Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Derek Cole with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and we are in support
• accountability measures that finally address a generations-long environmental injustice at our international
• teeth and that no partner nation should be permitted to externalize its waste crisis across an international
• . that study and then here is the way we think we ought to change the rules, that'll come later if it's
• the mutuals were taken over by a for-profit investor utility or by the City of Pasadena, different rules

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I learned about findings of fact and rulings of law and what you can consider and you cannot.
• of law and what you of fact and rulings of law and what you can<00:19:32.320> consider<00:19:
• Um, one of them is, um, looking at the internal operations of RC.
• <00:26:51.200> operations,<00:26:51.760> our looking at the internal operations, our
• looking at the internal operations, our RC.<00:26:53.120> So<00:26:53.360> I<00:26:53.600

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:17.520> okay the state rules okay the state rules okay yes yes yes um<00:39:22.079>
• <00:51:31.920> about make any rules about make any rules about musling<00:51:33.799> uh
• Stacy Ober continued: The International Municipal Lawyers Association has model ordinance language on
• Stacy Ober continued: The International Municipal Lawyers Association has model ordinance language on
• Stacy Ober continued: The International Municipal Lawyers Association has model ordinance language on

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's our policy expert as an intern here and Alex Sprague.
• Rules are adopted. Thank you, members.
• He followed the classroom rules and was overall a great kid.
• That's international standards operations, 27, 1.
• Schools Rules is what it was called.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts would have no effective way to block the rules issued by that commission.
• So a licensee practicing under a multi-state license must abide by the laws, regulations, and rules that
• delegate on the Social Work Compact Commission and have an equal voice in voting on the compact’s rules
• I completed, after college, four years of medical school, a year of internal medicine training, three
• last of our wine and beer on-premises license, which is why Cohasset Town Meeting approved a home rule

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure focused on health care and human services, reviewed testimony logistics, and then heard a long series of witnesses on several bills. Much of the testimony centered on interstate licensure compacts for dentistry, social work, and occupational therapy, with supporters arguing these compacts would improve workforce mobility, continuity of care, and access while preserving state oversight and public protection. Dental witnesses were split on H.455/S.257, with supporters backing the AADB dental compact for its hands-on exam, background checks, and disciplinary safeguards, while opponents argued a competing compact would better promote portability and avoid conflicts tied to proprietary testing and outside commissions. Social work witnesses strongly supported H.380/S.252, emphasizing continuity of care for clients who move across state lines, reduced costs and delays for practitioners, and the compact’s public-protection features; occupational therapy witnesses similarly supported H.427/S.256, citing access, telehealth, military families, and maintained standards. The committee also heard testimony on S.242, which would expand licensure for lactation care providers. Supporters, including lactation counselors and health center staff, said adding certified lactation counselors and related credentials would expand access, improve breastfeeding support, and allow reimbursement for services now often provided without billing. They described the training required and said the bill would help families, especially in underserved communities. Representative James O’Day also testified in support of the social work compact, and a Council of State Governments witness provided background on compact mechanics and state participation. Another major topic was H.419/S.214 on medical debt. Physicians and researchers testified that cancer patients experience long-lasting medical debt and collections burdens, and they supported limits on the sale and collection of medical debt, bans on reporting it to credit bureaus, and related consumer protections. The hearing also included H.465 on a pathway to special licensure for certain long-term limited-registration dentists serving MassHealth patients, which Representative Senna supported as a way to allow immigrant dentists to practice independently. Finally, the committee heard sharply divided testimony on H.444/S.284, which would allow trained dental hygienists to administer Botox and dermal fillers: supporters framed it as a safe, preventive, and access-expanding tool for TMJ, bruxism, and pain management, while dermatologists opposed it as outside hygienists’ training and a patient-safety risk. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will be implementing the 24-hour rule for committee amendments, committee substitutes, to the
• implementing record um and we will be implementing the<00:02:02.360> 24-hour<00:02:03.000> rule
• 00:02:03.240> for<00:02:03.439> committee<00:02:04.039> committee the 24-hour rule
• for committee committee the 24-hour rule for committee committee amendments<00:02:05.039> committee
• it developers our County clerks internal it developers our County clerks and<00:16:03.360> their<

