Transcript Highlights:

• and 18-year-olds.
• For example, one year of Roca programming costs 77% less than the average stay in a Massachusetts House
• In three years, our programming is 19 times less expensive than the average DOC prison time.
• year alone.
• At 18 years old, I received a 25- to 40-year sentence, five 12- to 20-year sentences, two 7- to 10-year

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}

Transcript Highlights:

• Diversion classes and programs and therapy, so that they get that help and they don't end up with years
• His family only learned the truth years later.
• Families in Riverside County wait over a year for autopsy reports, only to later learn the truth does
• Families in Riverside County wait over a year for autopsy reports, only to later learn the truth does
• Well, that's better than 15 years or 10 years or five years.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of public safety bills. Early announcements covered consent calendar items, a pulled bill (SB 906), testimony limits, and a recess for lunch. Several measures were heard in special order and file order, with votes deferred until quorum was established. The committee also accepted or discussed amendments on multiple bills during presentation. SB 1446, by the committee, would change parole en banc review procedures by giving commissioners more discretion, making en banc votes public, and allowing CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluations in certain cases. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association, while opposition came from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender and youth justice groups, who argued it would add confusion, raise constitutional concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278, by Senator Nilo, would exclude certain sex offenses from elderly parole eligibility; the author and district attorney supporters cited high-profile cases and victim trauma, while opponents said the current process is already rigorous, low-risk, and evidence-based. SB 1354, by Senator Archuleta, would prohibit out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission; the committee amendment removed a criminal penalty, and the bill drew support from the California Public Defenders Association and allied groups, with no opposition heard. SB 926, by Senator Strickland, would fund implementation of Proposition 36 through a public safety services support fund; supporters said local agencies need resources for treatment, probation, and accountability, while opponents argued the bill was fiscally reckless, lacked guardrails, and prioritized incarceration over community-based treatment. The chair and author discussed amendments removing a fixed appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process. SB 874, by Senator Weber Pearsons, would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services, by requiring background checks for certain unlicensed providers, creating a stakeholder workgroup, and directing DHCS to issue guidance and report to the Legislature. Supporters said the bill would improve patient safety and program integrity, and no opposition testified. SB 1210, also by Senator Weber Pearsons, would extend CalGang oversight and due-process protections to local gang databases; supporters described privacy harms and inaccurate labeling, while law enforcement opposition said local investigative databases need flexibility and that the bill could significantly expand regulation. SB 1019, by Senator Grove, would create a California Cargo Thief Task Force in the Attorney General’s Office to combat organized cargo theft; it drew broad support from rail, trucking, shipping, and port interests, with testimony describing organized, dangerous theft rings and supply-chain disruption, and no opposition was heard. SB 1217, the non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse bill, was introduced at the end of the transcript after committee and privacy amendments were summarized, but its testimony and any action were not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• the last two years, was the meat processing intermediate loan program.
• the last two years, was the meat processing intermediate loan program.
• the last two years, was the meat processing intermediate loan program.
• Even at The Food Group, we had a new program we were really excited about bringing first-year farmers
• c> nonprofits is year-to year we do our nonprofits is year-to year we do our best<01:43:05.480> we

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are at the very beginning of fiscal year 26. But we're in calendar year 2025, quarter 3.
• We receive a five-year schedule of what the out year and projections are.
• The goals of the program are many.
• We have worked for the past year, and when I say the past year, the Measurement and Verification Program
• Another question that came up was, why were we proposing a three-year versus a one-year?

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the the longest um 20 years.
• <00:09:49.440> This steal from our public programs. This steal from our public programs.
• fraud um on fraud on public programs. fraud um on fraud on public programs.
• ><00:36:36.320> went<00:36:36.480> out<00:36:36.640> like year. in that one year
• be able to be in the Medicaid program. be able to be in the Medicaid program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So many of our farmers, Black, brown, whether you've been here for five years, 50 years, 500 years, over
• And last year, of course, a programs.
• Uh last year they allocated 13 program.
• for multiple years. for multiple years.
• Dairies year-round.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million in fiscal year 28 and 29 to<00:03:48.480> enhance<00:03:49.040> program<00:03:
• The program was developed in the 1990s, over 30 years ago, and has more than 10,000 users.
• The program was developed in the 1990s, over 30 years ago, and has more than 10,000 users.
• The program was developed in the 1990s, over 30 years ago, and has more than 10,000 users.
• Second, it expands the 10% addition to monthly payments available for early care and learning programs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a year-long learning program designed to engage students and prepare them for professional roles
• Last year, I talked about the death of my own brother last year due to this.
• The continual cycle of keeping young people on probation for years and years and years on end just because
• We're up to 25 years old now.
• Felonies, generally speaking. two years.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on Beacon Hill and in the Senate Chamber every year, it's when we get to know and learn about what's
• on Beacon Hill and in the Senate Chamber every year, it's when we get to know and learn about what's
• I returned for three more years.
• America will celebrate 250 years in 2026.
• There were 9,389 11- to 18-year-old boys and girls who participated in the Scouts BSA program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate held an informal session centered on its annual scouting recognition program, led by Senator Tarr and other Senate leaders. Scouts from several Massachusetts councils recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law, and the chamber heard a report on Scouting America in Massachusetts from Eagle Scout Molly Murphy of Woburn, assisted by other scouts and flag bearers from across the Commonwealth. Murphy described her own scouting experience, leadership roles, Eagle Scout project, and the challenges and benefits of scouting, emphasizing leadership, service, and community impact. Murphy also presented statewide scouting statistics for 2025, including 19,761 youth in 872 units, 9,402 adult volunteers, more than 23,500 merit badges earned, 482 Eagle Scouts, and over 203,000 hours of community service valued at more than $3 million. The Senate voted to print the scouting report in the Journal. Senators then read and presented a gubernatorial proclamation declaring April 23, 2026, as Scout Appreciation Day in Massachusetts, citing scouting’s service, character-building, and conservation values. In addition to the scouting program, the Senate transacted several routine matters. It passed to be enacted two local bills: one authorizing Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption and another further regulating the appointment of a special police officer in Malden. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the IBS patient support group for recognizing April 19, 2026, as World IBS Day, and it engrossed a bill allowing retired police officers to serve as special police officers in Fairhaven after adopting an amendment, as well as a bill increasing the Haverhill Board of Health from three to five members. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Somebody with a five-year sentence, they served two years incarcerated, and they got three. years a good
• In addition to the technical training program We offer literacy programs, high school diploma programs
• There's a program, it's a multi-disciplinary program.
• The remaining four are in year two. of two-year base contracts with three one-year options available.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A year after year, Anderson Chair Andrade yes, Black.
• And, you know, I'm glad he's back again this year and I'm looking for unanimous vote this year.
• the next 5 years.
• Since 2008 first year.
• And and last year in 20, 2502 psychiatrists applied for loan forgiveness through the state's frame program

