Transcript Highlights:

• From athlete and family NIL contract education programs to athletic tax education programs, financial
• Renee Amar: We started a Future Leaders Program last year.
• I think it's a great program. Just a couple quick questions.
• Yeah, and it said, 'or an equivalent program approved by BESE.' Okay.
• that include POST, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 987, which would move the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute to streamline energy-related programs. The author and members described it as an efficiency measure, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. Members then heard HB 513 on name, image, and likeness rules for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes. The bill was presented as a product of a task force and was supported by the Attorney General’s office, coaches, and a student athlete, who emphasized the need for guardrails, education, and protections against exploitation by agents or third parties. Questions focused on high school enforcement, parental consent, and what students may legally do; the committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered HCR 26, which asks BESE to incorporate the science of human growth and development, including prenatal development, into science or health standards and to provide instructional materials. Supporters said it would improve science education and show fetal development more clearly, while opponents raised concerns about medical accuracy, political influence, and lack of safeguards. An amendment requiring parental consent for instruction was offered but failed on a roll call vote, and the resolution was then reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 608 favorably as amended to protect confidentiality of documents tied to intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing, while preserving public disclosure of overall institutional spending. It also advanced HB 380, creating a pilot program to expand CDL workforce training through a community college and school partnership, and HB 392, which would require suicide hotline information on school websites, student ID cards, and, through amendment, visible signs in schools. The committee then reported HB 476 as amended, requiring Safe Haven law flyers in school restrooms, and began discussion of HB 682 to authorize veterans as school resource officers, with amendments addressing qualifications and training.

Transcript Highlights:

• Setting foundations for such programs, the incentive programs in the state of New Mexico already have
• Because I know they've had an active program.
• And then our newest program is the Water Education Program.
• And this is a growing program this year.
• monitored to sign up for that volunteer program.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Maryland public charter school program Maryland public charter school program school<00:09:41.600
• transit program to only provide grants to Montgomery County's BRT program.
• and it alters the bus rapid program and it alters the bus rapid transit<00:13:13.600><c> program</c>
• </c><00:56:58.319><c> The</c> program. So that's your CVS points. The program.
• </c> Opportunities Grant Program and Fund. Opportunities Grant Program and Fund.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “For maintenance of current operations or the program maintenance budgets. Mr.
• We just infused money in the foster care program, big cut there again.
• In the Industrial Commission is a crime victims compensation program.
• And some of the others are statewide programs.
• Number one, the Graduate Medical Residency, the GME program.

Summary: The committee received an LSO update on the latest green sheet, including the fiscal effects of House Bill 559, recent cash transfers, and the Idaho Budget Rescissions Act for FY 2026. Staff then walked through FY 2027 maintenance budgets, explaining how statewide decisions, benefit costs, contract inflation, and cost allocation were built into the numbers. Members also discussed clarifications to the health insurance calculation language and the treatment of certain agency plans, including graduate medical education and the Secretary of State’s cash balance approach. The committee considered and approved maintenance budgets for the legislative branch, public safety, natural resources, health and human services, economic development, the judicial branch, constitutional officers, and general government. Several members objected to the across-the-board reductions, arguing they would create long-term costs, harm staffing and services, and shift expenses to other parts of government or to the public. Supporters said the committee needed a target, that the maintenance budgets were structurally balanced, and that further changes could be addressed in the enhancement process. Most budget motions passed on divided votes, and the committee also adopted standard language for each packet. The committee debated several pieces of nonstandard language, including provisions related to budget integrity, reporting requirements for large Health and Welfare acquisitions, a cash transfer for livestock depredation prevention, public defender parking, insurance reimbursement limits, and a proposal to use reserve funds to hold state employee health insurance premiums flat. Some language was adopted by unanimous consent, while the employee premium language prompted extended discussion over which reserve funds could be used and whether the proposal should apply differently to elected officials and other employees. The meeting ended while that issue was still being worked through, with the committee having advanced multiple budget packets and accompanying language to do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Industrial Commission, there is a crime victims compensation program.
• Thank God I'm still here, and I was sent to such an amazing program.
• Unless there are any questions, the program maintenance...
• We're looking at the fact that they can't build out the nursing program.
• Number one, the Graduate Medical Residency, the GME program...

