Transcript Highlights:

• But it is one layer of protection<00:14:34.240> that<00:14:34.480> this<00:14:34.639>
• > committee<00:14:35.040> could protection that this committee could protection that this
• Do you know who the the class Yes. Yeah.
• Do you know who the the class president<00:24:58.720> was<00:24:59.039> in<00:24:59.279
• Modota's existing water system was built in the 1990s to provide basic fire protection.

Bills: HF333, HF2712, HF1064, HF1069, HF1113, HF2207, HF204, HF2867, HF2924, HF746, HF1530, HF2587, HF1078

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've protected that evacuation plan from public disclosure.
• And this is what you're trying to protect.
• I was not there to protect her.
• She excelled in school and was in gifted and talented classes.
• It also provides measures that will help protect children.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• personal cell phones during class personal cell phones during class instruction<00:14:46.959>
• If someone is trying to protect themselves, there is a mask for that.
• will protect the person wearing<00:29:09.840> it.
• wearing a mask to protect them from that<00:29:15.520> person.
• Schools don't get protecting that data.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 895's investment will allow us to fight back to protect California science and health research from
• We urgently need this science and health research bond to protect our future and save lives.
• We urgently need science and health research bond to protect our future and save lives.
• At the last hearing, there was discussion about fraud, consumer protection, and the distinction between
• At the last hearing, the discussion about fraud, consumer protection, and the distinction between Safe

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 24, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum and began by hearing presentations only. SB 308 was presented as a bill to streamline fiscal reporting for California community colleges by combining two overlapping annual audit reports into one. SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond, drew extensive testimony from the authors and many supporters, who argued it would help offset federal research cuts, protect California’s science infrastructure, support jobs, and preserve life-saving research in areas such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s, ALS, climate resilience, and quantum computing. The bill was described as a bond measure that would require a three-party agreement and was sent to suspense. After quorum was established, the committee took up the consent and suspense calendars. Several bills were approved on consent, including SB 308 and a large group of other measures, while the suspense calendar was deemed approved, including SB 895 and other bills listed by the chair. Public comment on SB 895 continued for a long period, with many researchers, students, labor representatives, university officials, and patient advocates speaking in strong support and urging the bill be moved to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1350, which would expand green hydrogen by allowing renewable portfolio standard credits for certain hydrogen use in power generation; the author and supporters said it would help clean energy development, create jobs, and support projects like ARCHES and Element. Later, SB 1306 was presented to align California law with federal exemptions for certain chemical mixtures containing GBL used in semiconductor manufacturing research. The author and SEMI’s representative said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, avoid disrupting semiconductor supply chains, and not change rules for pure GBL. The bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with one no vote and one not voting. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we are serious about protecting access to health care, we should not be making it more expensive.
• And the argument is we should protect that anachronism.
• Only needed because the federal administration wiped out California's prior MCO tax for the protected
• The best way to protect those premiums is for the federal government to reverse course and allow our
• I want to just take a moment to wish a very warm Senate welcome to this extraordinary 2026 class of the

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They keep licensing focused on what they do best: protecting children's health and safety.
• They keep licensing focused on what they do best: protecting children's health and safety.
• It's called the CLASS, and that measures interactions between children and their teachers.
• food program and I got the class food program and I got the class assessment<01:08:35.679> and
• We want the child protecting children.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• going<00:15:46.639> to<00:15:46.720> be<00:15:46.800> a<00:15:46.959> class
• <00:15:47.120> C something that's going to be a class C something that's going to be a class
• Okay, class C felony, they got to do the three-panel exam, and we have a difficulty finding the three
• Okay, class C felony they examinations.
• Okay, class C felony they got<00:24:03.919> to<00:24:04.000> do<00:24:04.159> the

