Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a great job with that. I appreciate your consideration.
• I think all of us can speak to this, but we've all been mobilized for state issues.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, Kevin had retired after more than 30 years in the brewing industry and took a job driving
• behalf of the California Legislature We have unspeakable gratitude to the countless Californians mobilizing

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, I want to observe that you're doing an outstanding job upon the roster.
• And I would ask every member: how many of you have worked two full-time jobs and rushed to the grocery
• Because I've been in that situation through college working two jobs.
• it would create more well-maintained trails for all folks that use the MBTA, regardless of their mobility
• Talk about an example where the private sector should have been engaged to maximize job creation and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a major environmental bond bill with amendments covering climate resilience, housing health, plastics reduction, coastal protection, fisheries, and related regulatory issues. Early debate included Senator Keenan’s withdrawn amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program with $50 million, followed by his adopted amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packages. Senator Tarr’s amendment to remove the paper bag charge was defeated after extended debate over whether the 10-cent bag assessment functioned as a tax; a related floor speech from Senator Duner argued the fee would burden working families. The chamber also adopted Senator Fernandez’s ocean acidification amendment, which would aggregate ocean monitoring data to support shellfish, water quality, and coastal management, with support from Senators Sear and Driscoll. Other adopted measures included Driscoll’s Houghton’s Pond multi-use trail, Montigny’s New Bedford State Pier redevelopment and harbor oil-recovery provisions, Collins’s Commonwealth Conservation Commission later withdrawn, and several coastal resilience and housing-related amendments. The Senate also approved a series of environmental and public health measures. Senator Moore’s rodenticide restriction amendment was adopted after testimony from animal welfare and conservation groups, with the sponsor describing harms to wildlife, pets, and livestock and noting local municipal support. Senator Lewis’s amendment directing DEP to study the feasibility of banning polystyrene was adopted, as was Senator Mark’s Massachusetts Climate Bank amendment and Senator Edwards’s carbon sequestration amendment expanding attention to salt marshes, seagrasses, and waterways. The chamber adopted amendments on equitable representation, improving indoor air quality, and a Douglas State Forest trust fund that would raise the entry fee from $1 to $2 for maintenance. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Collins’s urban coastal resilience commission and Tarr’s proposed Commonwealth Conservation Commission. Housing and permitting issues were another major theme. Senator Driscoll’s amendment requiring local confirmation before a project is designated a priority housing project was defeated, but his related amendments clarifying the process and requiring consultation with the Housing and Livable Communities Secretary were adopted. The Senate also adopted Crichton’s amendments streamlining permitting for coastal resiliency projects in urban areas and creating a five-year pilot for nature-based solutions, as well as Tarr’s amendment adding dredging and sand placement to general coastal permits. Tarr’s amendment to revise the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund was adopted, while his later constitutional challenge to a landform-migration provision was withdrawn after he argued it could amount to an uncompensated taking. The session ended with the Senate noting only two amendments remained and then adjourning in memory of Quincy’s former mayor James A. Sheets.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 202 by Representative McMakin, State Civil Service, announcement of classified job, create
• vacancies, to require certain information for the job announcement, provide for notice of rejection,
• Members, HB 232 would take the minor child who's going to get a job out of having to go to the school
• system after going on a job.
• to the school system after a job interview to get a certificate of employment or a work permit.

Bills: HR70, HR71, HCR35, HB31, HB326, HB1013, HB1014, HB1015, HB1016, HR65, HR66, HR67, HR68, HR69, HCR33, HCR34, HB1006, HB1007, HB1008, HB1010, HB1011, SB2, SB13, SB24, SB28, SB40, SB47, SB48, SB70, SB79, SB80, SB109, SB127, SB139, SB154, SB181, SB199, SB200, SB208, SB277, SB317, SB336, SB349, SB357, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HB51, HB58, HB69, HB82, HB93, HB143, HB166, HB199, HB201, HB202, HB218, HB222, HB223, HB224, HB231, HB235, HB246, HB338, HB349, HB352, HB379, HB405, HB429, HB535, HB547, HB577, HB588, HB626, HB636, HB652, HB653, HB669, HB688, HB691, HB721, HB738, HB749, HB806, HB843, HB851, HB857, HB861, HB889, HB904, HB907, HB908, HB929, HB955, HB1009, HB952, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB53, HB57, HB64, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB177, HB238, HB256, HB258, HB337, HB359, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB661, HB697, HB726, HB727, HB747, HB756, HB758, HB759, HB765, HB767, HB825, HB858, HB930, HB941, HB957, HB964, HB868, HB119, HB140, HB739, HB842, HB875, HB919, HB52, HB228, HB289, HB735, HB796, HB901, HB193, HB400, HB570, HB733

