Transcript Highlights:

• Johnny Pena, with the League of California Cities, in respectful opposition. Thank you.
• I was a city council member for almost 10 years as well, and we need to protect those who serve our cities
• I was a city council member for almost 10 years as well that we need to protect those who serve our cities
• Yes, Madam Chair Members, Julian Navaris on behalf of the League, California, City.
• Kira Ross, on behalf of the City of Glendale, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Social Security Law in relation to the determination of salary base for members of the New York City
• The committee director will read the title: An act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New
• Social Security Law in relation to the restoration of 20-year service and time for certain New York City
• All those of the code say nay. Can I have a readout of the bill?
• Police suspension. ...of prior service with certain agencies by the New York City Police Pension Fund

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on March 10, 2026, with a quorum present and 11 bills on the agenda. The committee chair noted that all measures were recommended to be referred to the Finance Committee. The bills largely concerned retirement and pension-related changes for public employees, including increased military service credit, retirement rules for 911 operators and dispatchers, salary base determinations for NYC police pension members, retired firefighters serving as fire science instructors, borrowing from accumulated contributions for certain NYC correction members, a cost-of-living-related benefit for Verrazzano Bridge toll employees, restoration of 20-year service credit for certain NYC correction officers and sanitation workers, death benefits for Orange County correction personnel, pension benefits for fire marshals with service beyond 25 years, prior service treatment for NYC Police Pension Fund members, and death benefits for certain retirement system beneficiaries. Members moved each bill without substantive debate, and each received unanimous support in the recorded vote tally of seven ayes, zero nays, and zero AWRs. Several bills were sponsored by Senator Jackson, who also participated in the motions on those measures. Senator Cooney arrived during the meeting and joined the committee proceedings. No opposition or amendments were recorded. At the conclusion of the agenda, all 11 bills were reported to the Finance Committee, and the chair adjourned the meeting after noting the completion of the committee’s third meeting of the 26th legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• "You run to the west of Headland is Midland City. Wallace College is in Midland City.
• "You run to the west of Headland is Midland City. Wallace College is in Midland City.
• Wallace uh college is in Midland City. Wallace uh college is in Midland<01:22:03.199><c> City.
• Then it adds another code section, and that additional code section establishes a private cause of action
• Then it adds another code section, and that additional code section establishes a private cause of action

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the city of Berkeley is entering, or if the city of Oakland is entering into such an agreement
• It's on city-owned land.
• But they have to build to the highest fire standards already because that's what the code—the new code—no
• However, given that the city burden on the city, I'm not sure how much time they will have to spend to
• So that is in Water Code Section 10912.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This means that our tax code is tied to the version of the Internal Revenue Code as amended through a
• Revenue Code as amended through a Revenue Code as amended through a particular<00:09:53.360><c> date.
• There are the Internal Revenue Code.
• </c> definitions in the Internal Revenue Code definitions in the Internal Revenue Code are<00:11:26.880
• </c> code. Okay, let's uh move forward here. code. Okay, let's uh move forward here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know when I drive through the city and St.
• I’ve heard that a couple of times for the QR code.
• Just the QR code.
• Just the QR code.
• For the QR code? So if it's a QR code, For the QR code?

Bills: HB309, HB487, HB503, HB590, HB606, HB679, HB693, HB695, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB746, HB777, HB846, HB849, HB856, HB868, HB873, HB875

Keywords: pedestrian safety, cellphone usage, crosswalk regulations, traffic laws, distracted walking, red light, traffic signal, traffic-control signals, traffic violation, traffic safety, road rage, shoulder lane, turn lane, passing stopped vehicle, overtaking at intersection, intersection safety, motor vehicle, driver fine, citation, Louisiana traffic law

