Transcript Highlights:

• levels comparable to ophthalmology residency training.
• We have a doctorate level training. Thank you very much.
• For this bill, we are looking at what's called a foreign trained or international trained physician This
• They have substantially similar training to the U.S.
• I trained at UNM.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:17:32.400> review seize children without judicial review seize children without judicial
• So, if there's truly a danger, I think there needs to be judicial oversight.
• So, if there's truly a danger, I think there needs to be judicial oversight.
• So, if there's truly a danger, I think there needs to be judicial oversight.
• <02:14:52.159> bypass child uh can can get a judicial bypass child uh can can get a judicial

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• executive department or the judicial executive department or the judicial branch<01:18:14.960>
• And so we have staff that are dedicated to providing that training on an ongoing basis.
• trained at an expert level to safely manage hazardous waste at their companies.
• And so we have staff that are dedicated to providing that training on an ongoing basis.
• trained at an expert level to safely manage hazardous waste at their companies.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:16:49.599> apprenticeships pay for skills training apprenticeships pay for skills training
• As a doctor, I'm a trained listener. As a lawyer, I'm a trained advocate.
• As a doctor, I'm a trained listener. As a lawyer, I'm a trained advocate.
• As a doctor, I'm a trained listener. As a lawyer, I'm a trained advocate.
• International judicial International judicial body<07:51:14.878> this<07:51:15.040> week

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for disabled people and, in other areas, is just abdicating our legislative responsibility to the judicial
• <00:19:04.160> So,<00:19:04.280> members,<00:19:04.640> I'll the judicial branch
• So, members, I'll the judicial branch.
• I worry that what we are doing instead is opening up the door for the judicial branch to step into what
• branch to step into what should judicial branch to step into what should be<00:35:08.720> our

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took Senate File 3210 off the table and then adopted an amendment from Representative Nadeau that added the word “reasonable” and a statutory reference clarifying who qualifies as a person with a disability. The bill, as amended, was then given third reading. The measure is described as relating to human rights and disability accommodations as protection from discrimination. Representative Hicks, the bill’s author, said the proposal is intended to send a clear message that discrimination against people with disabilities is unlawful and that entities must engage in a good-faith process to identify reasonable accommodations. Supporters, including Representatives Finke, Feist, and Luetkemeyer, argued the bill reinforces existing law, reflects the interactive process already used in practice, and helps protect access in employment, public accommodations, schools, and other settings. Hicks also responded to questions from Representative Joy by describing the process as a simple conversation to meet a person’s needs. Representative Niska opposed the bill, arguing that it is unclear whether it changes the meaning of other provisions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act beyond employment and that it could create ambiguity and more litigation for businesses, schools, and public entities. He said the legislature should be explicit if it intends to change those provisions and warned the bill could invite lawsuits rather than provide clarity. Representative Loegering-Nicolai responded that the bill would change the practice of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and that referencing the interactive process in public policy would provide a lens for assessing whether accommodations were handled in good faith. No final vote on passage was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows judicial assessments, or our conviction assessments, on all misdemeanors of $25 and
• This bill allows judicial assessments, or our conviction assessments, on all misdemeanors of $25 and
• 00:12:01.040> This<00:12:01.280> bill<00:12:01.520> allows<00:12:02.600> judicial
• This bill allows judicial >> Thank you.
• This bill allows judicial assessments, assessments, assessments, or<00:12:04.840> our<00:12:04.920

Keywords: MS House Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, dispensed with reading of the journal, and received no reports from select committees or resolutions. Members then recognized several guests, including the JPS Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team, which was congratulated for its performance in the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial competition, along with Gayla Carver Sanders and Judge Crystal Wise Martin. The chamber then took up a series of local and county bills on the calendar, all of which were advanced by the usual motions and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. House Bill 4080 authorized Jackson County to contribute $5,000 to the Junior Auxiliary program; HB 4110 created a trust fund for Oktibbeha County related to the sale of medical property; HB 4111 and HB 4135 authorized conviction assessments in Perry County and Waynesboro, respectively, for justice court building maintenance; HB 4115 extended a Hattiesburg lease to 30 years; HB 4130 created the Yazoo County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, with an amendment changing “partnership” to “alliance”; and HB 4134 created an industrial zone emergency response district for Lowndes County. Each bill passed with little or no debate, with vote totals ranging from 115 to 119 yeas and zero nays. After the bills, the Clerk reported no announcements, and members made several notices, including a Capitol Prayer Group meeting, BEAM office hours for broadband grant information, and a joint Public Utilities/Senate Energy hearing on the MSWiNS system. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress should clarify the standard for substantially prevailing to mean whenever an agency is judicially
• Now, along with Judicial Watch and a conglomerate of media entities, we have sued the Department of Justice
• general practice of the federal government to turn what should be an administrative process into a judicial
• very important question and one that the judiciary would quite appreciate because it's terrible for judicial
• That's what we've done generally with Alternative Dispute Resolution in the judicial process because

Transcript Highlights:

• Every new judge has to make that transition at the start of their judicial career.
• In terms of what you view your inherent judicial powers as, what can you do?
• And she doesn't see this judicial And she doesn't see this judicial appointment<00:36:43.120>
• a part of, Access to Justice, Judicial a part of, Access to Justice, Judicial Administration<00:
• Um Okay, moving on to Judicial Communication 25.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment leaves no room for judicial interpretation as to what the definition of appeal might be
• leaves no room for judicial leaves no room for judicial interpretation<00:22:31.600> as<00
• Finally, mandatory minimums strip the judicial branch of its discretion.
• <05:53:05.360> All judicial branch of its discretion.
• All judicial branch of its discretion.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at any rate, just wanted to comment that we should be judicious. ...and make sure we're addressing
• unnecessary alarm, negative impacts to economic development, and the risk of undervaluing highly trained
• We do training and technical assistance for over 900 of our members, mostly small systems.
• We do training at 10. I'm Vice President of Missouri Water Association.
• We do training at technical assistance for over 900 of our members, mostly small systems.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 953, which the chair described as protecting environmental funds and, through a committee substitute, adding provisions from House Bill 1885 and Senate Bill 1397. Members discussed changes to the Clean Water Commission conflict-of-interest rules and a water-storage/right-to-return-flows provision for Corps of Engineers reservoirs. The committee also adopted an amendment from House Bill 1376 that would exempt certain agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural stormwater discharges from permitting requirements, prompting debate over potential effects on accountability and future litigation. After roll call, the committee voted 6-5-1 to report the House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 953 do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a plastic waste reduction bill for Missouri state parks and historic sites. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would phase out certain single-use plastics in parks, including Styrofoam, plastic bags, and plastic water bottles, while allowing exceptions where needed. Supporters included environmental advocates, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition, and Missouri beverage industry representatives who emphasized litter reduction, microplastics, tourism impacts, and the need for reasonable alternatives. Some members raised concerns about disability access and the need for substitutes such as bendy straws or reusable containers, but the hearing concluded without opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act. The sponsor said the bill would require DNR to assign A-F grades to community water systems based on compliance, finances, operations, and infrastructure, post the grades publicly, and impose stronger oversight on systems graded D or F, including limits on new debt and restrictions on using water revenues for unrelated purposes. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help communities understand system problems earlier, while opponents from municipal utilities and water associations argued that current consumer confidence reports already provide the information, that a single letter grade oversimplifies a technical field, and that the bill could create confusion or unfairly damage trust. The committee heard both support and opposition, plus informational testimony, and then adjourned without taking final action on HB 3320.

Transcript Highlights:

• My additional training was in hematology and oncology. marrow stem cell transplantation.
• in 2005, and I served on the Minnesota Supreme Court's at-large commission role of the Minnesota Judicial
• Allowing LPNs to work to the top of their scope and training allows RNs in assisted living facilities
• to focus on the tasks and cares needed within their own scope and training.
• LPNs are trained, licensed health professionals who have the ability to conduct these assessments.