Bills: SB2418, SB2568, SB2661

Keywords: drug paraphernalia, overdose prevention, public health, substance use, harm reduction, criminal justice reform, public servants, harassment, safety, government, criminal offense, nepotism, transparency, public officials, accountability, government ethics, 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up three previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2418, which repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, was amended to keep prohibitions on manufacturing-related paraphernalia and then passed. SB 2568, which elevates harassment against certain public officials to a misdemeanor, was amended to place it in the harassment statute, narrow the nexus language, and extend coverage to all public employees; it passed with amendments. SB 2661, dealing with nepotism rules in the code of ethics, was amended so the ethics restrictions would apply more broadly to legislators and judges as well, and it also passed with amendments. In each case, the committee reported no no-votes or reservations and adopted the measures. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 684, the nomination of Judge Stephanie Char to the Fifth Circuit Court on Kauai. The governor’s office testified in strong support, and the Hawaii State Bar Association representative said the usual review process found her qualified. Judge Char described her Kauai roots, 17 years as a public defender, and service as a district family court judge since December 2020, saying she would bring hard work and continued commitment to access to justice. Members questioned her about recusals on a small island, her experience handling criminal and civil matters, sentencing repeat offenders, administrative appeals, and how she would approach competency and fitness issues under HRS 704. Char said she had recused only a few times, emphasized case-by-case sentencing and probation conditions tailored to underlying problems, and said she would rely on preparation and education for unfamiliar administrative matters. On 704 cases, she said defendants awaiting evaluation should generally remain in custody, with possible diversion or strict release conditions in appropriate cases, and that those found unfit would need to be sent to Hawaii State Hospital. No vote was taken on the nomination; the committee announced it would decide on Monday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016.

Transcript Highlights:

• movement first two lines are really just movement on<01:18:25.520> various<01:18:25.920> class
• lines relative to the on various class lines relative to the uh<01:18:27.920> department's<01
• New Hampshire Veterans Home, a small change to expanded transfer authority between class lines.
• Um, so do these numbers reflect that decrease, or is there some sort of a protection in the budget for
• in the budget for a sort of a protection in the budget for a significant<01:38:34.880> decrease

Keywords: LBA Briefing on Budget, 928, house, all

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• and I've taken many many English classes and I've taken many many English classes until<00:01:34.799
• Um, and we've already done one classes.
• driven uh payment model casemix class driven uh payment model casemix class systems<00:52:05.440
• We need to protect the best we can.
• our long-term care staff and and protect our long-term care staff and and protect the<02:06:35.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the RPS statute, it established four classes of renewable energy resources.
• <00:34:18.960> of statute established four classes of statute established four classes of
• four classes four classes as<00:34:28.879> a<00:34:29.040> set<00:34:29.399> percentage
• Thank you for helping to protect the New Hampshire Vaccine Association.
• <01:46:54.000> the um thank you for helping to protect the um thank you for helping to protect

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 224, which would redirect most money from New Hampshire’s renewable energy fund back to electric ratepayers. The bill sponsor argued the measure would lower energy costs, noting recent utility rate increases and estimating annual savings of roughly $2.5 million to $7.3 million for ratepayers. Supporters said the fund has accumulated money that should be returned to customers rather than used for subsidies, and they emphasized that the state has already rebated similar funds from RGGI for years. Opponents, including Rep. Kat McGee, argued the renewable energy fund is a successful, nonlapsing dedicated fund that supports local clean-energy projects, energy resilience, emissions reductions, and private investment. McGee said the fiscal note overstated the benefit of rebates and understated the loss of investment, claiming the average annual rebate would amount to less than $10 per customer while the program has helped leverage significant private dollars and nearly 10,000 projects. She urged the committee to reject the bill as a poor deal for the state and ratepayers. Committee members questioned the fiscal note, the size of the rebate, whether the bill would set a precedent for other dedicated funds, and whether the program’s incentives amount to picking winners and losers. The Department of Energy testified neutrally, explaining how the renewable energy fund works, including renewable energy credits, alternative compliance payments, and the fund’s use for renewable energy initiatives. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the private sector, legislative budget requests are not typically presented in terms of estimate classes
• So if you look at sort of the industry standards, typically you have estimate classes from, say, one
• But if you're talking about a class three estimate, which is more or less where you're estimating for
• This substation houses transformers, switchgear, protection devices, etc.
• We actually have a group starting tomorrow, which is one of our academy classes.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's important to protect our veterans.
• able to take a short accounting class. able to take a short accounting class.
• If someone who went through a ServeSafe class could go through another level of class to be able to write
• the Lake Centipe Protective Association. the Lake Centipe Protective Association.
• To protect needs to be expanded. Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also find that the spouses want Pilates class in Starbucks down the street and you aren't going To
• We are there primarily as a consumer protection agency for students, but we're also there to make it.
• That's maybe a sign of the consumer protection side.
• Street, the gentleman that decided to start that school thought if he had an apartment maintenance class
• And then if they want to, then he's got pre-construction industries board additional classes in things

