Transcript Highlights:

• I wake up every morning hoping to do what's fair, to do justice, and what's being done in one state with
• Before joining JPMorgan Chase, Mr.
• So that's again a technology piece that we're gonna count on you to be able to go chase down, to be able
• I want to cut to the chase though on customer service for a moment if I might.
• And speak as your approach to fraud and improper payments by using technology to trace and chase.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• Enlarge our hearts with charity, enlist us in the struggle for fairness, and may there be peace on our
• I don't think that's fair to them. And I want to make sure that we do this and we do this right.
• They drop their prices and everybody else chases them downward.
• Against their competitors, they drop their prices, and everybody else chases them downward.
• The rich are finally going to pay their fair share.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ballard: Okay, I understand that's fair.
• They just think they are not going to get a fair trial.
• And then you even ask, 'Can you be fair?' right?
• This bill restores basic fairness and due process.
• Texas holds justice and fairness as core values.

Bills: HB285 , HB795 , HB1795 , HB1871 , HB2407 , HB2461 , HB2695 , HB3507 , HB4911 , HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury

Transcript Highlights:

• So the original intention was under the idea that the state fair would still exist where it's located
• We're not going to chase that. Rabbit down the hole, I'm just saying that's what it says here.
• But I don't think that's fair to a lot of people.
• They're not spent; they're not reauthorized because I can't chase the fence for nine years.
• We won't use his theory of Senator Muñoz chasing a fence for nine years.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that fair? I believe that's what the... That's the amendment.
• And that's how we know if you owe or not, to pay your fair share.
• This is a fairness issue. It really is.
• This is a fairness bill, as has been mentioned.
• Chase? In Goodyear, sorry, Chair, Senator Kavanaugh. Thank you. Chase in Goodyear, Arizona.

Bills: HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2174 , HB2256 , HB2289 , HB2477 , HB2903 , HB2939 , HB2979 , HB2996 , HB4103

Committees: Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, insurance regulation, modeling organizations, financial disclosure, rate-making, predictive models, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, taxation, bonds, school finance, budget override, tax increases

Transcript Highlights:

• And the board, in fairness to them, they think their way is most proper.
• One's on the front end with the fair cash value determination.
• I mean, right, the county assessor is still assessing them at fair values.
• I mean, right, the county assessor is still assessing them at fair values.
• And when this property changes hands, it resets at what that fair cash value is, right?

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills and resolutions, many involving taxes, education funding, health policy, and election rules. Representative Newton’s HB 1823, on the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s home-building activities, passed 10-0. Speaker Hilbert’s HB 2425, which would align Oklahoma election dates more closely with Texas and move some elections to March, passed 9-2 after debate about turnout and accountability. HB 4440, requiring Medicaid work requirements to track federal law, passed 10-2 amid discussion of chronic unemployment and the limits of changing Medicaid expansion because it is in the Constitution. HJR 1087, a major proposal to restructure the T-SET tobacco settlement trust and redirect funds toward higher education and related uses, passed 12-0 after extensive debate over venture capital investing, public health spending, and whether the trust should be modernized. The committee also took up several property-tax measures. HJR 1053 would create a revenue-neutral ad valorem framework, requiring local approval for increases beyond prior-year levels; it passed 9-2. HJR 1054 would exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxation, and after questions about scope and possible abuse it passed 9-2. HJR 1044 would lower the annual cap on growth in assessed value for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 2%; it passed 9-2. HB 4145 would raise the homestead exemption from $1,000 to $7,000 and passed 9-1. HJR 1081 would freeze ad valorem taxes for qualifying seniors and passed 8-1. The committee also advanced HB 3891, a county commissioner pay bill, after title was struck and members discussed its impact on small counties; it passed 9-2. Other measures included HB 1770, directing an elk population study by Oklahoma State University, which passed 11-0; HB 1675, requiring youth camps to complete site-specific hazardous assessments, which passed 11-0; HB 3627, allowing the State Committee of Blind Vendors to meet by video conference due to quorum issues, which passed 11-0; HB 3472, expanding tire-recycling fund eligibility, which passed 10-1; and HB 1225, barring changes to the biological sex designation on birth certificates, which passed 8-2 after debate over medical, legal, and equal-protection concerns. The committee also advanced HJR 1019, a heavily amended proposal concerning party nominations for general elections, after striking title and narrowing the scope to federal, state, and county races; it passed 8-1 with two not voting. HB 3462, updating plumbing licensing law and aligning exam standards with other trades, passed 9-0 after title was struck to accommodate further negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only those sponsors of political advertising or electioneering communication, which has a fair market
• We sort of miss— We're all concerned about free and fair elections.
• Representative Chase. “Yeah, thank you, Mia. It’s good to see you again.
• Chase? I do, please, thank you.
• I think it was for $6,000, and I think that is more than fair.