Transcript Highlights:

• So, again, I say that to say, learning that in my two and a half years on the CILB, I'm kind of bringing
• So we made those two topics the key foci of that program, the GAN program.
• So in the 100-year, maybe, let's just say 100-year world, if you're going to...
• I spent 14 years. There is a lot to learn.
• Nine years. Mr.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider a large slate of gubernatorial appointees, with 127 nominees on the agenda. The committee first approved the grouped nominees in Tabs 1 through 54 by unanimous roll call vote after brief public testimony in support of several appointees. The committee then took up individual University of West Florida and Pensacola State College-related nominations, including noting that Dr. Joel Rudman had resigned from the Pensacola State College board before appearing, leaving no action to take on that tab. Several UWF trustees were confirmed after testimony focused on their qualifications and priorities for the university. Paul Bailey emphasized his local ties, legal background, and interest in UWF’s military connections and pre-law program; Rebecca Matthews highlighted her education and public service background, current role as UWF board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Rachel Moyah discussed her education leadership experience, finance role, and positive enrollment and fundraising trends; Ashley Ross described her fundraising and higher education background and stressed workforce, advancement, cyber, and military partnerships; and Christopher Young spoke about his Panhandle roots, business experience, audit and compliance work, and support for military and student opportunity. Each of these nominees was confirmed by roll call and forwarded to the full Senate. The most contentious nomination was Adam Kissel for the UWF Board of Trustees. Kissel described his background in higher education policy, free speech, philanthropy, and federal education work, and said he would focus on free speech, accreditation, military/veteran support, honors programming, and graduation rates. Committee members questioned him closely about prior writings on privatizing public higher education, his views on free speech versus Senate Bill 266, Project 2025, AI in administration, and his fit for UWF. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials and reform views, while opponents, including former UWF leaders, warned he was too ideological and not sufficiently grounded in the university community. After debate, the committee voted 5-4 not to confirm Kissel, so his name will not be forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• pilot program within available appropriations and then were able to, in later years, figure out how
• pilot program within available appropriations and then were able to, in later years, figure out how
• pilot program within available appropriations and then were able to, in later years, figure out how
• Like the five-year total? Total five? Oh, total five-year.
• startup year?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can talk about really the important pieces of this program—young kids having access to learning how
• of young kids having access this program of young kids having access to<00:07:13.319> learning
• So what funded the program for the last three years?
• Paul, for 27 years.
• teacher for nine years.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In those six years, I've learned many things through audio and video recording.
• learned<00:14:32.880> many those six years, I've learned many those six years, I've learned
• I'm thinking back to the elementary years for my child who had a learning challenge who uh there was
• I'm thinking back to the elementary years for my child who had a learning challenge who uh there was
• Is it some programs? Is it So program? Is it some programs?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• office, or programs at various universities like UC Davis, where kids learn, live, work, and learn independently
• My son is 32 years old.
• Twenty-six years ago, she founded the Early Learning Institute in Sonoma County, and she dedicated her
• Polanco fellow, close to 20 years ago, a program that Johnny made a commitment to invest in while working
• the program.

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• year.
• like experiential and law programs like experiential and applied<00:27:45.919> learning<00:27
• to year?
• to year?
• to year?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them we were able to accomplish last year and some we were not.
• It's a huge component of our budget every year.
• , which must be updated at least once every four years.
• But we learned something with each one.
• You know, there's just so many lessons learned that come from every hurricane.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, The normal $22 million that we passed through every year for that program was upped, doubled
• We learn from it, absolutely learn from it.
• It took us years to build the program to get planes cared, to get pilots recruited, trained.
• So, uh, the, the capability of, of maintaining and keeping that program robust for all year long. is
• A crucial turning point for the program came on June 6th of this year, when the Trump administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, another question that I have is understanding program uh that the cabinet will have program uh that
• Is that the fiscal year for the state? Is that a calendar year?
• .<00:19:49.120> It program.
• And also, one thing that we learned firsthand this year is that community response is the most comprehensive
• And also, one thing that we learned firsthand this year is that community response is the most comprehensive

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669 08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669 09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36 13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36 14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686 29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686 30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.