Transcript Highlights:

• As far as statutory audits in progress, we have eight.
• And so these are the questions that continue to linger in San Diego County.
• Or we can continue to have low levels of public trust and confidence.
• But if not, I think the public in San Diego will continue to harbor doubts.
• Projects will then continue to be rejected at the ballot box, I would presume.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can have the flexibility to continue and coordinate together.
• Do we have a statutory definition of top-tier public cloud?
• It seems like this would be better vetted through a statutory bill.
• And so I would advocate, we, excuse me, continue to hold to the House position here.
• I mean, it is a statutory program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:14.960> for<00:05:15.120> the know, the statutory language for the know, the statutory
• <00:09:47.519> the are continuing to be left behind. the are continuing to be left behind.
• > grants<00:20:43.760> management continue to design our grants management continue to
• Um, cities versus uh statutory cities.
• continue the the drafting process. continue the the drafting process. um<01:21:58.159> so

Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549

Keywords: dairy assistance, agriculture, investment, relief initiative, farm support, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The House continues to operate on our 60/90-day rule, plus another extension to March.
• The purpose of House Bill 4543 is to clarify the existing statutory exemption found in section 87 of
• The contractor was allowed to continue performing this work with the workers that they were employing
• The statutory analysis, and it's almost as if you don't need to get there.
• to the statutory recommendation that the court suggests is a recommendation of 21 and above.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with the longest discussion focused on House Bill 426 and Senate Bill 263, which would prohibit the sale in Massachusetts of cosmetics known to rely on vertebrate animal testing. Supporters from Animal Defenders International, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Rescue League said animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unreliable, and pointed to non-animal alternatives and similar laws in other states and countries. No opposition was heard on that bill during the excerpt, and witnesses urged the committee to report it favorably. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 4543, which would clarify an existing pipe-fitting exemption for certain work performed on property owned by industrial plants, utilities, colleges, and similar institutions. A representative for Construction Industries of Massachusetts supported the bill, saying it would preserve longstanding practice for outside contractors doing yard piping work. Pipefitters Local 537 opposed it, arguing the work is properly licensed pipefitting and that the bill would weaken licensing standards and undermine state inspectors. Another major topic was Senate Bill 237 on regulating self-checkouts in grocery establishments. The Mass AFL-CIO and UFCW Local 1445 supported the bill, saying self-checkout has reduced staffing, increased worker stress and customer conflict, and contributed to theft and safety problems. Workers described being responsible for multiple machines at once, verbal abuse, and even assaults, and said the bill’s staffing and machine limits would improve safety and customer service. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 355, which would allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telehealth; ASPCA, MSPCA, and several veterinarians supported it as a way to expand access to care, while the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians opposed it, arguing that an in-person exam is essential for proper diagnosis and that telemedicine should only follow an in-person VCPR. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 330, Senate Bill 221, and House Bill 371, which would preempt local boards of health from adopting tobacco-related age or sales restrictions beyond the statewide standard. Public health advocates opposed the bills, arguing they would block local innovation and undermine nicotine-free generation policies adopted by municipalities, while retailers and tobacco trade groups supported them as necessary to preserve a uniform statewide age-21 standard and avoid confusion for consumers and businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, uh, uh, Chairman Dutton, members of the committee, I'm Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court
• Avoid organizations who have a vested financial interest in continued conflict or receive grants related
• As the statutory probate court. Of Austin, Texas. Good morning. Uh, good afternoon.
• I'm Guy Herman representing statutory probate courts in the state of Texas.
• Representing himself and the Texas statutory probate courts and testifying for the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:38.000> uh<00:28:38.679> 420 continue to unpack all of this. uh 420 continue
• We I heard addresses it by statutory.
• secretary of state's office is statutory secretary of state's office is statutory and<01:01:50.400
• that they're not that they're continuing that they're not that they're continuing their<01:14:50.800
• allow our model of risk pool to continue allow our model of risk pool to continue to<01:26:56.239

