Transcript Highlights:

• , um, again, age appropriate, um, our children are.
• of majority at age 18.
• Introducing age inappropriate content at young ages can have profound consequences on their development
• Can you, did you say what their ages were? Would you mind saying their ages at the time.
• I'm pretty sure I was under the age of 18.

Bills: HB 45, HB 755, HB 1232, HB 1555, HB 2460, HB 2702, HB 2973, HB 3120, HB 3225, HB 3314, HB 3356, HB 3371, HB 3634, HB 3638, HB 4247, HB 4283, HB 4290, HB 4302, HB 4503, HB 4511, HB 4565, HB 4581, HB 4627, HB 4632, HB 4660, HB 4668, HB 4960, HB 5042

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• The terms of the age rate categories are as follows: children under two years of age, the care of whom
• at the toddler rate; and children who are three years of age to six years of age. has been said very
• Children who are at three years of age to six years of age.
• Children who are three years of age to six years of age, inclusive, and who are not yet enrolled in first
• It lowered APS eligibility from age 65 to age 60.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major topic was child care and early education, where the Department of Social Services and Department of Finance outlined proposed changes to absorb federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue reductions, shift some funding between child care programs, end funding for prospective pay implementation now that the federal requirement has been rescinded, adjust the alternative payment administration structure, and fund child care infrastructure grants and a Low-Income Investment Fund contract closeout. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the budget makes progress on the structural deficit but recommended maintaining the administration’s solution level, making reserve deposits, and avoiding new ongoing commitments; it also raised concerns about shifting reductions to the California Alternative Payment Program and about the proposed administrative-rate change. Committee members strongly criticized the proposed loss of child care slots and said they would oppose eliminating those slots, while also expressing support for child care as essential infrastructure. The committee then reviewed California State Preschool Program proposals. Finance and CDE described reductions to the preschool COLA from 2.41% to 2.01%, removal of prospective pay funding, and increases for the QRIS block grant, audit support, and rate reform implementation. Trailer bill language would codify age-based rate categories, inclusion-rate documentation, family fee collection rules, portability, and excused absences. CDE supported the QRIS increase and some attendance and family-fee changes, but warned that aligning three- and four-year-old rates could reduce support for three-year-olds and that the budget does not fully cover enrollment growth. Members also questioned whether the preschool and child care slot reductions should be reallocated rather than terminated, and the administration said the reductions were intended to reflect current utilization and avoid harm to currently enrolled families. The hearing then moved to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS said the May Revision includes a one-time CalFood augmentation, funding to cover federal SNAP administrative cost-share pressures, and additional staffing and technical assistance to implement HR 1 changes, including the able-bodied adults without dependents time limit and new non-citizen eligibility rules. The department estimated HR 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people, with roughly 806,000 adults potentially subject to the time limit and about 34,000 non-citizens expected to lose eligibility once fully implemented. Members pressed for stronger harm mitigation, including a $98 million backfill to protect families from losing food benefits, and raised concerns about county workload and the “chilling effect” on immigrant participation. The final portion of the transcript began the IHSS presentation, noting a revised budget of $33.7 billion total funds and $12.8 billion General Fund, with proposed reductions tied to Medi-Cal asset-limit changes and other federal conformity items.

Transcript Highlights:

• 120 to 129; 3.9 million people from ages 130 to 139; 3.5 million people from ages 140 to 149; and money
• 120 to 129; 3.9 million people from ages 130 to 139; 3.5 million people from ages 140 to 149; and money
• our country 1.3 million people from ages our country 1.3 million people from ages 150<01:17:54.320
• Including, to finish, 1,39 people between the ages of 220 and 229; one person between the age of 240
• of<01:18:39.760> 240 229 one person between the age of 240 229 one person between the age

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't find people in some cases who I think are over the age of 18, who are responsible.
• outliers at the age of 17.
• Both states require being supervised until the age of 20, which this proposal does not consider.
• At its core, we believe that AG workers should be selling and serving beer, wine, and alcohol.
• <00:04:24.919> workers core we believe that of AG workers core we believe that of AG workers

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, children age 4 and under drown at nearly three times... ...100,000 population.
• from 4 and under to be ages 1 through 7 for participation.
• from 4 and under to be ages 1 through 7 for participation.
• Florida also has the highest fatal drowning rate in the nation for ages 1 through 4 and ages 0 through
• Kids my age see things that adults don’t always realize we carry with us.