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received updates from LSO on the latest green sheet, including the revenue impact of House Bill 559, recent cash transfers, and the Idaho Budget Rescissions Act for FY 2026. Members then moved through a series of FY 2027 maintenance budgets, beginning with the legislative branch. The committee discussed the statewide 2% reduction layered on top of the governor’s recommendation, benefit-cost adjustments, and how those decisions were being built into the maintenance budgets. The legislative branch budget passed, followed by unanimous-consent adoption of related language. The committee next considered public safety, natural resources, health and human services, economic development, judicial branch, constitutional officers, and general government budgets. In each case, analysts explained how rescissions, ongoing base reductions, and statewide adjustments were incorporated. Several members objected to the across-the-board cuts, arguing they would reduce staffing or services in corrections, juvenile corrections, environmental quality, health and welfare, public defender services, crime victims compensation, tax administration, and treatment courts, while supporters said the committee needed a target and would revisit details in enhancement work groups. Most budget motions passed on divided votes and were forwarded with do-pass recommendations. The committee also adopted multiple sections of standard and nonstandard language, including cash transfers, reporting requirements, and agency-specific provisions. In Health and Human Services, members debated language requiring reporting on large acquisitions and transfers, and in Economic Development and General Government they adopted language affecting the State Public Defender, the Department of Insurance, and group insurance premiums. The meeting ended while the committee was still working through a disputed general government language item about funding employee health insurance premiums from reserve accounts, with members debating whether the language should reference specific reserve funds or broader reserve funding and whether the proposal was properly within JFAC’s scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE LIST SUN BELIEVABLE, -- LIST IS UNBELIEVABLE, MR. SPEAKER.
• PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN.
• program in over 50 years.
• A GOVERNMENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT'S NEVER MISSED A PAYMENT AND YET CONGRESS HASN'T ENHANCED THE PROGRAM
• AND LAND TO AUTHORIZE SPECIES PROPERTIES AND CULL RAT PROGRAMS -- -- CULTURAL PROGRAMS.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This location was being used to build, program, and distribute these illegal machines all throughout
• the conveyor belt, the electronic system that's used to move these machines around so they can be programmed
• But that's where it's being programmed.
• And again, there's a close-up of the hub that's being used to program and distribute these machines.
• I want bang for our buck, man.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is another moment of personal privilege. lion and sun movement in Iran, which lion and sun movement
• DOA typically receives approximately $200,000 to $300,000 for the program.
• </c><02:27:15.280><c> Currently,</c> to $300,000 for the program.
• Currently, to $300,000 for the program.
• program, three member advisory<02:27:20.880><c> committee.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2008, the funding for this critical program was cut.
• Third, community engagement and youth programs.
• Third, community engagement and youth programs.
• Third, community engagement and youth programs.
• Third, community engagement and youth programs.

Bills: SB1001, SB1035, SB1056, SB1065, SB1138, SB1161, SB1204, SB1207, SB1248, SB1274, SB1284, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1020

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, state budget, private prisons