Summary: The committee opened with member introductions and then heard House Bill 2123, which would change Washington’s foreign-national certification requirements for election contributions and political advertising. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would only require certifications for campaigns or sponsors exceeding a $5,500 threshold, with an amendment raising that threshold to $6,000, which would largely limit the requirement to ballot measure activity. Prime sponsor Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon said the current paperwork burden makes campaigns harder without solving a real problem, and that his proposal would preserve protections where federal law does not already cover ballot measures. Testifiers supporting the bill, including campaign treasurers, said the certification requirement is burdensome and ineffective; one witness raised concern that a related repeal provision might unintentionally allow foreign participation in state elections, and staff/leadership indicated follow-up would occur. The hearing on HB 2123 was then suspended and later reopened with additional supportive testimony from campaign professionals and others before the committee moved on to other bills. The committee then took up House Bill 2210 on ranked-choice voting for local elections. Staff said the bill would replace the current top-two primary structure with a top-five process for jurisdictions using ranked-choice voting, allow counties and other local governments to adopt the system through 2032, and set ballot, tabulation, rulemaking, and public education requirements; Seattle would be exempt because it is already moving toward ranked-choice voting. Rep. Gregerson, the sponsor, framed the bill as a temporary tool to protect free and fair elections amid federal uncertainty and potential Voting Rights Act changes. Supporters from Fair Vote Washington, the Washington Bus, Sightline Institute, and others argued ranked-choice voting can improve representation, reduce vote splitting, and help young, military, overseas, and underrepresented voters. Opponents, including Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, county auditors, and several citizens, said the system is confusing, costly, harder to audit, and may increase ballot rejection or lower participation, especially among communities of color and voters with limited English proficiency. The committee heard extensive debate but took no final action during the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2411, which expands the state shared leave program to cover employees who are victims of hate crimes or whose absences stem from immigration enforcement actions affecting themselves or family members. Rep. Osman Salahuddin said the bill responds to real cases where state workers faced detention or family separation and could not use shared leave under current law. OFM, the Office of Equity, and the Washington Federation of State Employees supported the bill, describing it as a humane, low-cost way to help employees remain employed during traumatic disruptions. A Republican member asked whether the change would apply to people not legally present or working under a visa; witnesses said they believed it would not, or would be extremely unlikely, and would follow state hiring documentation requirements. The hearing then closed on HB 2411. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2281 on government-to-government consultation with tribes regarding state actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places. Staff said the bill would require mutually agreed consultation processes, timely notice, meaningful consultation before action, and a heightened legal standard requiring the state to show a compelling interest and least restrictive means if it would burden tribal cultural practices; tribes could sue in superior court. Rep. Chris Stearns said the bill is intended to protect Native identity, sacred sites, and religious practices from further loss, while tribal leaders and faith advocates strongly supported it as enforceable protection for sacred places and sovereignty. Some business and industry groups said they supported the goal but worried the bill’s broad definitions and cause of action could create permitting uncertainty, project delays, and significant costs, especially for clean energy and industrial projects. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2206, which would adopt the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; supporters said it would streamline absentee voting for overseas and military voters, while opponents argued it could allow never-residents or duplicate registrations and raised constitutional concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's chasing the American dream, not changing definitions.
• Allow them the opportunity to chase this American dream.
• the opportunity to chase this American dream.
• Madam Chair, again, Senator, to be fair, I haven't followed the executive order.
• Madam Chair, again, Senator, to be fair, I haven't followed the executive order.

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.

Transcript Highlights:

• This means fair wages for working families in California, being a strong champion for all Californians
• After he returned from the Army with an honorable discharge, he spent the next few years chasing his
• He was drawn to all causes that promoted justice and fairness, with an emphasis on veterans' advocacy
• After he returned from the Army with an honorable discharge, he spent the next few years chasing his
• He was drawn to all causes that promoted justice and fairness with an emphasis on veterans advocacy.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and handled routine announcements and motions, including a request by Senator Arreguín to remove SB 239 from the inactive file for second reading. The chamber then took up SJR 9 by Senator Durazo, a resolution concerning immigration rates, which was debated briefly and placed on call before later amendments were adopted by a 29-10 vote. The Senate next considered SR 70 by Senator Pérez, commemorating the third anniversary of the Monterey Park tragedy. Senator Pérez and Senator Rubio spoke about the 11 lives lost, the injuries, the heroism of Brandon Tsay, and the need to remember the victims and support the community. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0, after which Senator Pérez introduced Monterey Park Mayor Elizabeth Yang on the floor. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment memories honoring Mary Gutierrez Hunter, labor activist Bob Mulholland, former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand, and Vietnamese American community leader Vu von Locke. Senators described each person’s public service, organizing work, and lasting impact on labor, veterans, local government, refugee resettlement, and community institutions. The Senate also announced the Appropriations Committee would meet shortly after adjournment and noted the next floor session would be held Monday, January 26, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT? >> Sen.
• IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT? >> Sen. Simon: THAT IS CORRECT. >> Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR.
• EXAMINATIONS OR DON'T GET CONCORDANT SCORES AND OUTSPENDING MUCH OF THE REST OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CHASING
• REALLY SUPPORT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE STUDENTS TO HAVE A WELL-ROUNDED 12TH GRADE AND NOT JUST BE CHASING