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're opening a kitchen that can be available for the community... classes, where we can have events
• We have since started to do some classes here on and off for screenwriting training here on site.
• And then we have different special tax funds, law enforcement protection funds, and different special
• And the state fire marshal directs the fire marshal law enforcement protection funds from DFA directly
• And also, trying to up that reserve and protect Medicaid.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:47.039> is enforce that rule um what protection is enforce that rule um what protection
• Heat resistance and protection from water intrusion protect the integrity of sensors, brake lines, and
• <00:49:51.720> from heat resistance and protection from heat resistance and protection from
• > Integrity water intrusion protects the Integrity water intrusion protects the Integrity of<00
• improv Landmark groundwater protection improv Landmark groundwater protection legislation<01:11:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation protects the rights of homeowners in planned communities and community associations
• We're told that this bill protects workers, but we should also consider what happens to future workers
• decide it's no longer worth investing in entry-level talent because they have no reasonable way to protect
• This bill amends a second class township code to change the date of completion, filing, and publication
• This bill authorizes townships of the second class to establish municipal memorials honoring first responders

Summary: The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees. The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage. Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders. The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And well, when you first write a thing, you want to protect the consumer.
• Do I have the defenses to protect against AI threats? If AI is vulnerable, how am I defending?
• How are we protecting it?
• We want to protect our AI models because we have seen what China did.
• that protection to all of the nuclear security enterprise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, uh, community substitute to Hospital 4904 provides limited liability protection to property
• It's important to note that this protection applies only to the property owner, not to the instructor
• And just clarification, so this is not absolving the, the instructor or the class, it's just if they're
• So were they want if they were particularly upset by this, they could all band together and file a class
• Members, uh, the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code protects the citizens' First Amendment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the committee substitute to House Bill 4904 provides limited liability protection.
• And just a clarification, so this is not absolving the instructor or the class.
• Or parody are exempted from the bill and protected from liability.
• In similar protection cases, in natural disasters, that creates somewhat of a problem.
• General in these consumer protection cases. All right, see where's the scope?

Bills: HB5621, HB4904, HB5067, HB5076, HB5081, HB5354, HB4862, HB3847, HB4088, HB4157, HB2966, HB2287, HB4203, HB4803, HB4737, HB5093, HB783, HB5411, HB4281

Keywords: HB 5621, consumer protection, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code, attorney general, consumer protection division, district attorney, county attorney, local prosecutor, civil investigative demand, CID, voluntary compliance, financial institution records, bank records, privacy, protective order, in camera review, trade secrets, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• The exemption is narrowly tailored and necessary to protect proprietary business information.
• The bill requires truth in labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, while also protecting consumers
• The bill requires truth in labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs while also protecting consumers
• Milk, poultry, and eggs, while also protecting consumers from increased labeling prices by creating a
• So the Department of Environmental Protection has the primary role of regulating public water systems

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.