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have statutory mandates.
• So we have statutory mandates. We have statutory mandates. We, needs as they see fit.
• So we have statutory mandates.
• And is there a standardized or suggested standardization of, like, continuing education and continued
• I just think we need to continue to be prepared.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning. Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services. The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most states prohibit gambling as a general rule while carving out explicit statutory or constitutional
• Most states prohibit gambling as a general rule while carving out explicit statutory or constitutional
• or carving out explicit statutory or constitutional<00:11:23.839> exceptions<00:11:24.480>
• <00:20:16.920> to I think that as gambling continues to I think that as gambling continues
• <00:29:08.520> to about the legal options continues to about the legal options continues to

Bills: SCR145, SCR132, SCR31, SCR110

Keywords: traffic violations, demerit point system, driver license points, traffic safety, hit and run, reckless driving, repeat offenders, recidivism, Department of Transportation, DOT, task force, traffic enforcement, road safety, vehicle code, license suspension, county police, Hawaii transportation, SCR132, Senate Concurrent Resolution, Makakilo Drive Extension

Transcript Highlights:

• , I look forward to working with you this session. to ensure that the Texas civil justice system continues
• It continues to happen, maybe we should consider the appropriations to that office as something.
• But in comparison to other states, they have more cases than other states had or continue to have.
• More of those complaints and those numbers will continue to grow.
• Within the confines of our constitutional and statutory confidentiality rules.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This section changes the existing statutory fee structure.
• This section changes the existing statutory fee structure.
• This section changes the existing statutory fee structure.
• This section changes the existing statutory fee structure.
• This section changes the existing statutory fee structure.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage. Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity. Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bottom line is we're not here asking for specific statutory change.
• And our customers just see a blip and they're continuing to stay on power.
• Those are added expenses that continue to ramp up.
• So I think what we need is statutory legislation to establish a statutory definition of what the heck
• All we really need is that statutory definition.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and you will note in the um statutory and you will note in the um statutory language<00:33:32.480
• constitutional and statutory constitutional and statutory restrictions<00:34:35.919> have
• Um it's continues to this day.
• Constitution and recommended statutory Constitution and recommended statutory changes.<01:21:01.520
• <01:36:44.639> to that will allow them to continue to that will allow them to continue to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's prisons and the continuence Minnesota's prisons and the continuence of<00:02:32.239>
• > appropriation<00:25:24.159> to this is a statutory appropriation to this is a statutory
• <00:26:32.480> appropriation revenue and the statutory appropriation revenue and the statutory
• > continue<01:03:39.280> to<01:03:39.599> increase continue to um we continue to
• increase continue to um we continue to increase the<01:03:40.160> spending<01:03:41.280> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across Florida, YMCAs continue to have a powerful impact by addressing food insecurity, leading drowning
• Across Florida, YMCA's continue to have a powerful impact by addressing food and security, leading drowning
• We'll now continue on the order of business. Are there reports of committees? None on the desk, Mr.
• Senate Bill 100 is the Adoption Act, which is an essential element of the continuous statutory revision
• Senate Bill 102 deletes statutory provisions that were repealed by an earlier session of the Legislature