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs help families balance. 5% and 27%.
• The Technical Assistance Program, TAP, and the Capital Infusion Program, SIP, are extraordinarily important
• comes to the success that we've had with that program.
• You are very familiar with the farmer program.
• There are people currently going through that program.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact and Agriculture, held at Fresno State, focused on cost pressures in California’s food system, household affordability, and the Central Valley’s role in agriculture. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s regional importance, the Central Valley’s outsized contribution to food production, and the connection between agricultural health, food security, and the broader economy. Members also noted the impact of the federal shutdown on CalFresh benefits and the state’s efforts to respond with food assistance funding and National Guard support for food banks. The first panel featured academic and policy experts who described agriculture’s economic importance in the San Joaquin Valley and the rising pressures on farms and households. Dr. Conduro highlighted agriculture’s large share of regional GDP, farm receipts, jobs, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market volatility, invasive pests, and production cost inflation as major barriers. Caroline Danielson of PPIC said food prices remain about 30% above 2019 levels, food insecurity affects about 1.8 million California households, and nutrition programs such as CalFresh, WIC, and school meals are essential in reducing poverty, especially in the Central Valley. Susie Pryor of the Central California Small Business Development Center described technical assistance, capital access, and training for small food and farm businesses, while warning that reduced funding limits support for rural and immigrant entrepreneurs. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce business owner, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. They said input costs for fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, labor, land leases, and compliance have risen sharply while commodity prices have remained flat or fallen, squeezing small farms and food businesses. Panelists stressed the need for small-batch processing facilities, local supply chains, education on food manufacturing compliance, land access for small farmers, and more pathways into agriculture through trade programs, community colleges, and FFA. Ryan Jacobson said California agriculture is facing a prolonged downturn, with farm bankruptcies, weak commodity prices, export-market uncertainty, water reliability problems, and costly ag-burning rules all contributing to financial strain. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible policy solutions and continued engagement with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need someone who's at USTR who doesn't pass the buck and is empowered to speak with authority both

Transcript Highlights:

• It's now becoming more urgent that we find... ...Security Grant Program, or SLCGP.
• governments beyond the life of the current grant-funded program.
• They need the patchware program.
• I don't think we can pull this program back.
• So there were a little over $12 million provided for this program.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have this program, similar program.
• That's a new program.
• One is cost-saving programs.
• We'll move now into some other programs. This is loan program administration, page 179.
• Movers program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support that program having a dedicated amount of funding under this bond.
• And in fact, if we don't pass a bond, then all these programs have no money, right?
• And there's really good work that is happening under that program.
• This is not a million-dollar-per-unit subsidy in this program.
• We need to have more funding in these programs. It's how we fund them.

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by establishing quorum and explaining that several two-year bills and bond measures would be heard, with witnesses limited to two minutes and “me too” testimony grouped together. The first bill, SB 222 by Senator Wiener, would streamline permitting for heat pumps, water heaters, and HVAC installations and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said it would lower costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians switch to efficient electric appliances. The League of California Cities opposed unless amended, raising concerns about a permit-fee cap and the feasibility of virtual inspections. Committee members largely supported the policy but flagged fee recovery, inspection liability, HOA authority, and possible electrical panel upgrade costs; the bill passed to Local Government on a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 677, also by Senator Wiener, which was narrowed to two remaining changes related to commuter rail definitions and mobile home exemption language, with a separate future cleanup bill for SB 79 promised later in the session. Local governments and counties said the amended bill still needed clearer definitions and implementation guidance, while several groups shifted to support after the amendments. The committee approved the bill 10-1 and sent it to Local Government. Next, SB 417 by Senator Cabaldon proposed a $10 billion 2026 affordable housing bond to fund construction, preservation, rehabilitation, supportive housing, and homeownership opportunities. Supporters emphasized the need to replace exhausted housing funds, leverage federal tax credits, and keep shovel-ready projects moving; opponents and some members raised concerns about state debt, the lack of a dedicated CalHome share, and whether the bond should include more homeownership or higher-education allocations. After extensive debate over bond indebtedness and housing need, the bill passed to Appropriations on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 492, a youth housing and youth center bond proposal. Senator Reyes described it as a way to fund transitional housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness and reduce long-term public costs. Witnesses from Covenant House California and the California Coalition for Youth supported the measure, citing the needs of foster youth and homeless young people, the benefits of transitional housing, and the high success rate of youth exiting to stable housing. The transcript cuts off during additional testimony, so no final action on SB 492 is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our public water works permit program and some of those other programs are housed within the Ecological
• Our public water works permit program and some of those other programs are housed within the Ecological
• </c> shooting facilities and and the program shooting facilities and and the program we<00:17:26.799>
• bucks only for decades right I still see bucks only for decades right I still see people<00:39:38.359
• which</c> Reserve program the CRP program which Reserve program the CRP program which has<01:04:46.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is such a great program. It's a great program. And they led, right?
• Daily programs, daily programs, daily days per week and includes evening sessions.
• [Witness/Staff] ...but the program is a good program.
• We offer the programs and we want people to take advantage of the programs.
• But that being said, state dollars allow us to fund programs, all programs, all survivors.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For one student, this program is more than a sport. It's her family's history and passion.
• Buck, CEO of the Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking, or CAST.
• Buck has over 30 years of experience leading human rights initiatives around the world.
• AB 1920 addresses a small but significant issue in the California College Promise Program.
• But right now, those steps can knock students out of their program entirely.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support that program having a dedicated amount of funding under this bond.
• And in fact, if we don't pass a bond, then all these programs have no money, right?
• And there's really good work that is happening under that program.
• This is not a million dollar per unit subsidy in this program.
• We need to have more funding in these programs. It's how we fund them.

