Transcript Highlights:

• The Ninth Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Mendez family.
• Speaker, pursuant to Assembly Rule 7, I move to suspend Assembly Rule 69 to amend AB 117, AB 117 with
• Motion to appeal the ruling of the chair on the basis that Assembly Rule 7 allows us.
• To modify any rule of this of this chamber and take up the amendment I motion I appeal the the ruling
• Mayo is asking for an aye vote to appeal the ruling of the chair.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those rules reflect an agreement between Chair and I as part of the co-chairing agreement.
• rules um that's in your committee rules um that's in your committee packets<00:01:58.600> and<
• packets and posted online those rules packets and posted online those rules reflect<00:02:01.520
• It's not just for their members, but it lifts up all workers in those industries.
• <02:08:18.119> in the business onto the uh the workers in the business onto the uh the workers

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers deserve transparency.
• Workers should be able to understand whether they are being paid fairly.
• requirements, off-leash rules, clean up after your pet, etc.
• You might end up with inconsistent rulings too.
• It's a conduct-based rule that's based on the functional purpose of the therapy.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're really excited about this rule.
• We think the rule language is much better.
• And even the rules, ...the rule set that we’ve been working on cross-agency to get this more explicitly
• The work group has completed for this rule set.
• For the rule set? Yeah. What about people with lived experience? For the rule set? Yeah, yeah.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , a very very complex set of rules, a very very complex set of rules, regulations<00:35:51.520>
• <02:43:02.800> who protect the full range of workers who protect the full range of workers
• <02:45:31.040> is workers and then then what a worker is workers and then then what a worker
• The frontline workers out on the transit system, which includes the TRIP agents, our facility workers
• , of uh transit officers, what workers, of uh transit officers, what workers, whatever<02:52:02.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They play by the rules.
• Farm workers, Mr.
• They play by the rules.
• Farm workers, Mr.
• Farm workers, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To put the law first and respect the rule of law.
• Our veterans' workers and the workers who touch our veterans will be held to the highest standards possible
• Would you rescind the rule? Senators, I was answering your question.
• We will look at this rule and see if it complies with the law.
• I understand the ruling.

Transcript Highlights:

• of human life; whereas, Reverend Jackson was a tireless advocate for labor rights, standing with workers
• steadfast voice against racism, poverty, violence, and discrimination, championing voting rights, workers
• I rise today to honor a man who didn't just witness history; he rewrote the rules of what was possible
• Upon review of the amendment, I rule it non-germane and out of order at this time. Accordingly, Mr.
• I rise to appeal the ruling of the chair.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules for today's hearing include no talking or loud noises from the audience.
• That's what the Supreme Court has ruled.
• The Supreme Court did not rule that descendants are not eligible for reparations.
• Because California won't abide by SAR's rules. That's evident in the bill.
• , particularly the threat that human workers could be replaced by artificial intelligence.

Summary: The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes. The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• To follow consecutive day absence rule.
• We continue virtual rule virtual roles.
• Chisum is replacing tardy rules.
• I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been a school social worker at RPS for 10 years.
• <01:31:05.440> Um social workers. Um social workers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• workers, are kept safe.
• workers are kept safe.
• workers are kept safe.
• It's the right thing to do for our workers. Is there a motion? Moved by Senator Liu.
• The workers? Absolutely. Any AWR? See none. This bill is referred to Finance.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Jeremy Cooney noting quorum and thanking staff and members. The committee considered a large agenda of transportation-related bills, including measures on school construction notice from NYC DOT, inspection station disclosures, electronic signatures for vehicle registration forms, sex trafficking awareness and prevention, passenger notification after sexual assault incidents involving transportation network companies, hazardous materials rail notifications, ATV seasonal use, highway dedications, disabled-person license plates, a DMV study of inspection stations and fees, lighting requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters, school speed zone cameras in New Rochelle, work zone safety instruction for new drivers, removal of registration stickers in favor of electronic certificates, complete streets considerations, hands-free device rules for bus/taxi/livery drivers, bans on virtual reality headsets while driving, early registration renewal for deployed service members, and road salt distribution requirements. Most bills were reported from committee by voice vote, often with bipartisan support. Several members offered brief comments supporting bills aimed at public safety, worker protection, distracted driving prevention, and trafficking awareness. Senator Gallivan opposed the bill eliminating registration stickers, citing concerns that the stickers help law enforcement quickly identify registered vehicles; that bill was referred to Finance. The committee also referred the road salt bill and the supplemental rail-worker protection bill to Finance, while some other measures were referred onward to Codes or Consumer Protection. The meeting closed after the supplemental rail-worker protection bill was added at the end of the agenda and reported with bipartisan support. Overall, the session emphasized transportation safety, worker protections, and administrative updates to vehicle and highway law.

Transcript Highlights:

• That encompasses about three thousand state employees, graduate workers.
• And yeah, so these workers do not get any medical coverage.
• Graduate workers are often the face of the university to undergraduates.
• Many of our foundational courses offered at NMSU are taught primarily by graduate workers.
• Sometimes it's a cafeteria worker.

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• The social worker was not aware of the Feather Alert, and we continue to educate social workers, the
• , a meeting with the tribal social worker.
• Social workers and training.
• Social workers component, are we giving adequate training to them, to be the frontline workers to identify
• of social workers.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an informational hearing on the state’s response to the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis, with an added focus on foster youth and child welfare. Opening remarks from the chair and members emphasized that California has made some progress through the Feather Alert, DOJ coordination, grant funding, and MMIP summits, but that the crisis remains severe and requires ongoing, not one-time, investment. Members repeatedly noted the need for stronger statewide coordination, better data, and more consistent attention to tribal communities and foster youth. Tribal leaders described the crisis as rooted in jurisdictional gaps, poor data collection, and lack of urgency from law enforcement. Witnesses from Hamul, Chachancey, Tahon, Yurok, and Hoopa tribes shared personal accounts of missing and murdered relatives, criticized inconsistent responses, and called for regional response agreements, direct tribal access to data, sustained funding, and clearer law enforcement protocols in Public Law 280 settings. Several leaders said Feather Alert and state grants have helped build infrastructure and partnerships, but stressed that trust-building, training, and accountability are still uneven across the state. The second panel featured the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice’s Office of Native American Affairs, both of which reported on implementation improvements. CHP said it has tightened Feather Alert practices, increased activations, improved outreach and training, appointed a tribal liaison, and expanded human trafficking training. DOJ described work under AB 3099 and AB 1334, including a Public Law 280 advisory council, improved crime reporting and data systems, MMIP outreach, and a tribal police pilot program with the Yurok Tribe. Members also raised the need to better support tribal courts and ensure protection orders are enforced. The final panel focused on foster youth as part of the MMIP crisis. Advocates from Pitt River, the California Tribal Families Coalition, and Coyote Valley said Native children are disproportionately represented in foster care and are at heightened risk of going missing or being exploited. They argued that foster care, trafficking, poverty, housing instability, and historical trauma are all connected to MMIP, and called for stronger ICWA implementation, culturally grounded services, better coordination with social workers and law enforcement, and immediate use of Feather Alert when Native children are missing. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with continued calls for legislative, budgetary, and policy action.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to the safety of workers, it has always been our firm belief that the workers understand
• This legislation is for the workers. This legislation is for patients.
• You will also be asked how they are recruiting healthcare workers.
• We have yet to establish a consistent rule across the board.
• If we don't even have a hospital in Portales, it is probably more the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to pause there and lay some ground rules.
• I do want to pause there and lay some ground rules.
• There are institutional deeming rules or other rules for some of these situations, so it's not a kind
• Now, those rules are complex and they also change over time.
• with provider taxes as part of federal rule changes.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held the first of several hearings on the Governor’s May Revision for health care, with opening remarks focused on the state’s projected $12 billion deficit, looming federal Medicaid changes, and the potential impact on Medi-Cal, public health, reproductive health, and safety-net providers. Several members criticized the proposal as balancing the budget on vulnerable Californians, while others defended the need for cost containment and questioned the administration’s assumptions. The chair set ground rules for respectful, focused questioning and outlined three topics: the Medi-Cal proposals, Proposition 35, and Proposition 56. DHCS Director Michelle Baas presented the May Revision’s Medi-Cal package, saying the department’s budget totals $200.6 billion overall, including $45.2 billion General Fund, and that the proposals are intended to address rising caseloads, pharmacy costs, and managed care spending. She described proposed changes for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, including a freeze on new full-scope enrollment for those 19 and older, $100 monthly premiums beginning in 2027, elimination of adult dental and long-term care coverage, removal of PPS/RAP payments to FQHCs and rural health clinics for that population, and a pharmacy rebate aggregator. Other proposals included eliminating certain OTC drug classes, removing GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, prior authorization and step therapy changes, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test, eliminating acupuncture as an optional benefit, allowing utilization management for hospice, raising the managed care minimum medical loss ratio to 90%, reducing PACE capitation rates toward the midpoint of the actuarial range, eliminating the skilled nursing facility workforce and quality incentive program, and suspending the SNF backup power requirement. The LAO said the revised Medi-Cal spending estimate is about $2.5 billion higher than the Governor’s Budget in the budget year, and that the increase appears driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload alone. The LAO said the budget solutions are concentrated in a few areas, are largely ongoing, and should be considered in light of federal uncertainty, but suggested the Legislature could explore alternatives such as more targeted income thresholds for the undocumented expansion and simpler asset-test rules. Department of Finance officials said the proposals are difficult but necessary to address a third consecutive deficit and rising Medi-Cal costs. Members then pressed the administration on the methodology and impacts of the proposals, especially the enrollment freeze, premiums, asset test, hospice controls, PACE reductions, and the elimination of benefits and provider payments. No votes or formal actions were taken at this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also knew what workers needed.
• And I remember a time when the great majority of the workers there were licensed social workers.
• For kids because they're not experienced social workers; they're case workers.
• The only mention that's made is of case workers, and we've got to recognize that social workers are trained
• And one of their major complaints was again And the workers. Workers didn't follow through.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, member from Pney, can you please offer us a motion to suspend our rules to introduce bills
• from Pney moves that we suspend our rules to introduce bills by number only.
• And you have suspended rules to introduce bills by number only.
• And you have suspended rules to have it.
• coverage for workers compensation coverage for firefighters<00:09:33.839> with<00:09:34.080><

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional message from Representative Chris Marorrow centered on humility, uncertainty, and keeping a “beginner’s mind” when making decisions. He used a farmer story, a Zen teaching, and a Christian text to emphasize that outcomes are often unknowable and that lawmakers should remain open, curious, and aware of unintended consequences. The chamber then suspended rules to introduce 15 House bills by number only and referred them to committees, including bills sent to Energy and Digital Infrastructure, Judiciary, Government Operations and Military Affairs, Environment, Ways and Means, Commerce and Economic Development, Healthcare, Human Services, and Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The House also adopted JRS 34, a joint resolution setting the weekend adjournment schedule so the two chambers would reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Several committee reassignment motions were approved: H.724, relating to involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances, was moved from Human Services to Healthcare; and H.661, relating to workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters with cancer, was moved from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. Announcements included a Farmers Night event, a Climate Solutions Caucus meeting, and recognition of guests in the gallery. The House then adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was approved by the Rules Committee on May 6th.
• We do not wish to waive the rule.
• Joint rules are suspended.
• I'm proud to present SB 1316, a measure about worker protection and accountability.
• Too many workers are waiting too long for justice.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, what about workers that I terminated without cause and this legislation?
• I worry about how that is really limiting opportunities for workers.
• The workers never never war has it is type material or clothing.
• It could be a lot of different things under lots of different rules.
• The attorney fee provisions are good for for workers.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, Monica, we're not here yet, which is a provision of the access rule.
• The access rule.
• And so the IPAC provision of the access rule really focuses on the...
• The IPAC provision of the access rule really focuses on the direct care workforce and requires states
• of payment rates for direct care workers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Monica Mitra introduced the institute’s work on disability health equity and long-term services and supports, and staff described several research centers focused on community living policy, disability and pregnancy, and parents with disabilities. The presentation emphasized participatory research, accessible dissemination, and the connection between health equity and access to home- and community-based services. Joe Caldwell discussed the Community Living Policy Center’s work on Medicaid HCBS, the direct care workforce crisis, housing, and policy advocacy, including efforts related to the Money Follows the Person program and the Medicaid access rule’s interested parties advisory group. Sid Pickern highlighted a workforce study interviewing direct care workers, a forthcoming policy brief on the access rule, and housing research including Massachusetts’ Alternative Housing Voucher Program. Teresa Nguyen described the Community Living Equity Center’s focus on disparities in community living for people of color, especially a study on self-direction and community living outcomes, and asked for help recruiting participants. Lauren Bixby demonstrated the community living data dashboard, which compares adults who need LTSS with those receiving Medicaid LTSS using ACS and TMSIS data. She explained that the dashboard can be filtered by state and demographics, but noted major race and ethnicity data gaps for Massachusetts and other states. Commissioners praised the dashboard and the institute’s work, asked questions about data sources and the 1115 waiver, and discussed possible connections to the Health Equity Compact. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with an invitation for follow-up, including a forthcoming direct care workforce brief and the institute’s October 28 lecture.