Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that’s how we’re, you know, streamlining permitting to the extent that we do to accommodate those
• with the University of Vermont Medical Center, the Vermont Medical Society, and the Department of Disabilities
• access to peer and community-based supports for patients, and develop recommendations for long-term disability

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House returned to Senate Bill 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction and first took up Representative Charlton’s amendment to extend the interim housing exemptions in tier one areas from 2028 to 2030. Charlton argued the change would better align the exemptions with the state’s 2030 housing targets and give rural communities and smaller developers more realistic time to plan and build. Committee members opposing the amendment said the exemptions would no longer be needed once 1A and 1B areas are established, and Ways and Means reported an unfavorable straw poll. After debate, the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 66-76. During debate, members discussed whether the extension would help or hinder housing production, with supporters emphasizing rural Vermont, achievable timelines, and the need for certainty for developers, while opponents stressed that the temporary exemptions were meant to bridge the transition to the new tier system. The House also heard questions about whether any communities had actually adopted 1A or 1B status yet, and it was noted that future land use maps were not yet complete. The chamber then moved to a second amendment from Representative Dobervich, which would extend certain interim Act 250 exemptions for designated village centers and nearby areas through January 1, 2031, including projects of 50 units or fewer or mixed-income/mixed-use projects meeting specified infrastructure criteria, with municipal bodies able to opt out. Dobervich said the proposal would expand access to the interim exemptions for rural communities that lack permanent zoning or subdivision bylaws but otherwise meet the criteria, helping more towns build housing in already developed areas. Opponents argued the amendment could allow too much development in small towns without local review and questioned how many municipalities would actually qualify. The debate continued with members discussing the relationship between Act 181, the temporary exemptions, and the ongoing work to create future land use maps and tier designations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In practice, that change may actually make it harder to accommodate residents through an internal transfer
• And 27% of these households are elderly or disabled.
• And 27% of these households are elderly or disabled.

Bills: HF4207, HF3639, HF3981, HF3064, HF2123

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• It also makes the Department of Education provide the accommodations for someone with a disability, rather
• It also makes the Department of Education provide the accommodations for someone with a disability, rather

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills. The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0. The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue to report importing skilled labor from Albuquerque at premium rates that include travel and accommodation
• So they're not even able to accommodate working families.
• And it's not full day year-round to accommodate working families.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to activate temporary patient care units to accommodate increased patient volume and patient needs
• There were not great accommodations for the elderly in terms of a high percentage of patients that are
• incident command system in place, we really have a need for flexible and adaptable care spaces to accommodate

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's the method used to calculate these flood maps, which basically don't accommodate current climate
• challenge we face in the coastal areas of the state, in contrast to the Central Valley, is available accommodation
• challenge we face in the coastal areas of the state, in contrast to the Central Valley, is available accommodation

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• airport to accommodate larger aircraft and appropriates monies.
• airport to accommodate larger aircraft and appropriates monies.
• airport to accommodate larger aircraft and appropriates monies.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciated, Prop 98 growth is tied to ADA and state economic factors and will therefore not grow to accommodate

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education held its close-out hearing for the 2026 budget process, with the chair saying the Senate plan fully funds Proposition 98 and continues investments in universal school meals, career education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ student supports, UC/CSU compacts, and community college stability. Public commenters largely supported those priorities, including funding for CalNEW, Dream resource centers, teacher workforce programs, community schools, special education, paid pregnancy leave, and higher education aid, while some urged rejection of proposals they viewed as underfunding Prop 98 or adding non-LEA preschool costs into the guarantee. Others raised concerns about the middle class scholarship cut, CalFresh support for college students, and the need for clearer instructional windows and English learner supports. During member comments, Senator Chao Bogh said many items were supportable but criticized placeholder language, lack of final details, accountability concerns, and some borrowing or mandate structures, including the middle class scholarship, adult learner program, Calbright common cloud platform, paid pregnancy leave, and apprenticeship backfill. The chair responded that the budget reflects major investments in K-12 and higher education, including full Prop 98 funding, elimination of the settle-up amount, middle class scholarship funding, and Dreamers resource centers, and emphasized the importance of supporting students regardless of documentation status. The committee then moved to the vote-only calendar and adopted multiple staff recommendation packages. Part A issues 2-15, 24, 26-42, 44-71, 74-90, and 92-117 were approved unanimously; Part A issue 1 passed with Senator Chao Bogh voting no; and Part A sections 16-23, 25, 43, 72, 73, and 91 were noted as agreed to. In Part B, issues 1-10, 12-24, 25A, 26-27, 29-30, 32-34, 36-44, 48-49, 51-67, and 69 were approved, as were issues 11, 40, and 68, and issues 25B, 28, 31, 35, 45-47, and 50. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with lactation accommodation and lactation support for individuals, I understand that that's one

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we're trying to accommodate very big uncertainty at the federal level, making sure that we

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are a few other shuffles around as some of you have ... ...of you have been willing to accommodate