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• I gave them a year to promulgate those rules because you know how hard rulemaking is.
• So there'll be adequate time for all sides to get those rules the way they want them.
• And then the PRC... ...rules the way they want them.
• So they set the rules as to what is going to be put out there for cost recovery.
• They set the rules for mitigation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• actions against certificate holders and licensees as necessary to enforce applicable statutes and rules
• So now we're evaluating what training is needed internally, and we're going to provide that for them
• that's Andrea Fielding has done that for me. and researched it and done a fantastic job sharing of internal
• We've done it internally.
• But it's only because we've been able to do it internally, and of course, I can't Sustain that because

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the study and next steps and identifying some of those policy goals so that we can coordinate internally
• And you could probably—we've talked a little bit internally.
• that, although I cannot give you the legal briefing today, I believe that the IRS regulations and rules
• But I don't believe that's allowed under IRS rules. Okay.

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• because we already have the plans ready to go when we do receive funding, or we can utilize our own internal
• This is a combination of our internal budget.
• Entering into the federal process, we do have to follow a little rules.
• This is actually the rule. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• two appropriations, recommending 18 million overall as the Executive did for The national and international
• They probably have some kind of rule they can't do that two years in a row, so we got runner-up this
• But those big sort of outdoor recreation events that are gonna draw in international, I think, are gonna
• So we work directly with him, and he helps internally to make sure the right people are seeing these
• As we're having conversations with companies, so as we're having conversations, we earmark internally

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Senate Rule 21C, I grant leave to the JBC to meet while the Senate is in session. >> You
• 21C, I grant I I motion to Senate Rule 21C, I grant I I motion to grant<01:38:29.679> leave<01
• The coat rule is relaxed for everyone in the chamber.
• The language basically says if an insurer and affiliated entity is subject to the AI rules created by
• And so with that in mind, uh under<02:44:42.560> rule<02:44:42.960> 25e, under rule 25e

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received a series of engrossing/revising/enrolling notices and committee reports. Committee reports advanced several measures, including House Bills 1139 and 1263 from Business, Labor, and Technology; House Bills 1206, 1111, and 1014 from Finance; and later Appropriations reports on House Bills 1423, 1419, 1276, 1256, 1015, and Senate Bills 189, 188, 187, 180, and 125. The chamber also granted a brief recess for guests and later granted leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and personal privilege remarks. Senators recognized the University of Denver men’s hockey team for winning the 2026 NCAA championship and adopted a joint Senate-House tribute honoring the team’s 11th national title. Senator Kolker also marked Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Day/Week, describing the condition, the need for screening and treatment, and honoring a guest advocate living with TD. The Senate then moved through third-reading consent and final-passage votes on multiple bills. Measures passed included SB 181, HB 1338, HB 1344, HB 1336, HB 1227, HB 1314, HB 1282, HB 1317, HB 1078, SB 167, HB 1069, HB 1132, HB 1347, HB 1210, HB 1196, HB 1224, and HB 1028; HB 1028 was first removed from the consent calendar, amended with a conforming amendment, and then passed. Several bills drew notable opposition, including HB 1132 and HB 1210, while HB 1069 passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over the general order second-reading calendar to Friday, May 8, 2026, and took up special-order second-reading bills in committee of the whole, adopting the special-order consent calendar and reporting those bills back favorably for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is my first session here, and I am the majority policy intern. Thank you.
• I'm an intern for the Democratic Caucus, and this is my first session. Thank you.
• And then research staff, which I've already introduced myself, so just our intern.
• I'm a majority research intern, and it's my first session. Thank you.
• It creates a fair and uniform rule, and it protects the process for all parties.