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions for the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Thomas Clem of Lakeland, and a large YMCA delegation visiting for the organization’s 175th anniversary. Senators highlighted the YMCA’s youth leadership programs and community service, and the chamber entered a proclamation recognizing the YMCA’s long service and its work in community support, youth development, and public health efforts. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 regular session’s statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed repealed provisions from the statutes; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language, updated cross-references, and corrected drafting errors. Each of those bills was advanced to third reading and passed unanimously, 36-0. Senators also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, also by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, drew the most substantive policy discussion. Its sponsor said the bill would reduce district-level mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship pathways, create longer-term teacher contracts and certificates, streamline salary supplements and assessments, increase flexibility in district finances and Title I use, adjust facility planning requirements, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. The sponsor emphasized reducing bureaucracy while preserving accountability and focusing resources on students; the bill passed 36-0. The Senate also withdrew Senate Bill 1720 from further consideration, waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide DCF with the tools they need to continue economic self-sufficiency services and decrease
• This funds the continued upgrade and modernization of CAMS to a modern software program.
• I think we have funded above and beyond statutory minimums.
• My policy was paid for in full before the policy term began and remained continuously in force.
• But I want to thank you for all the work that you have done previously and continue to do.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want... ...continue living on for generations to come.
• But again, my team is continuing this work.
• So I’m glad to hear that as continuing.
• So I'm glad to hear that as continuing, but it's I think Mr.
• And thirdly, the statutory changes, At each licensure level.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing on the theme of training, do you measure the efficacy of the training?
• I do think it needs to continue to... ...thoughtful and great to see.
• We will continue with Mayor Fuller. Let's start again and then I'll expand.
• We will continue with Mayor Fuller. Let you'll start again and then I'll expand.
• And then Sunday the 30th is the end of our statutory charge, and that's not changing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism met to hear testimony from Chief James Hicks of the Natick Police Department, who chairs the Municipal Police Training Committee, and Chief Thomas Fowler of the Salisbury Police Department. They described the statewide civil-rights-officer model for hate-crime response, the HEART Unit, and MPTC training authority under POST, and urged the commission to recommend incorporating the IHRA definition of antisemitism into police training and to fund that effort. Commissioners asked about how law enforcement should handle antisemitic incidents that may not rise to crimes, the 2022 Mapping Project, masking during protests, and the role of HART; the chiefs said departments can update training quickly, that every department should have a trained civil-rights officer, and that HART’s expertise should be integrated statewide. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes after correcting an initial procedural error. The rest of the meeting focused on the draft report, especially the prefatory statement and the definition section. Commissioners broadly praised the report’s scope and the chairs’ work, but offered many edits aimed at tightening language, reducing advocacy tone, and clarifying the “Massachusetts way” of combating antisemitism. Several members wanted stronger emphasis on Massachusetts values, education, moral leadership, and the distinction between hate incidents, hate crimes, and statutory offenses; others urged clearer references to constitutional protections, First Amendment limits, and Attorney General review of legal statements. There was also discussion of whether to keep or remove references to alternative definitions of antisemitism: some commissioners argued that only the IHRA definition should be centered, while others said acknowledging other definitions was factually important and would reflect the range of testimony. Commissioners also raised specific substantive edits for later sections, including adding examples such as the 2022 Mapping Project, strengthening language on online intimidation, academic boycotts, and divestment campaigns, and clarifying that some conduct may be hateful even if lawful. In the higher education section, members praised recommendations on mandatory training, bystander intervention, trauma-informed responses, mental health supports, and campus climate surveys, while suggesting a few technical edits and additional best-practice examples. No final votes were taken on the draft report during this portion; the chairs said they would incorporate feedback into a revised draft before the remaining meetings and eventual vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most Texas Consumers continue to have a lot of choice when it comes to choosing an insurance company.
• To put it another way, around 99% of homeowners continue to find coverage on the private market.
• Consumers continue to have a lot of choice when it comes to choosing an insurance company. close, I'd
• So, they are seeing positive trends and hopefully that will continue.
• It's slowing slightly which is a trend we hope to see continue, but you're absolutely right.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and I know we're going to continue Uh, and I know we're going to continue to<00:31:55.760>
• continuing to work a little bit on that. continuing to work a little bit on that.
• Mary, continuing to to work on an approach continuing to to work on an approach that<00:35:12.320>
• quick 15-day statutory filing deadline. quick 15-day statutory filing deadline.
• <01:14:23.679> 15-day are filed within that statutory 15-day are filed within that statutory

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• in other states and addressing statutory in other states and addressing statutory ambigu<00:05:17.720
• and 2020 so in the interest of statutory and 2020 so in the interest of statutory Integrity<00:09
• Thank you, please continue.
• Thank you, please continue.
• so this is a matter of statutory so this is a matter of statutory Integrity<00:30:18.399> uh<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all