Keywords: MS House Floor - 7 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a prayer by Representative Varner of Rankin County, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was declared present, and the House dispensed with the reading of the journal. There were no reports from select committees, and no resolutions, petitions, memorials, or other papers were presented. During introductions, Representative Thompson of Lee County introduced Dr. Vernon Rayford of North Mississippi Medical Center as the doctor of the day. Representative McNite of Harrison County recognized court-appointed special advocates from several Mississippi regions in the North Gallery and welcomed them. The clerk announced upcoming committee meetings, including Rules after adjournment, Public Health shortly after adjournment, Education at 2:30, and an Appropriations B budget hearing the next day for several state boards and agencies. Representative Haney of Harrison County invited members to a Gulf Coast delegation reception that evening at Trademark, noting king cakes on members’ desks. The Speaker also said committee assignments for two new members were being finalized and would be announced soon. No bill was taken up on the floor, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the number of witnesses who have registered and to accommodate all those who wish Chairman Metcalfe

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Why do they have to give up their appropriations for disability, uh, to receive any vouchers for
• >> Free and appropriate education. >> Why do they have to give up their appropriations for disability
• ,<01:25:14.480> dyslexia<01:25:15.520> or<01:25:15.760> a of a a disability,
• dyslexia or a of a a disability, dyslexia or a physical<01:25:16.320> issue.
• , whether you have a disability, whether you have a disability, on<04:02:00.560> your<04:02

Keywords: MS House Floor - 15 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval to dispense with the reading of the journal. Members introduced guests from Humphreys County and South Haven, then moved to the calendar and took up House Bill 2, a broad education-related measure. The bill was called up, the rules were suspended, and a committee substitute was adopted. An initial amendment correcting drafting errors in the charter school section and subsection numbering was then adopted without objection. Members then gave extended explanations of HB 2, describing it as a comprehensive school choice and education reform package. Supporters said the bill would create Magnolia student accounts/education savings accounts funded from existing per-pupil dollars, prioritize lower-income families, require testing and financial audits, expand special needs ESAs, and allow public-to-public transfers without a sending district veto. The bill also would expand charter schools into districts with D or F schools, create an accountability dashboard for public and private school reporting, expand the Tim Tebow Act for homeschool extracurricular participation, extend literacy and math requirements through eighth grade, adjust teacher and assistant teacher pay and retirement-related provisions, create a specialized school option program, and require a federal testing waiver. Supporters framed the measure as empowering parents while preserving public schools. During questions, members raised concerns about charter schools, the cost of the program, accountability, and whether the bill would help or harm public education. One member asked whether failing charter schools were addressed; the response was that the bill was aimed at reconstituting the system rather than directly fixing those schools. Another questioned why a child accepted for transfer could still be denied by a receiving district; the bill sponsor said districts would set and publish acceptance policies and could deny students for lack of room. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s scope and policy rationale, and the transcript does not show a final vote on passage of HB 2 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we'll have to accommodate that in the final discussions about overall numbers.
• ><00:08:05.000> we'll<00:08:05.200> have<00:08:05.440> to<00:08:06.080> accommodate
• So, we'll have to accommodate assumed.
• So, we'll have to accommodate that<00:08:07.080> in<00:08:07.240> the<00:08:07.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for accommodating us. I spoke upstairs a little bit earlier.
• Thank you for accommodating<01:07:46.960> us.
• <01:07:47.400> I<01:07:48.160> um accommodating us. I um accommodating us.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: special primary election, redistricting, State Senate districts, federal court ruling, injunction, vacated order, election calendar, 2026 general election, 2026 primary election, runoff election, party nominee, Governor proclamation, Alabama elections, district boundaries, court-ordered redistricting, special election, nomination process, Secretary of State, election law, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• There's only two purposes for the UIC rider: It's public works accommodations and it's safety.
• 20:25.960> It's<00:20:26.160> public<00:20:26.560> works<00:20:26.880> accommodations
• It's public works accommodations writer.
• It's public works accommodations and<00:20:27.840> it's<00:20:28.040> safety.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you'll see corporate restructuring in utilities, which we have already, to accommodate that.
• :54:05.080> to utilities, which we have already, to utilities, which we have already, to accommodate
• accommodate that. accommodate that.

Bills: HB0116, HB0056

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require accommodation, please speak with our sergeant staff identified by the gold ties.
• If<00:00:48.800> you<00:00:49.039> require<00:00:49.440> accommodation,<00:00:50.320
• > please If you require accommodation, please If you require accommodation, please speak<00:00

Bills: HF2358, HF3496, HF3504, HF2169, HF3440

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• at no added cost is if this bill passes and that appropriation is in place, we can go ahead and accommodate
• c><00:51:59.440> go<00:51:59.599> ahead<00:51:59.760> and<00:52:00.000> accommodate
• place, we can go ahead and accommodate place, we can go ahead and accommodate this.<00:52:00.800

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our current law does nothing to accommodate the physical and psychological safety of women and girls.
• nothing<00:43:27.280> to Our current law does nothing to Our current law does nothing to accommodate
• <00:43:28.000> the<00:43:28.240> physical<00:43:28.640> and accommodate the physical
• and accommodate the physical and psychological<00:43:29.599> safety<00:43:30.480> of<00

Keywords: 1189, house, all