Bills: HB2043, HB2045, HB2046, HB2048, HB2064, HB2074, HB2126, HB2133, HB2144

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, drive-by shooting, gun violence, firearms, felony, vehicle forfeiture, driver license revocation, drive by shooting, public safety, criminal penalties, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a series of bills dealing largely with sexual exploitation, homicide, reproductive issues, child support, venue changes, domestic violence service of process, probation notice, and traffic offenses. HB 2133 would require websites distributing sexual material to verify age and consent for each depicted person, including AI-generated or altered images; it drew opposition from Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice over added complexity, and support from survivors and trafficking advocates, and passed 7-1. HB 2043 would expand felony murder to include the death of an unborn child; reproductive rights groups and defense attorneys raised personhood and abortion-related concerns, while prosecutors and victims’ advocates supported it, and it passed 6-2. HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy and limit pregnancy-related orders to medical and related expenses; supporters framed it as responsibility and support for pregnant women, while opponents warned about fetal personhood and abortion-related implications, and it passed 6-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• I THINK THAT WE CAN FORECAST WITH SOME CONFIDENCE THAT THE SAME KIND OF RULE WOULD APPLY TO TASKS AND
• NEXT UP WE HAVE JOE OUR CEO OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL.
• I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL BASED IN CLEARWATER.
• FLORIDA AND WHAT WILL BE STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THEN WHAT RATIO WILL INTERNATIONAL
• >> RIGHT NOW THE RATIO OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT USF IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 11 PERCENT OR SO.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the rules that would apply for her would be different. than someone who's 13 or 15 or 16.
• I want to know what happens if the abuse is from somebody internal to the school. school, who do you
• When we keep internal issues internal, that is to me one of the most dangerous things separate from this
• My name is Adi Tsinkopan and I'm an intern representing Girls Empowerment Network, an organization that

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's take Up Tab. 5 SB 754, on International Baccalaureate bonus funds by Senator Burton.
• knowledge teacher and in an additional $500 teacher bonus, if their teacher is a a D or F school International
• International Baccalaureate is considered seed to be can cordis quarter for an I B courses.
• Charmaine Post waiving in support and Megan Fay waiving in support from the Florida League of International
• But also previous security rules applied based on the way the statute was drafted whenever a student

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I prefer us to make the rules as opposed to the executive branch.
• ,<00:47:24.560> it flow well with if it were a rule, it flow well with if it were a rule,
• would make more sense through the rule would make more sense through the rule to to to >>
• So if we and the rules is the details.
• Um, is internalized government before.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to ask for we suspend the rules to allow Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated regional
• Whereas Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, an international service organization, is the oldest Greek letter
• I like to ask for we suspend the rules I like to ask for we suspend the rules allow allow allow
• to allow Alpha Cappa Alpha rules to allow Alpha Cappa Alpha Sorority<00:27:35.279> Incorporated
• National, and international communities.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND ON AUGUST 29th WE DID ISSUE AND REPUBLISH THE RULES OF ELEMENT AND AS OF LAST WEEK WE NOTIFY THE
• THESE CHANGES REQUIRE AN UPDATE TO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD RULE AND A
• NOTICE OF RULE DEVELOPMENT WAS PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 12th OF THIS YEAR.
• THE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED LICENSEES OF THE LAW CHANGE AND WE COMPLETED ENHANCEMENTS THE INTERNAL SYSTEM
• WE PUBLISHED A RULE IN JANUARY DIRECTED THEM TO INTEGRATE WITH OUR SEED TO SALE SYSTEM AND IT REALLY

Transcript Highlights:

• to rule again...
• Motions are debatable unless our rules say otherwise. These rules say this.
• Unless our rules say otherwise. These rules say this is not a debatable motion.
• So if our rules said otherwise, that's what would control.
• A vote of yes upholds my ruling; a vote of no votes to overturn my ruling.

Keywords: 996, all