Transcript Highlights:

• And the problem is that they're still chasing these enhanced platforms, right?
• And so I think that idea that it was going to make schooling equal and fair was something that...
• And so I think that idea that it was going to make schooling equal and fair was something that today
• And we're chasing the test, which I think we all... Thank you.
• And we're chasing the test, which I think we all can agree that we should be using instruction time to

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will continue to show respect, and in fairness, I have received respect from Mike, Senator Hughes,
• However, when so many of us said, "hell no," it does not sound like a fair process to me.
• Does not make it morally correct or fair.
• The government will use the police forces and military forces to chase them down.
• SB 4 stands to weaken their voices and threatens their access to fair representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have not, but to be fair, I have reached out to him several times, but he was chasing an emu last time
• I've heard a lot of things; chasing an emu is a first.
• I have not, but to be fair, I have reached out to him several times, but he was chasing an emu last time
• I've heard a lot of things chasing an emu is a first.
• And I realize that's a hypothetical question without a fair answer.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted House Bill 2309, Representative Jones’ Oregon Harvesting bill, do pass by a vote of 13 ayes and no nays. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 1881, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance. Representative Bill Allen said the bill is intended to address xylazine’s role in fentanyl-related overdoses, improve tracking and enforcement, and preserve legitimate veterinary use through carve-outs. A veterinarian from the University of Missouri testified in support, emphasizing xylazine’s long-standing and safe veterinary use and the need to protect agricultural practice while targeting illicit diversion. No opposition was presented, and testimony on the bill concluded. The committee then heard House Bill 1855, which would add alpha-gal syndrome to Missouri’s reportable conditions and create a reporting/surveillance framework. Sponsor Representative Matthew Overcast said the bill was revised to shift reporting from providers to private labs, create a standalone non-communicable disease reporting section, and support data collection for prevalence, education, and federal funding opportunities. Supporters included a lobbyist for the AlphaGal Alliance, a University of Missouri dermatologist/researcher, Extension staff, cattle industry representatives, and multiple patients and family members who described severe dietary restrictions, anxiety, school and work impacts, and the need for better public awareness and treatment research. Opponents argued the bill’s language would expand DHSS authority too broadly, especially the provision allowing the department to designate and enforce rules for noncommunicable diseases, and suggested narrowing the bill and adding opt-in protections. No vote was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2355, Representative Holly Jones’ “food as medicine” bill. Jones argued that nutrition should be treated as a public health intervention and described medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling as tools that can improve outcomes and reduce costs. In questions, members raised concerns about how the proposal would interact with existing food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, school meals, and other federal nutrition benefits, and whether the bill would create a new entitlement or duplicate existing aid. The hearing on HB 2355 was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to be fair and equitable. We need to be constitutional.
• We need to be fair and equitable. We need to be constitutional.
• So, you're going to see this as an evolutionary body of law that we're going to continue to chase the
• So, you're going to see this as an evolutionary body of law that we're going to continue to chase the
• And I think that's a fair statement for debate. debate. debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the natural state of the legislature to chase technology that is out of control.
• </c> state of the legislature to chase state of the legislature to chase technology<00:37:36.560><c>
• We should jump forward instead of chasing.
• ><01:19:35.280><c> believe</c><01:19:35.520><c> in</c> fair I absolutely uh believe in fair I absolutely
• fair prevailing wage fair things around fair prevailing wage fair wage<01:20:20.640><c> um</c><01:20

Bills: HF3661 , HF2380 , HF3468 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a fair characterization, Kim? That is a very fair assessment.
• So they get together, stay together until they're chased, and then you've got cars fleeing in multiple
• So they get together, stay together until they're chased, and then you've got cars fleeing in multiple
• </c><01:30:32.480><c> so</c><01:30:32.679><c> they</c><01:30:32.800><c> get</c> together until chased
• So I'm trying to create space for those cases where that situation would not be a fair situation.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to be very fair in that.
• And I just think that's not fair to the victims.
• I think that's a fair range. Yes.
• I think that's a fair range. Yes.
• It's not fair to me. Thank you very much. We'll do one other. Is there anybody else in favor?

Committees: House Judiciary , House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're in the chase part of the program. There's the pay, and we're the chase.
• We're chasing down those dollars that get away from the system.
• So we're always going to be paying and chasing.
• That chase piece.
• chasing the dollar than the dollar you're going to get in the end.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• .while ensuring that we draw a bright line, that discipline stays human-centered and grounded in fairness
• Chase. Representative Chase votes nay, do not pass. Representative Callan votes aye.
• Representative Chase votes nay, do not pass. Couture.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• and I had a constituent email me at Sportsmen in Idaho, concerned about thermals, that it was not fair
• chase.
• and I had a constituent email me at Sportsmen in Idaho, concerned about thermals, that it was not fair
• chase.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment