Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:21.599><c> on</c> and testify from the public on and testify from the public on 241<00:51:
• </c> situation um the Department of Public situation um the Department of Public Safety<00:54:13.319>
• Not only do we have a solid public safety with the BCA and what the Department of Public Safety does,
• I look to the public if there’s any public comment that would like to make comments.
• </c> the public if there's any public the public if there's any public comment<01:04:17.160><c> any</

Bills: HF2335 , HF2400 , HF2401 , HF2522

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• First is the expansion of the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund.
• First is the expansion of the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund.
• Senators, that does it for public testimony. We are now in debate. We are now in debate.
• done by the Florida Sheriff's Association, but that's not for public view.
• Matt Metz, public defender from the Seventh Circuit. That's the Daytona Beach area.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, public testimony is closed and we will move on.
• Senate Bill 2583, opening up public testimony.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• Additionally, it requires each LMHA to have a public member.
• That is coming from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just the public records exemption that...
• Seeing no questions, move to public appearance forms.
• Seeing none, we are in public testimony. We are not in public testimony because we don't have any.
• Public testimony: Tyler Sununu, waving in support.
• I am the public policy analyst at Disability Rights Florida.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And this has led to a disconnection in our public education system.
• I do not know if we ever speak this plainly in public.
• educational institutions was not the intent.
• So we can fix the issue and keep the public institutions we have intact and healthy: $12.8 million in
• Thank you for your time and ability to provide public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In aid of such inquiry, the committees held public hearings, which members of the public were invited
• This bill stays from repeal the current public records and public meeting exemption for cybersecurity
• Public safety must always come first.
• Airports are lasting public institutions. Their names last for generations.
• A public memorial is permanent. Public memorials reflect the preeminence of principles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair was the Chair of Consumer and Public Affairs, and I was appointed his Vice Chair.
• So, there is a public fund, the Uninsured Employers Fund. The Uninsured Employers Fund has...
• Certainly, Madam Chair, members of the committee, it applies to those institutions.
• And so all the institutions of higher education in New Mexico create their own policies.
• And if we had something like this that crossed all the institutions of higher education in New Mexico

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is designed to have dialogue so that the public can be aware of it.
• The Goldwater Institute is involved in a lawsuit.
• And I'm also going to remind members of the public who are here to testify.
• The fee for a public record must be based on material costs only.
• I'm going to call up the Goldwater Institute again on this one.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033

Committee: Senate Government

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a devoted public servant who will be deeply missed.
• Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. State Controller Malia Cohen.
• , the greatest system of public higher education anywhere in the world.
• That happened, and that's happening in California's public educational system.
• No one's walked away from public safety. You guys have been leaning into public safety.

Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• The general public, but for ourselves as well.
• She violated, by statute, the safety of the public.
• Disclosure violations impeding a safe environment to the public.
• Public safety objections are speculative.
• I'm just talking about medical abuse that could cause a public health crisis.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 28, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training and board-approved skills standards. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and other advocates, said the bill would help address workforce shortages, reduce student debt, and improve access to care, especially in rural and low-income areas. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and several veterinarians, argued the bill could weaken training standards, increase liability, and create safety risks; the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association ultimately moved to neutral after amendments added supervision and affidavit requirements. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next passed Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow a person who does not receive care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing requirements on that person that the resident would not face. Supporters said the bill was needed to fix a recent agency interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use, and noted a possible floor amendment to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine. Supporters said the change would improve access in underserved and rural areas and reflect how telemedicine is already used in human medicine, while opponents warned that longer telemedicine prescriptions could delay necessary exams and diagnostics, increase the risk of misdiagnosis, and create animal welfare and liability concerns. After testimony, the sponsor asked that the bill be held for a possible amendment next week, so no vote was taken. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1164, which would allow Medicaid claims to continue under a prior owner’s billing number during a skilled nursing or assisted living facility change of ownership until new enrollment is complete; supporters said this would prevent long reimbursement delays, while Access raised concerns about federal-law conflicts and said it needed advance notice to process ownership changes. The bill passed 6-0 with one member not voting. Finally, the committee passed Senate Bill 1181, which expands CPA licensure pathways by allowing combinations of degree and work experience and updates reciprocity and rulemaking provisions, and Senate Bill 1415, which creates a licensing path for salaried insurance adjusters with out-of-state credentials, subject to an amendment clarifying exam and employment requirements. Both bills were supported as workforce and mobility measures, and both were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• My career in public service is built on a simple belief.
• Chair, Senator, just my institutional background with the department.
• And what was the total investment, since it's a public-private, right, public dollars and private dollars
• We took public in 1994 and sold for a billion dollars in 1997.
• It is a public-private partnership that delivers real returns for Arizona.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Travis Moore, Community Associations Institute, waving in support.
• of Financial Services when used by the savings institution.
• Senate Bill 752 by Senator Simon, related to defamation, false light, and unauthorized publication of
• Senate Bill 752 by Senator Simon, related to defamation, false light, and unauthorized publication of
• Florida law provides that a newspaper or television station accurately reports a public event like a

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and considered several bills. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow service of process on scammers through the same nontraditional communication methods they use; it passed 8-0. CS/SB 280 on candidate qualification would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and a private right of action to disqualify noncompliant candidates; it passed unanimously. CS/SB 948 on flood disclosures was amended to extend disclosure requirements to residential leases, condo developer leases, and mobile homes, with tenant remedies if disclosures are not provided and flooding causes major losses; it passed 8-0. The committee also advanced CS/SB 498 on IOTA interest rates after a lengthy debate over legal aid funding and bank regulation. Supporters argued the bill would restore sustainability and fairness to the program by setting alternative interest-rate benchmarks, while opponents said it would cut funding for civil legal aid and that banks participate voluntarily. After testimony from legal aid leaders and bankers, the bill passed 7-2. SB 774, requiring clerks to electronically transmit certain mental health, substance abuse, and risk protection orders to sheriffs within six hours, was presented in response to a fatal Volusia County incident and passed 11-0. CS/SB 752 on defamation and online publication was amended to require removal from a website rather than the internet, then passed 8-2 after testimony from the media, a private attorney, and supporters who said it would help people harmed by false online reports. The committee also heard SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, which would create a narrow defense against strict liability claims if notice and gamma radiation survey requirements are met. The bill was amended to clarify notice provisions and received support from industry and technical witnesses describing radiation surveys and reclamation practices. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 832, so no committee action on that bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can meet more frequently, and those are all public hearings.
• And, you know, there will be frequent report-outs as part of any public hearing.
• And then, should public funds be allowed to renovate privately owned property?
• So our regulations have been, you know, we're a public agency.
• public school system Facility that was once a public school facility, does the public school system

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• around the table will have an opportunity to be introduced because we think it's important for the public
• These last two lines here are for Power of People Leadership Institute, extending the availability in
• These last two lines here are for Power of People Leadership Institute, extending the availability in
• </c> 300,000 Rural Cancer Institute 300,000 Rural Cancer Institute 600,000<00:20:27.280><c> Somali</c
• </c><00:37:27.920><c> infrastructure</c> development public infrastructure development public infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I just want to get that on the public record, that your desire, and it sounds like the chair of public
• So, I just want to get that on the public record, that your desire, and it sounds like the chair of public
• </c> repurpose it outside of the institution repurpose it outside of the institution itself. itself.
• </c> to the students and to the institutions to the students and to the institutions to<01:37:52.400>
• </c> at the 990s for the other institutions at the 990s for the other institutions that<01:41:54.880>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, do we have um in support Hawaii Public Health Institute?
• I'm Chris Coughfield from the Hawaii Public Health Institute. We're in support of this measure.
• </c><00:13:22.000><c> We're</c><00:13:22.160><c> in</c> Hawaii Public Health Institute.
• We're in Hawaii Public Health Institute.
• Um, we have the Hawaii Public Health Institute in person.

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, there's serious public safety issues.
• Chair, I move that the amendment of the Public Safety Committee be adopted. Perfect.
• Now, this is a public safety issue.
• There's a mental health issue, and 82% of the public wants something done.
• These support roles are the backbones of this institution.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed Judges Day guests and other visitors, and read a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month. Members also made brief introductions of guests and the doctor of the day, Dr. Philip Williams. The chamber then moved through a long Committee of the Whole agenda, taking up numerous bills with committee and floor amendments, most of them receiving do-pass or due-pass recommendations after brief explanations and some debate. Notable discussion included HB 2444, where several members raised concerns about pharmacist-led care, patient safety, and rural health impacts, while the sponsor argued it would expand affordable access to care; HB 2726, which drew comments about a new sleep apnea device and whether it was a vendor-driven proposal; HB 2991, a bipartisan effort to address social media harms to children; and HB 4070, a bill framed as a “corporate death penalty” approach to combat sex trafficking. Other measures addressed kinship placement in child welfare, midwifery oversight, vulnerable adult protections, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, license plate omnibus language, and county and education-related issues. After the Committee of the Whole reported, the House adopted the report and assigned measures for engrossing. The chamber then proceeded to third reading votes on several bills. HB 2123, dealing with financial institutions and gold/silver legal tender, failed on a 24-28 vote after an excusal request was granted to one member with a financial conflict. HB 2270, concerning county authority and sheriff’s posse dissolution procedures, passed 50-3. HB 2324, creating a state fire marshal-related provision, passed 53-0, as did HB 2404 on mental health services. HB 2495 on sentencing failed 26-27. HB 2557 on patient records passed 37-16, HB 2574 on traffic violation appeals passed 52-0, HB 2594 on domestic relations and address confidentiality passed 44-9, HB 2611 on child welfare passed 51-0, HB 2681 on the county employee merit system passed 53-0, and HB 2697 also passed 51-0. The session continued into additional votes beyond the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• TO THE SIDEWALK AND CONSUMING THAT PRODUCT IN PUBLIC?
• We dedicate public service, we dedicated public service, should choose to leave the decision carries
• GOVERNMENT LIKE ANY INSTITUTION MUST BE WILLING TO EXAMINE ITSELF. A LOT HERE ALSO.
• WE DEDICATE PUBLIC SERVICE, WE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE, SHOULD CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE DECISION CARRYS INFORMATION
• And for the integrity of our institutions and the respect owed to every public servant, I urge a vote

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23. The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, why not just institute that.
• Nick Cuncle from the Louisiana State Law Institute.
• Yes, Nick Cuncle, Louisiana State Law Institute.
• Yes, Nick Cuncle, Louisiana State Law Institute.
• Kunkel with the Law Institute.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The Senate Judiciary A Committee met on May 5, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several measures, including HCR 31, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to study replacing or clarifying the term “foreign” in state law; HB 263, allowing the 14th JDC magistrate judge to handle certain specialty court felony matters; HB 299, clarifying paper filing rules for jury bonds and related payment issues; HB 535, simplifying hospital-based acknowledgments of paternity by removing the two-witness requirement while keeping notarization; HB 571, codifying the 19th JDC’s complex litigation section program; and HB 538, increasing the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court fee cap from $15 to $75 to help offset court costs. The committee also reported HB 215, raising the small succession affidavit threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, and HB 226, adding a 10.1 conference requirement before requests for admissions are deemed admitted, with discussion about discovery fairness and default judgment exceptions. The committee also took up HB 324, which makes judicial stipend increases permanent and adds a 2.7% salary increase for judges effective July 1, 2027; an amendment restoring the second year of the COLA was adopted, and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 1043, raising the jurisdictional amount in Jefferson Parish first and second parish courts, was amended to increase the amount from $35,000 to $50,000 and then reported with amendments. HCR 6, directing the Law Institute to study forced heirship and disinherison issues, was amended to add reporting language and related Civil Code references and then reported with amendments. HB 1006, changing summary judgment deadlines to give opponents more time to respond, was amended and reported by a 3-2 vote after roll call. Two more substantive bills drew extended debate. HB 1239 would strengthen the presumption that parents share physical custody equally unless a court finds that arrangement infeasible or not in the child’s best interest; supporters framed it as a parental-rights measure, while an attorney in opposition warned it would increase litigation, reduce stability for children, and be used as leverage in child support disputes. Despite the opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 190, as amended, would create a duty of reasonable care for certain software/app providers toward minors and require expert testimony, while excluding manufacturers; supporters said it was aimed at protecting children from harmful platform design, but opponents argued the proposal was unnecessary because existing tort law already covers negligence and warned it could create new causes of action and uncertainty over whether software is a “product.” The committee heard testimony from the Louisiana State Law Institute, the sponsor, and outside witnesses, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 190 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The public is always going to be told, Going to be yours, and that's not how it happens, where the public
• It is the public service, the same task.
• It is a public safety monitoring system.
• It is a public safety monitoring system.
• Diversion also advances public safety.

Committee: House Public Safety