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Except back in the old days when the whole city would burn down because of no building codes.
• Many stakeholders ensure that this code protects...
• the building code, we really use standards to assist us, but our code is the minimum for the state.
• But that's where I just separate a standard from the code.
• as well as defensible space codes.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation held an oversight hearing on home hardening and defensible space as wildfire mitigation strategies. The chair opened by stressing that California has reached a tipping point, with repeated community-scale wildfire losses, rising insurance costs, and growing utility wildfire mitigation expenses. The hearing was organized around four panels: what home hardening and defensible space are, community risk reduction and coordination, evaluation of current defensible space programs and proposed investments, and the future of home hardening and the California Wildfire Mitigation Program. The first panel featured IBHS, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and local wildfire mitigation advocates. IBHS described wildfire spread through embers, flames, and radiant heat, emphasizing that structure separation, removing combustible materials within the first five feet of a home, and combining multiple mitigation measures significantly reduce loss. It highlighted its Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood standards, including an “essential” and “enhanced” level, and said California is ahead of other states but still needs scalable, standardized, and sustainably funded mitigation. The LAO outlined key policy questions for the Legislature, including the state’s role, intergovernmental coordination, cost-effectiveness, program design, measurement of success, long-term sustainability, and barriers to implementation. The chair and panelists discussed estimated costs, including roughly $15,000 for a basic retrofit and about $50,000 for more extensive ignition-resistant construction, and whether state funding should focus on the most cost-effective initial measures. The second panel focused on scaling adoption through local coordination, education, financing, and community-based programs. Megafire Action argued that home hardening is a market adoption problem and said the state should not try to pay for every home, but instead target high-leverage interventions across the “customer journey,” including education, financing, trusted certification, and neighborhood network effects. Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council described free home assessments, small retrofit grants, Firewise community support, and the importance of neighborhood-level action, local capacity, and cultural change. Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority described its locally funded model, grant program, public education efforts, and an Ember Ready program that helps residents navigate home hardening and Zone Zero compliance. The chair repeatedly emphasized the need for a coordinated statewide marketing campaign, stronger incentives, better insurance discounts, and more use of local, utility, federal, and private funding sources. The third and fourth panels addressed Cal Fire’s defensible space inspection program, the proposed defensible space financial assistance program, and broader state investments. Cal Fire said homes lacking compliant defensible space are far more likely to be damaged or destroyed and requested ongoing funding and staffing to stabilize inspections statewide; the LAO suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as GGRF or a reinstated SRA fee. Cal Fire and the State Fire Marshal explained that Zone Zero sets a minimum standard, local governments cannot go below it, and grant prioritization will favor jurisdictions that submit inspections. Cal Fire also said the new defensible space financial assistance program would focus on ember-resistant zone-zero work and, in the Southern California counties covered by the legislation, would assist about 3,125 homes at an estimated $8,000 per home. In the final panel, the State Fire Marshal described California’s layered strategy of parcel-level home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, along with technical support, financial assistance, and incentives such as insurance discounts and builder marketing. The overall theme was that California must move from isolated efforts to a coordinated, science-based, and scalable statewide approach to reduce wildfire losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• by city, county by county, and region by region.
• Cities across California have mural festivals, as we do.
• Amy Brown, on behalf of the City of Riverside, in support.
• Patrick Foy, with the City of Escondido, in support.
• of Mountain View, Redwood City, Thousand Oaks, Belmont, El Cerrito, and Foster City, all in support.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am city manager of the great city of Seminole.
• We're a full-service city.
• Would you have survived as a city?
• But not every city in the state, not every county in this state, But not every city in the state, not
• Lucy, thank you for being here, is a wonderful city. That is a homesteaded city.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities across California...
• In Sacramento, a 500,000-plus city, roughly only 5 to 10 code officers are responsible for overseeing
• This is why cities need the state's help now.
• This is why cities need your help now.
• My name is Jerica Code, and I'm a long-time...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an audit that JALAC approved in 2024, where the city disputes our authority to conduct the audit.
• If you look up the phrase fusion center in the California Code, it does not come up.
• exist in each of California's major cities.
• There have been no complaints alleging violations of the Public Contract Code.
• Are you going to have a city council whose decision you don't like?

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• level and know how many kinds of hate crimes are happening in each ZIP code in L.A.
• level and know how many kinds of hate crimes are happening in each ZIP code in L.A.
• And we've actually drilled down into certain zip codes where we are working directly with that zip code
• We cover the unincorporated areas and I think 42 of the 88 cities in the county.
• And those are the challenges we're still having with the city.