Bills: S0068, S0096, S0340, S0428, S0606, S1480, S7018

Keywords: pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, veterans, dental care, healthcare, grant program, income assistance, human trafficking, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, Florida Board of Nursing, Department of Health, licensure by examination, nursing education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment first on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver. Testimony on the HIV program warned that proposed Department of Health changes could disrupt care for thousands of clients, create confusion, and force people off life-saving medications; a senator suggested affected clients explore medically needy and FQHC/340B options. Testimony on iBudget urged support for a roughly 7% rate adjustment for direct support professionals, citing rising costs and the need to sustain the developmental disabilities workforce. The committee then considered several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and was reported favorably. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1718 lengthened the time an adult may stay in an out-of-home placement before being treated as a visitor, reduced background screening burdens for foster families, made the Step Into Success program permanent, and created a best-practices program; it was also reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires related compliance records, and SB 96, which expands the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the bill’s specific $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing education to include a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, and SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain area-of-critical-need health care providers if federal designations change, both of which were reported favorably. The committee adjourned after all bills passed their roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• This population of youth, those aging out at 18 or who are emancipated before age 18, are really the
• These are youth that are at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age, who left foster
• Above age 21 at this point in time.
• And they age out. And they age out at 21. I think you've been answering this, but I'm not sure.
• Foster care ages out at what age? 18?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at age 16 in Florida. It's beginning at age 12 or 7th grade.
• Yes, the federal requirement is that states must begin at age 16.
• So I was asking my ripple that he regards to light what the age cap was.
• . 26 that transitional age because they feel like that's age. 26 that transitional age because they feel
• Provided that change in age requirements for transition planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This reflects a larger trend of adapting to the digital age.
• Um, are under the age of 13 on their platforms.
• And so the federal law dealt with under the age of 13.
• So theoretically, no one under the age of 13 is on social media.
• So the state law would be if this passes would be under the age of 18 now.

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Special Committee on Aging will now come to order.
• in the 65 and older age group in 2020.
• While older adults tend to use substances at lower rates than other age groups, 4.6 million people age
• Are we over-drugged is what I'm asking at a young age.
• What does this particularly affect the aging population, how does this particularly affect the aging

Keywords: opioid crisis, overdose, naloxone, drug trafficking, law enforcement, treatment, prevention, older adults, Medicaid expansion

Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• age 50, by 5 or 6 years.
• Age-gating is very important to this.
• It's minors only, under age 21. Yes, to minors. Yep. Yep.
• I like to support the legislation for age-gating I like to support the legislation for age-gating Kratom
• But I do believe that the age gate is the first step.

Bills: HB305, HB395, HB341

Keywords: hemp, marijuana, THC regulations, cannabis products, adult-use industry, public health, youth protection, child support, reunification, Department of Services for Children, family court, liability

Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• intent es specifically around the age intent es specifically around the age group<00:20:36.799> of
• offices um to the under uh 13 age group. offices um to the under uh 13 age group.
• if they're uh under the age of 13. if they're uh under the age of 13.
• all circumstances for the 0 to8 age all circumstances for the 0 to8 age group.<00:22:58.720>
• permit that to provide that age group. permit that to provide that age group.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• who are aging with us.
• to form Florida's aging network.
• Florida's Aging Network.
• In the vast and oftentimes complex aging space, In the vast and oftentimes complex aging space, the department's
• , but age well in our great state.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• My incredible ag teacher, who I would like to stand up, is Mr.
• And perhaps every member of the ag community across this great nation.
• I know you're an ag girl at heart.
• Rollins, top of mind for Iowa's ag community is Proposition 12.
• The average farmer today, the average age is 58 years old.

Transcript Highlights:

• department store, which are age inappropriate, instead of the maker and seller of the age-inappropriate
• Over a million that are going to do age verification.
• The responsibility for age verification ought to be on that small percentage of apps that are age-inappropriate
• We know her age and we’re comfortable with it, that at some point, if a kid—” “We know her age and we
• This is not held accountable at the age of 18.”

Bills: SB17, SB1569, SB2420, HB5138, HJR161, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HCR76, HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other bills are before your committee that would lower the voting age in some municipal elections or
• We are a national organization that supports youth-led campaigns to lower the voting age.
• I am going to talk very briefly about some of the misconceptions with lowering the voting age.
• And in our country, the country where I was born, you can vote at the age of 16.
• to 18, it also preserved the right to vote through old age.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:29.160> uh preschool level or the school age uh preschool level or the school age uh
• staff or the author can answer—what ages are defined as preschool and school age?
• I'll start off by saying that what ages I'll start off by saying that what ages are<00:59:28.599
• interaction between school AG kids and interaction between school AG kids and preschoolers<01:10
• ages there's various<01:14:02.679> ages<01:14:03.000> in<01:14:03.159> your<01:

Bills: HF656, HF655, HF633

Keywords: child care, childcare, day care, daycare, licensing, variance, licensed capacity, capacity limit, staff qualifications, staffing, child care center, family child care, provider flexibility, Minnesota career lattice, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, licensing rules, enrollment, indoor space, professional development

Transcript Highlights:

