Transcript Highlights:

• I have a very rural area so we have 11 counties.
• County of Ventura Water District and Fire Suppression.
• Inventory County it hit specifically in my county supervisorial district that I represented and it hit
• had these problems too many times in the county of Ventura.
• It's it just applies to Ventura County and is supported by all the all the legislators in Ventura County

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County; and there is a flood protection system in Jefferson County.
• but in Bullock County and ODM County as well.
• Jefferson County but in Bullock<00:20:37.600> County<00:20:37.840> and<00:20:37.960>
• and odm County as well Bullock County and odm County as well that<00:20:39.640> is<00:20:39.880
• > I<00:26:23.840> do portion of bullet County and so I do portion of bullet County and

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the Scott County general fund improvements related to this interchange, so our County Road
• <00:04:30.080> here got Lisa Freeze from Scott County here got Lisa Freeze from Scott County
• <00:05:01.520> transportation and I'm the Scott County transportation and I'm the Scott County
• <00:19:20.280> uh lot of local cities and counties uh lot of local cities and counties uh
• Road and then the go down a County Road and then the county<00:32:23.120> road<00:32:23.320><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To honor Parker County, one of the greatest counties in Texas, today is Parker County Day in the Texas
• Parker County was established in 1855.
• HB 3719 by Frank addresses the jurisdiction of County Courts in Wichita County.
• For the Subcommittee on County and Regional Government, HB 3733 relates to the fees charged by county
• on County and Regional Government.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hurley from Collier County. >> Waiving in support.
• Lucie County and Lake County are going to join that list.
• , Okaloosa County, Saint Johns County, Nassau County, Citrus County, Sumter County, Clay County, Wakulla
• County, Dotson County.
• The other road struck back in my county.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the county clerk for the county of Maui, and our concern, as we will echo Mr.
• And thank you very much to Moana Lute with Office of County Clerk, County Maui.
• Clerk County Maui.
• I think we got County Clerk County Maui.
• So no county references to the county. So no county officials.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Different time in Jefferson County?
• schools in Jefferson County. schools in Jefferson County.
• And that Jefferson County.
• he starts his term in Jefferson County. he starts his term in Jefferson County.
• Fayette County. Fayette County.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sixteen counties reference county staff authority to place holds, but do not identify the qualifications
• At least three counties lack 5150 procedures.
• It allows local control for the county, but requires the counties to develop policies and procedures.
• Brenan McCarthy with the California State Association of Counties, also on behalf of the Rural County
• Brennan McCarthy with the California State Association of Counties, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Torrance, Cibola, and Otero counties.
• of Torrance, Cibola, and Otero counties.
• The programming does exist in other counties.
• And what’s special about those three counties?
• Obviously, UNM, but the impetus of that, I mean, I can pull up the utility rates county by county, municipality

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within those counties.
• County.
• All right, and then on slide 15, we've got another Curry County and Bernalillo County.
• And then on slide 16, we've got another Curry County and Bernalillo County and Bernalillo County.
• I think individuals that live in the county at large, 17% are veterans in Catherine County.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm from Polk County. I represent southwest Polk County. I am from Lakeland.
• I started in my county working with Florida A&M because they have a branch pharmacy school in my county
• Again, being a business owner, Collier County and Hendry County continue to have workforce issues.
• It includes West Orange County and parts of Osceola County.
• We also, our county is really great.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Dickey County, Sargent County, they've been sitting on irrigation permits for 20 years, and the Water
• a local presence in every one of the 53 counties.
• So we operate a county partnership model.
• , LaMoure County, Dickey County, and other counties.
• by county, would it be fair to say that then everybody else that is paying property tax in that county

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• or in Merced County.'
• Every county is looking at their own county separate.
• John Kennedy with the Rural County Representatives of California, on behalf of 40 rural counties.
• Kings County community.
• Kings County community.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Dolan from the Small County Coalition. You're recognized. Thank you, sir.
• I represent the Small County Coalition.
• Jeff Scala, Florida Association of Counties. Come on up. You're recognized.
• Thank you, Chairman, and Jeff Scalph, Florida Association of Counties.
• So I thank all of you for giving those cities and counties a voice.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 1221, the Department of Financial Services agency package, was presented as a streamlining and modernization bill covering the My Safe Florida Home Program, unclaimed property, and the state’s new PALM accounting system. Two amendments were adopted: one restoring the current $15 million cap DFS may retain in the unclaimed property trust fund and another making conforming changes to replace references to FLAIR with PALM. The bill was supported by public witnesses and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then heard HB 1291, dealing with the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA). The sponsor explained that the bill was intended to address concerns that NICA could fall below actuarially sound funding in the 2027-2028 fiscal year and that current law lacks clear triggers for funding remedies. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s fiscal impact and preserved a $20 million reserve. NICA representatives spoke in support, and the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up CSHB 1329, which would modernize local government budget transparency by requiring budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, retained online for five years, and made searchable and accessible, while also requiring a 10% budget-cutting exercise before adoption. Local government groups and the CFO’s office discussed costs and suggested that the EDR portal may be a better centralized way to present the data, especially for smaller jurisdictions. Members generally supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about implementation costs; the sponsor said the bill was still being refined. The bill was reported favorably on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no for now. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted submission of the FY 2026-27 budget recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johns County Day at the Capitol.
• Johns County Day at the Capitol.
• Johns County, established in 1821.
• Johns County, and before there was Florida, there was Manatee County.
• John's County, and before there was Florida, there was Manatee County.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Doctors of the Day. Members then offered several gallery introductions and Capitol Day recognitions, including St. Johns County Day, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, AMIkids Day, Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The chamber received and adopted a committee report on 65 executive appointments. Debate focused on the confirmation of Tina Vidal-Douart, with one senator opposing her appointment over concerns about contracts tied to detention facilities and political contributions, while another senator spoke in support based on her assistance during COVID testing efforts. The report was adopted by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units under specified conditions and extends certain density bonus incentives for military families. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578, creating a statewide Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs. Both bills passed 38-0. Appropriations Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying the Senate budget rollout would move to February 12 in committee and February 18 in full appropriations. The Senate then waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• Proposal provides targeted support for underserved counties, as Mr. Gordon referenced.
• Good evening, Breonna Browns with the California County Superintendents.
• In Sacramento County alone, over 4,000 children are waiting for childcare.
• Based owner in the city of Ventura, Ventura County.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have support from Montgomery County, Grimes County, Washington County, and Madison County; those
• We show you registered as Jarvis Parsons, Brazos County, on behalf of the Brazos County District Attorney's
• I have worked for the Brazos County Sheriff's Office for 30 years.
• The Chair calls Calder Lively, Chief Deputy Constable, Brazos County District Attorney.
• I'm representing the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Thank you.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we have had conversations with the county assessor and the association of counties, which, you know
• Of course, not all counties are getting new homes, but we have looked at places like Valencia County
• and Santa Fe County.
• Those are the only counties where this does not work for some portion of the families in any given county
• across the counties.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to give you more context, Collin County had none, and we've been in Tarrant County.
• So Tarrant County... County residents want to know more.
• Caldwell County.
• Now, in Harris County.
• So for Harris County, it's split your file. Harris County is split your file.

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Olivia Cacere, and I'm the public health officer for Sacramento County.
• The county chose to use county funds to extend employment until the end of April to allow the nurses
• So in Sacramento County last year, we had three cases of measles.
• County is a national epicenter for travel, trade, and demographic diversity.
• , Los Angeles County.

Keywords: 988, house, all