Keywords: Northside High School, basketball, state championship, sportsmanship, athletic recognition, commendation, criminal justice, community contributions, Bridget A. Dinvaut, law enforcement, tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, retirement, police benefits, disability, municipality, Social Security

Transcript Highlights:

• all California students with consistent and well-funded arts education, support arts teachers and jobs
• well, too, but, you know, the importance here was to really begin to help to support some of the new jobs
• That individual does an amazing job, but it's too much for one person, so our county offices... ...an
• amazing job, but it's too much for one person, so our county offices, our local partners, have all had
• And when they get offered a job at the end of the year to be somewhere and not have to drive around,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pursue academic growth that supports long-term opportunities for careers, college, and economic mobility
• And so the reality is the schools that are doing their job have a cell phone policy in place.
• Eight years ago, I was struck by a hit-and-run driver while commuting home from my job on my bicycle.
• My co-workers and I, in an already difficult job, became nearly impossible.
• that they're working on transportation, foster families, and then the caseworkers can actually do the jobs

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• pursue academic growth that supports long-term opportunities for careers, college, and economic mobility
• And so the reality is the schools that are doing their job have a cell phone policy in place.
• Eight years ago, I was struck by a hit-and-run driver while commuting home from my job on my bicycle.
• My co-workers and I, in an already difficult job, became nearly impossible.
• Our core job is protecting and planning for the... Would have to drive on any given day.

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's our job. That's not unique to Green Hill School.
• If resourced, I believe we can do the job very well.
• I am also at Angeles Job Corps.
• In terms of the family, we use mobility mentoring, which is an evidence-based approach to working on
• In terms of the family, we use mobility mentoring, which is an evidence-based approach to working on

Summary: The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen. The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services. The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant. Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• is an important bill because there's federal funding that's available under the Infrastructure and Jobs
• that we have in duth and uh 1700 jobs that we have in duth and uh and<00:10:06.120><c> the</c><00:10
• But it is our job as committee members to better understand as much as we can.
• You have a lot of costs for mobilization, traffic control, getting people out there.
• You have a lot of costs for mobilization, traffic control, getting people out there.

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• For the few jobs that California is creating, we don't have roads where people can drive to those jobs
• Our job is oversight. That's what we're supposed to do.
• With our tax dollars, we ought to be able to count on some good-paying jobs.
• How do you define high road jobs? Do you have to find...
• How do you work off of a definition of high road jobs?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't need a mandate from this body to tell them how to do their job.
• I say this frequently: if we're not doing our job, we should be fired.
• So with that, certified, qualified teachers in our state doing the job.
• But it feels as though Missouri just keeps quitting the job without planning first.
• And I was blessed that I was able-bodied, that I had a job that was shift-based.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our auxiliary staff mostly work second jobs.
• Good job. Are you Natalie? Steve DeLine, Lucas Sims. Lucas Sims, thank you. Show me two more.
• Obviously, you guys, your number one job is to teach all the children, right?
• I don't want a make-work job. I want a job that positively affects the lives of others.
• We've seen 10-year math and science teachers leave the profession to go out to a public job.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not that the, it's not that the job is harder.
• I mean I have an advanced air mobility bill that, uh, Mr.
• I mean, I've know, I know each one of them personally, and they do such a great job.
• They let their jobs go as well just to sort of do attend more conferences.
• Good job. See that guy. I've done that for years The chair calls Steven Aleman. I was tempted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mobile home landlord. HB 2301. Pricing general. HB 2302. Student licensure. Commerce and Education.
• Mobile home parts. HB 2460. Business projects. HB 2467. Study committee. Legislature. Government.
• HB 2713, mobile home farmers. HB 2715, local planning residents and government.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:10.640><c> coaches</c> employment providers and job coaches employment providers and job coaches
• out there and there are hardest jobs out there and there are literally<00:47:32.119><c> thousands</c
• of kind of highlighting the good job of kind of highlighting the work<00:53:37.760><c> that</c><00:53
• </c><01:34:34.520><c> food</c> already making meals and mobile food already making meals and mobile food
• We don't have the administrative bandwidth to do that job with the degree of excellence that we want

