehicles. After quorum was established, the committee took up the motion and passed SB 26 on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye. The chair thanked the stakeholders for reaching a compromise and indicated the bill would move forward, with immediate referral anticipated after floor action.