Transcript Highlights:

• finally documented that it's close to $400,000 to get a CIA officer through security clearance and training
• actions that we should be pursuing to stop this malign influence, disrupt IP theft and economic and tech

Keywords: national security, intelligence community, Aaron Lucas, Joe Kent, John Eisenberg, China threat, terrorism, collaboration, oversight, intelligence capabilities

Summary: The committee meeting centered around significant discussions regarding national security and intelligence community leadership. Notably, nominees Aaron Lucas for Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Joe Kent for Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Eisenberg for Assistant Attorney General for National Security were introduced. Concerns were raised about the current state of U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly in relation to threats posed by foreign adversaries such as China and ongoing risks from terrorism. The dialogue emphasized the necessity for robust oversight and the importance of collaboration within the intelligence community, as well as with international allies, to ensure effective security measures are in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• With strained budgets, leaving the government unable to effectively deploy tech for those who need it
• red, that's why it's called red. card, you have a red card that lists your qualifications, you're trained

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's tech providing the state share?
• Is it because of a training issue maybe on how to bill? Are we leaving things unbilled?
• Is it because of a training issue maybe on how to bill? Are we leaving things unbilled?
• side showing them or training them how to do that, we don't do that.
• side showing them or training them how to do that, we don't do that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.
• The science and tech committee wasn't even allowed to say climate change last year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said they do have people there, several people that are trained in this um that can do it and that
• in this um that can do it and trained in this um that can do it and that<00:09:42.000> we<00:
• I've been retired for seven years after a 40-year career in high-tech.
• I studied mathematics in high-tech.
• He was first trained in 2021 with the Getting to Y program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The labor criteria requires a skilled and trained workforce and prevailing wage for construction.
• The labor criteria requires skilled and trained workforce and prevailing wage for construction.
• We should build the high-tech and green future we invent here in California.
• They gain hands-on training.
• It's about recognizing the training, service, and sacrifice.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then school board training, row 99, $1.5 million.
• Someone who was trained.
• Individuals who are trained in restraint.
• And some teachers are trained, and some teachers aren't trained.
• And that's part of the reason we're putting in training to ensure that they're trained in things like

Transcript Highlights:

• In-person training is extremely important. I'm all for it.
• Trainings.
• I'm sorry, a recording of training, too? Yep, yeah, training on how to do it.
• I'm sorry, a recording of training, too? Yep, yeah, training on how to do it.
• So here's the thing, they send you the laptop, Training. Yep, yeah, training on how to do it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, when I sent it over to the science and tech, I assumed if they wanted to have a hearing that they
• Well, when I sent it over to the science and tech, I assumed if they wanted to have a hearing that they
• Well, when I sent it over to the science and tech, I assumed if they wanted to have a hearing that they
• out the public from having any input on it as well. >> Well, when I sent it over to the Science and Tech
• professional costs such as training professional costs such as training hours,<01:44:56.000>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're making money, these literal trillion-dollar fortunes are being made by big tech. Right?
• based<00:08:58.600> a<00:08:58.640> lot<00:08:58.920> on<00:08:59.080> tech
• an economy that's based a lot on tech an economy that's based a lot on tech and<00:08:59.800>
• being<00:09:15.480> made<00:09:15.960> by<00:09:16.720> big<00:09:16.960> tech
• are being made by big tech. are being made by big tech. Right?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations on two tax bills: House File 4123, by Representative Agbaje, would expand Minnesota’s net investment income tax to include certain business income, especially income from S corporations and LLCs not subject to federal self-employment taxes, while keeping the current rate and million-dollar threshold; she said it would raise an estimated $88.7 million next year. House File 4616, by Chair Gomez, would impose a 1% annual tax on fortunes above $10 million. Gomez framed the bill as a response to growing wealth inequality and argued that wealthy households and large fortunes should contribute more to public services, while Agbaje said her bill would broaden the tax base and help meet state needs. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, Erica Mominee of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Lauren Richards, and teacher Kristen Sinicariello, said the bills would help address wealth and income inequality and provide needed revenue for public health, education, and other public services. They pointed to federal tax cuts for high-income households, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and strains on state agencies and schools. Richards said small businesses already pay more than large corporations like Amazon, and Sinicariello argued that higher revenue would support classrooms and help equalize opportunity. Opponents, including Brian Cook of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Dalton Danielson of the Minnesota Business Partnership, and John Beschi of NFIB Minnesota, warned that both bills would hurt business competitiveness and investment. They argued that HF 4123 would effectively create a new higher tax tier for pass-through businesses and that HF 4616 would be difficult to administer, could force sales of illiquid assets, and could discourage entrepreneurship and capital investment. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee moved through bill presentations and public testimony before member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but it's there's we have a lot of workforce training already out there.
• of workforce training already out there. of workforce training already out there.
• The first being the East Metro public safety training facility.
• The first being the East Metro public safety training facility.
• <02:20:27.280> facilities and law enforcement training facilities and law enforcement training

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the proper training, let's try and avoid that.
• um you know let's try and avoid training um you know let's try and avoid that<02:06:30.280> let's
• It's only because of the shortage that I believe there's training opportunities underway.
• Leeward Community College, for example, is putting on some additional training.
• <02:08:16.520> I putting on some additional training I putting on some additional training

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to highlight the need for funding to follow the bill so teachers have the resources, training
• in advance of sex ed curriculum being taught, it gives information about the credentials and the training
• But right now for third parties, they have to have the same training and same background, but there's
• This bill brings libraries up to current standards and will be adaptive for future tech as it emerges

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a unique education and service agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained
• A lack of research funding inhibits innovation and hemp-derived materials and tech technologies.
• Jaws of life tools, training, you know, everything a VFD needs to be successful, uh, and you're right
• To continue serving our mission, we must retain a highly trained, skilled workforce of veterinarians

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there training or collaboration between community colleges and our high schools, or the local CSU,
• We not only conduct training through Cash for College, which is really for students and families, but
• we also train college access professionals who aren't counselors.
• Sure, perhaps we won't be able to track the dollar amount, but these tech CEOs will be able to see the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:20:54.840> um<00:20:55.600> paying<00:20:55.840> for<00:20:56.120> training
• in terms of um paying for training in terms of um paying for training paying<00:20:56.919> for
• counties to issue permits and then<00:42:14.319> add<00:42:14.520> in<00:42:14.800> Tech
• amendments and put an then add in Tech amendments and put an effective<00:42:16.800> date<00:
• optimal ongoing um training optimal ongoing um training accountability<01:09:52.799> and<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Federal High Tech Act, medical records are supposed to be provided in electronic format within
• Under the Federal High Tech Act, medical records are supposed to be provided in electronic format within

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. HB 887, reducing medical marijuana registry card fees to $15 for honorably discharged veterans, drew support from veterans’ advocates and cannabis groups as a way to lower a financial barrier to care; it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. HB 733, a Department of Health bill covering medical marijuana treatment center setbacks, physician certification renewals, low-THC/cannabis definitions, emergency license suspension for certain murder-related arrests, dental loan repayment area definitions, Early Steps policy cleanup, and autism microcredential eligibility, received mixed testimony from cannabis advocates who objected to some marijuana-related changes and zoning impacts; it also passed 18-0. HB 259, removing the $1,500 cap on pre-treatment funds held in trust by chiropractic physicians, was described as a free-market change supported by chiropractic groups and passed 18-0. The committee also approved PCS for HB 1443, creating a statewide Parkinson’s Disease Registry within the existing Parkinson’s Disease Research Institute and adding appointments to the consortium board, with USF support and no opposition; it passed 18-0. HB 1445, the related public records exemption for the registry, adopted an amendment adding the required public necessity statement and sunset date of October 2, 2031, then passed 18-0. HB 1309, which would standardize and speed patient access to medical records and align nursing home timelines with federal requirements, drew opposition from an information systems group concerned about data mining and portal access, while supporters argued it would improve patient access and care coordination; it passed 17-1 and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• rules, and those working under a licensed CPA firm engaged by a consumer are all exempt from the C-Tech
• rules, and those working under a licensed CPA firm engaged by a consumer are all exempt from the C-Tech

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several bills, including SB 788 by Senator Niello, which clarified that CPAs and CPA firms, including employees and out-of-state CPAs authorized to practice in California, are regulated by the California Board of Accountancy rather than subject to Tax Preparation Act registration requirements. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative regulation and confusion; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 351 by Senator Cabaldon, aimed at strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules as they relate to private equity and hedge fund involvement in medical and dental practices. The author and physician supporters argued that private equity can interfere with clinical decisions and patient care, while opposition from the American Investment Council said the bill could sweep in legitimate business practices and requested a narrow amendment. The bill passed to Judiciary. SB 312 by Senator Umberg was heard next and would require health certificates for imported dogs sold in California to be submitted to CDFA and made publicly available, with supporters describing it as a transparency and consumer protection measure to combat puppy mills and misleading online sales. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Agriculture. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 291, SB 387, SB 517, SB 602, and SB 773, all moving to their respective committees. The meeting ended after additional roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• from a, uh, up from a D+ in 2021, thanks to major funding upgrades from state initiatives such as Tech
• dot's $100 billion Tech.

Transcript Highlights:

• training service dogs for veterans. training service dogs for veterans.
• While a contractor training program might have some use, it received a huge $200 million appropriation
• While a contractor training program might have some use, it received a huge $200 million appropriation
• While a contractor training program might have some use, it received a huge $200 million appropriation
• I mean, they have no problems with subsidies for big oil, for big tech, for big egg, or big tax cuts

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all