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by taking up several two-year bills and bond measures. SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act, would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow video/phone participation by contractors during inspections, and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would cut costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians lower energy bills; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing concerns about a permit fee cap and virtual inspections. After questions about fees, inspection liability, HOA authority, and electrical panel upgrades, the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill would be narrowed to two definition changes and that broader SB 79 cleanup would come in a new bill later in 2026. Testimony reflected both support and concern: some local governments and counties said more clarity was needed on implementation, transit-related definitions, and timing, while housing and transit advocates supported the cleanup and the removal of the ferry-stop provision. The committee approved the amended bill 10-1 to Local Government. SB 417, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, proposed a $10 billion general obligation bond for affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership, and preservation. Supporters argued that state housing funds had been exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready units were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and create jobs. Opponents, including Habitat for Humanity, asked for a dedicated CalHome set-aside for homeownership. Members debated state debt levels, bond repayment, and whether the state should rely more on direct appropriations, but the bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also began hearing SB 492, the Youth Housing and Youth Center bond, which the author said was intended to be folded into a larger housing bond package. The bill would authorize bonds for youth housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, with the author arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 492.

Transcript Highlights:

• not only for the preservation of our school trust lands, but also getting the biggest bang for our buck
• </c> getting the biggest bang for our buck getting the biggest bang for our buck off<00:14:48.320><c>
• Um, so in addition to licensure and renewal, we oversee about 650 teacher training programs across the
• I know that the review of all of the higher ed programs is not easy.
• So learning about how to get— in fact, I came through the portfolio program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• get to a cost-share or cost-benefit analysis that would bring the most, I'll just say, bang for the buck

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House Bill 1218 met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which concerns environmental assessment requirements and cost-share analysis for drainage projects. Members discussed revised language that would keep the existing $1 million threshold in place for assessment drain projects, maintain the moratorium on environmental assessments for those projects, and add study language to examine thresholds for when environmental assessments should be required. The House side explained that the goal was to prevent the threshold from being lowered again, while also allowing the interim study to gather more data on agricultural benefit valuation and cost-benefit analysis. Senator Engett asked why additional study time was needed if more than 50 environmental assessments had already been completed. In response, members explained that the current tool has gaps in how agricultural land benefits are valued, which can affect cost-share calculations, and that the study period would help improve the analysis. They also noted that the bill would not affect municipal water supply or flood control projects, with the main issue being assessment drains in agricultural land. No votes were taken. The committee agreed the revised language should be put into proper legislative form, and the chair indicated the committee could reconvene later that morning, possibly at 11:00 a.m., before adjourning the meeting.