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> able to maybe accomplish our our job, able to maybe accomplish our our job, whatever<01:17:20.000
• </c><01:18:02.560><c> that</c><01:18:02.880><c> we</c> able to um accomplish the job that we able to
• um accomplish the job that we then<01:18:03.520><c> even</c><01:18:03.760><c> asked</c><01:18:04.000>
• That we see as a huge barrier to us being able to actually do our job.
• by stating no it's Roy did a good job by stating no it's based<02:11:52.800><c> on</c><02:11:53.040>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine if we can't process nutritional assistance, housing assistance, mobility services to get elders
• </c><00:07:43.919><c> Services</c><00:07:44.639><c> to</c><00:07:44.759><c> get</c> assistance Mobility
• Services to get assistance Mobility Services to get Elders<00:07:45.280><c> to</c><00:07:45.440><c>
• Representative Robbins did a wonderful job on this and helped me on this amendment, and with after 10
• on this and helped me on wonderful job on this and helped me on this<00:34:35.599><c> amendment</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He has the same problem that AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have in that his providers are also looking
• T-Mobile have in<00:26:22.120><c> that</c><00:26:23.120><c> his</c><00:26:23.440><c> providers</c><00
• There’s one P-79 district left, and I think we’ve done a very responsible job with that.
• There’s one P-79 district left, and I think we’ve done a very responsible job with that.
• </c> think we've done a very responsible job think we've done a very responsible job with<01:05:33.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, good job, you guys.
• I wrote it out, and so then I basically wrote myself out of a job.
• I wrote it out and so then I basically wrote myself out of a job.
• So there was a series of things that made it difficult for the states to even do their jobs.
• I don't believe it's the government's job to tell people what they should and shouldn't buy.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, overwhelmingly first responders: physicians, firefighters, EMTs, mobile intensive care technicians
• The vast majority of the syringe exchange services are provided through mobile vans and cars, so we are
• </c><00:48:52.680><c> mobile</c> are are provided through mobile mobile are are provided through mobile
• mobile use<00:48:53.520><c> mobile</c><00:48:53.880><c> Vans</c><00:48:54.400><c> and</c><00:48:54.640
• Vans and and cars so we are use mobile Vans and and cars so we are getting<00:48:55.960><c> out</c><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 1419, SB 1494, and SB 1495, which were taken out of order to accommodate ASL/Death Blind Task Force testimony. SB 1419, relating to Act 253 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2023), drew support from the Department of Human Services and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, with testimony emphasizing use of the term “low vision” and support for the program timeline. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and updated appropriation fiscal years, and the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. SB 1494, concerning hearing aids, drew broad support from disability advocates and others who argued that hearing aids improve health, reduce accidents, and may help reduce dementia risk. Testifiers also urged that the bill define hearing aids as prescription hearing aids rather than including over-the-counter devices, and the Department of the Auditor and Insurance Division raised cost and coverage questions. The committee recommended passage with amendments, changing the coverage approach to optional coverage similar to vision and dental and requesting a sunrise analysis for prescription hearing aids; that recommendation was adopted. SB 1495, which exempts hearing aids from the general excise tax, also received support, while the Attorney General flagged a possible single-subject issue and the Tax Department estimated a potential $1.1 million revenue impact. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including deletion of the challenged language, technical fixes, and noting the revenue estimate; that recommendation was adopted. The committee then moved through additional measures with mostly supportive testimony. SB 1421 on medical records prompted questions about what happens when a solo practitioner dies or closes practice, and the discussion centered on ensuring patients can obtain records, including a proposed amendment requiring a successor provider to send records to the patient’s last known address. SB 1422, dealing with a special fund and vital statistics funding, was supported by the Department of Health, which said the special fund did not meet criteria and that deposits should instead go to the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. SB 1423 on certificate of need exemptions for Department of Health facilities drew support, with discussion of possibly extending exemptions to dialysis and behavioral health/psychiatric services; the Department indicated it would not oppose that change. SB 1424 on credentialing of health care providers also received support, and SB 1425 on the State Emergency Medical Services Committee focused on reducing quorum requirements because many members are active first responders and cannot always attend meetings. The committee also heard support for SB 1426 on emergency medical services, SB 1431 on viral hepatitis, and SB 1433 on harm reduction, with testimony on hepatitis outreach funding and syringe access best practices; for SB 1433, the Department of Health identified a blank in the bill and recommended a six-month period for the syringe-possession exception.