Summary: The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses. Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting. Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting. No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regular standard land use laws and local ordinances and local land development codes would apply.
• This wouldn't give... ...laws and local ordinances and local land development codes would apply.
• And, you know, we just can't have that, especially in our cities. So I'm committed to Rep.
• Jared Willis from Better Tomorrow Treatment... in our cities. So I'm committed to Rep.
• We have Daphne Sainville from the City of Fort Lauderdale, waving in opposition.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met with a full agenda and reported all measures favorably. The committee first heard HB 1327, which would codify the Hope Florida program in state law, and HB 1329, the related public-records exemption for Hope Florida participants; both bills drew questions about oversight, duplication of services, staffing, and data privacy, and both passed 17-0 after an amendment to HB 1329. The committee then approved HB 391, allowing certified batterers intervention programs to include optional faith-based content while remaining grounded in required therapeutic models; an amendment clarified that participation in faith-based components must be strictly voluntary. Supporters argued the bill restores choice and access, while opponents raised concerns about church-state separation and uneven availability of secular alternatives; the bill passed 17-0. Members also advanced HB 1065, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs, with broad support from members who shared personal experiences and emphasized early detection and public education. HB 1163, dealing with recovery residences, passed 12-5 after debate over local zoning authority, home rule, and whether the bill would help or hinder placement of level four recovery homes near urban cores. Several members said they supported recovery housing in principle but wanted more clarity on task force findings and local impacts before fully backing the measure. The committee next approved HB 969, which shifts evaluation of school district mental health assistance programs to OPAGA and requires reports on outcomes and effectiveness; members stressed the need to know whether substantial mental health funding is improving student outcomes. HB 1191, which decriminalizes allowing children to travel to school, play outdoors, or stay home for reasonable periods and codifies current DCF policy, passed 16-0 with support framed around parental rights and child development. Finally, HB 1207, the Tristan Murphy Act, passed 15-0 and would expand mental health diversion and treatment options, including training for first responders, a forensic hospital diversion pilot, a behavioral health data repository, and additional evaluation requirements before inmate work assignments. The meeting adjourned after all agenda bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so code compliance is one.
• How much of an issue is code compliance really when codes change and you're starting to do the major
• How much of an issue is code compliance really when codes change and you're starting to do the major
• So, that fell under the definition of code. What we see sometimes is the fire system codes.
• So, that fell under the definition of code. What we see sometimes is the fire system codes.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually get paid through a code when it was set up, and their salary schedule was put in the code
• Municipal clerks, especially in small cities or towns, are asked to wear many hats.
• A lot of our larger cities in the state already... ...our larger cities in the state already post this
• However, a lot of our smaller cities do not have a website.
• Mandating all cities to post this information online does not account for local context.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was brought to us by the city of Lancaster in my district.
• Cities and counties are having to do it on their own dime.
• I'm Mayor Dave Bradley of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
• Like the Assemblymember said, we have a major issue in my city.
• Muranya and I'm Rancho Palos Verde City Manager.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It comes from the Wilmington City Council.
• Wilmington City Council put this together almost immediately after Senator Sokola's announcement, and
• they're so insistent that we get on the record how the City of Wilmington feels about Dave's legacy.
• An act to amend Title 4 and Title 16 of the Delaware Code relating to alcohol and marijuana.
• relating to the Veterinar Code relating to the Veterinar Code, relating to the Veterinarian and Mandatory

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there will be no interest charged to our cities and counties until they get FEMA reimbursement.
• </c><00:18:58.400><c> and</c> in a 12% interest rate to cities and in a 12% interest rate to cities and
• </c><00:19:21.640><c> and</c> this legislation to these cities and this legislation to these cities and
• We believe that 1% is proper for the people of Mississippi and the cities and counties.
• </c> Association Code of Ethics. Association Code of Ethics.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said this is a problem for him in his city, and they confirmed that it is a serious problem.
• described a father in the middle of an ugly divorce who took his little girl to another state and city
• , and county-city roads.
• I don't know if MoDOT does it biannually; I believe that's what the code says.
• When you’re driving through a city that you’re not familiar with, you know, say Chattanooga now.”

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the city administrator for the city of Hugo.
• ><c> Metro</c><00:04:29.280><c> cities</c> and Metro cities and Metro cities thank<00:04:30.440><c> you
• cities so for cities different types of cities so for cities of<00:40:31.280><c> the</c><00:40:31.440
• ><c> in</c> is other cities in the any other city in is other cities in the any other city in the<00:
• I'm the city manager for the City of Prior Lake.

Keywords: 1183, house