Transcript Highlights:

• we met up afterwards, he said, well, you know, after that first one, I decided that I was going to train
• The problem is, is 20 years on the couch, you don't realize that you actually have to train.
• They allow even for job training.
• So I’m going to be slowing this train down a little bit, so I’m clear.
• So I’m going to be slowing this train down a little bit, so I’m clear.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The training, those that come in, FBI, the jurisdictions, the barriers, the...
• Our fighter pilots go through what is called UPT, undergraduate pilot training.
• And that training for those pilots and other airmen that come to Holloman, I've talked to some of them
• They went away to train in their residencies to the best training they could find in the country.
• requirements and removing certain in-service public safety telecommunicator training requirements.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we'll be more direct and concise with the answers, and if we'll try to be prompt and judicious
• So if we'll be more direct and concise with the answers, and if we'll try to be prompt and judicious
• And we have, quite frankly, in the judicial system, a lot of judges that have been around a long time
• For 45 years, RCA has provided technical assistance, capacity building, training, and finance to small

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday we heard testimony about the salaries of attorneys who work in the judicial branch.
• **Chair**: Yesterday we heard testimony about the salaries of attorneys who work in the judicial branch
• Yesterday we heard from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and Chair Huffman directed the director
• Yesterday we heard from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and Chair Huffman directed the director
• Webster**, because the problems that **Senator Zafirini** mentioned on the Judicial Conduct Commission

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Younger generations, when I used to train FOIA, when you told them you had to ask somebody for something
• Public bodies need to address training gaps.
• We're already implementing updated training in Fairfax County.
• That’s something we’ve implemented in our training.
• So with that, let’s move on to judicial updates. Mr. Underwood. Thank you for having me.

Keywords: Freedom of Information Advisory Council, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their results management team, and these individuals are trained to look for new patterns and anomalies
• We need to look at mandatory trainings for all providers, anti-fraud trainings.
• Why didn't we fund counties to provide these services to have more trained, licensed social workers provide
• The state agency has reviewed all allegations, facts, and evidence carefully and acts judiciously on
• For PCA, we require people to be bonded, we require mandatory training in statute, and we require a qualified

Transcript Highlights:

• be hearing Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 85, and then we're going to have a little confirmation training
• We will work out this confirmation training as we go, so if this is not an effective approach, I am absolutely
• The judicial nominating process is run like this, and it's just a very good mechanism to get local people
• that's okay, and I'll just note, because we need to save time at the end of our meeting for this training
• All right, so now we are going to try out this training session for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• An annual report from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board regarding its 2025 annual
• An annual report from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board regarding its 2025 annual
• An annual report from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board regarding its 2025 annual

Summary: The House convened at noon with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to routine legislative business. The Transportation Committee reported House Bill 2227 and Senate Bill 1377, and the Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 1434, House Bill 2273, Senate Bill 45, Senate Bill 111, Senate Bill 1235, and Senate Bill 1259, with several bills reported as amended. The House also received multiple bill referrals, including Senate Bill 482 to Aging and Older Adult Services; House Bills 2672 and 2674 to other committees; several Senate bills to Judiciary; and House Resolution 581 to Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness. The chamber received a series of reports, including a Joint State Government Commission report on recruitment and retention challenges for police, corrections, and prosecutors, along with annual reports from the Pennsylvania Island Trade Commission, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the General Building Contractors Association, the Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania, the Judicial Conduct Board, and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. The House also received notice that the Senate had passed House Bill 1667 with amendment and requested concurrence. On motions from the Majority Leader, House Bill 2460 was recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations, and House Bills 2146, Senate Bills 971, 972, and 1259, along with House Resolutions 165 and 462, were removed from the tabled calendar and placed on the active calendar. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and stood adjourned until Saturday, June 27, 2026, at noon, unless sooner recalled by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we also have CCTR contractors who are working to recruit and train new staff, engage in
• It's about really shifting, hiring, training staff to be able to do this work. ...shifting, hiring, training
• In terms of the overview of the program for the Child Welfare Training...
• How do we bring in attorneys from the private bar, pro bono, anything to train people?
• It allows for legal deserts like the Central Valley to train up attorneys, train up individuals that

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.