• Terms of the age rate categories are as follows: Children under two years of age, the care of whom will
• Children who are three years of age to six years of age... less crime it helps and it is literally one
• Children who are at three years of age to six years of age.
• Children who are three years of age to six years of age, inclusive, and who are not yet enrolled in first
• It lowered the APS eligibility from age 65 to age 60.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major discussion focused on child care and early education, including proposed reductions tied to federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue changes, the shift of reductions from general child care to the California Alternative Payment Program, the end of funding for prospective pay implementation, a 2.01% cost-of-living adjustment, child care infrastructure grants, and a proposal to increase administrative funding for alternative payment agencies. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported removing prospective pay funding and urged caution on the administrative-rate shift, while also recommending more justification for the slot reduction approach and more detail on infrastructure grant alignment. Committee members strongly objected to eliminating about 6,000 child care slots, arguing the Legislature should preserve and expand child care access. The Department of Education supported the preschool QRIS block grant increase and the COLA but raised concerns about rate alignment for three- and four-year-olds and the lack of funding to maintain enrollment growth. The committee then reviewed trailer bill language affecting child care, including codifying age-based reimbursement categories, expanding documentation for enhanced inclusion rates, clarifying CalWORKs child care eligibility, aligning health and safety standards with federal requirements, coordinating disaster-related infrastructure funding, and updating oversight language. Administration officials said the proposals were intended to support the single reimbursement rate structure, improve safety compliance, and coordinate disaster recovery funding. LAO said it had no major initial concerns with the trailer bill language but would continue reviewing it. The hearing then turned to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS described projected caseload declines, a one-time augmentation for county administration to implement federal H.R. 1 changes, a proposed reassessment schedule for county administrative funding, and updated estimates that H.R. 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people. Members pressed the administration on the impact of H.R. 1, the “chilling effect” on immigrant households, county workload, and whether the state should backfill federal cuts, especially for families with children subject to new work requirements. The committee also discussed a one-time CalFood augmentation, state administrative expense funding, staffing for H.R. 1 implementation, and a small increase to the CACFP meal reimbursement rate. Finally, the committee began IHSS items, including the impact of reinstating the Medi-Cal asset limit, automatic IHSS termination tied to Medi-Cal loss, and related savings and caseload estimates, with the administration explaining that these proposals would reduce eligibility and that there is no broad substitute for IHSS for many recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, Board of Ag, you got programs, grant programs.
• That's not ag. Uh, but we're having a harder time saying what ag is.
• First one is preserving ag lands and First one is preserving ag lands and water<00:26:17.280> resources
• We We at Kika Ag,<00:42:55.760> we're<00:42:56.000> a<00:42:56.040> nonprofit Ag
• Of that land, only 9,000 are tillable. had or performed on um on ag land. had or performed on um on ag

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we live in an internet age where it's lasting forever.
• There's still kids at the same age.
• Well, starting at line 44, minors 14 and 15 years of age who have graduated...
• So we provided the minors in the last bill 15 years of age or younger instead of 17 years of age or younger
• Social groups that are available through these platforms for their age group.

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average age of those applications was 27 years of age, with the majority 22 years of age.
• for those that had started the class was 25 years of age, with a majority of 21 years of age.
• 00.280> majority<00:04:00.879> of 27 years of age with the majority of 27 years of age
• was 26 years of complete the average age was 26 years of age<00:07:18.440> and<00:07:18.680><
• 07:24.080> that submitted were 22 years of age that submitted were 22 years of age that class<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary met to approve the February 18 minutes and then heard first from Kentucky State Police Commissioner Philip Burnett Jr. on recruitment, Trooper Academy classes, and the Kentucky Emergency Warning System (KQES) lease program. Burnett said KSP had submitted the House Bill 6 recruitment and retention reports, and he reviewed Cadet Classes 104 and 105, including application numbers, age ranges, and the mix of applicants by education, military, and law enforcement background. He said attrition is driven largely by physical fitness failures and homesickness from the resident academy model, but noted KSP has expanded recruiting and mentoring efforts, including college-credit partnerships and targeted recruiting in western Kentucky. Members asked about academy credit, the physical test, dropout reasons, whether applicants can reapply, and where recruits are coming from; Burnett said some do return successfully and that most candidates come from central and eastern Kentucky, while staffing remains hardest at posts in Mayfield, Madisonville, Henderson, Campbellsburg, and Dry Ridge. Burnett also updated the committee on KQES and the broader radio replacement effort. He described KQES as a 153-tower microwave backbone supporting state and local public safety communications, including DEMA, KET, and seismology equipment, and said KSP is renewing long-term private land leases that were set to expire in the coming years. He reported progress using master agreements and outside leasing firms, with eight leases out for bid and eleven more to follow, plus new interagency leases with the Transportation Cabinet and a site move in Wolf County to Forest Service land. He said about 997 leases still remain to be executed, though some tower sites involve multiple leases, and he expressed optimism that the new process will protect the system’s assets. In response to questions from Representative Sharp, Burnett said he could not give a firm completion date for the new radio system but estimated 18 to 36 months depending on tower construction, and said phase three equipment has already been procured for parts of Posts 8, 11, and 14, including Boyd and Lawrence counties. After KSP’s presentation and questions from Representatives Sharp, Carney, and Decker, the committee turned to the Kentucky Court of Justice. Zach Ramy, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, introduced himself and began the court system’s budget overview, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation continued.