Transcript Highlights:

• For borrowers, the barriers are equally steep.
• It's to increase the access of the disaster rebuilding fund are really twofold.
• Finding forms to access, as you say, disaster funds.
• How do people get access? I think it was through EDD and a hearing.
• . ...grantees are not all created equal.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many people in these areas face language access challenges and barriers.
• Many people in these areas face language access challenges and barriers.
• People drive to work, school, to access health care, and other basic services.
• AB 2734 helps achieve in expanding access and opportunity.
• Communities that have never had access to the coast showing up for the first time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting, codify existing CEQA exemptions for recharge diversions, and help California capture flood flows for storage in aquifers. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it or sought amendments, warning about CEQA, streambed, Delta, and tribal-resource concerns. The bill was held open pending a quorum. Members then heard AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy use and related information to the Energy Commission and local agencies. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and support grid planning. Data center industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while several environmental and local-government groups supported or supported if amended. The bill was left with a due-pass recommendation once a quorum was present. The committee also took up AB 2245 on producer responsibility for vehicle lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental protections in overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation/VMT analysis, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects, and AB 2433 on density bonus housing incentives. Each bill drew a mix of support from sponsors, local agencies, labor, housing, or environmental justice groups and opposition or concerns from business, local government, or conservation organizations. Several measures were amended in committee, and multiple bills were reported out on due-pass or due-pass-as-amended votes, with some roll calls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And hopefully, if needed, the soil and water districts can help access some of this funding.
• At Samir, we take young people outdoors because access to nature should never be a privilege.
• Thank you. ...protected and accessible. That's why HB 271 matters.
• I grew up in Pecos, where access to public lands is ingrained in our culture.
• I grew up in Pecos where access to public lands is ingrained in our culture.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• The balance of power between co-equal branches of government must be maintained.
• Our constituents are increasingly engaging in the legislative process online and expect ample access
• And also, we will hire an outside independent equal employment opportunity officer.
• “Our audit will include but not be limited to the review of access to budgetary, hiring, spending, and
• Review of access to budgetary, hiring, spending, and procurement information.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 58, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The chamber adopted a further amendment offered by Rep. Michael Witts of Boston, then concurred with the Senate as amended after a roll call vote of 128-23. The House then moved to the orders of the day and considered the proposed permanent joint rules for the 2025-2026 session (House No. 2026 / Senate No. 18), with Rep. Moran of Brighton presenting the package as a set of transparency and process reforms, including joint committee procedures, a 60-day reporting deadline, public posting of summaries and testimony, and revised formal session timing. A series of minority amendments offered largely by Rep. Jones of North Reading and others were debated and repeatedly rejected, including proposals to require roll call votes for post-July 31 formal business, require two weeks’ notice for such sessions, publish State Auditor audits on the legislative website, require SJC advisory opinions on constitutional disputes, extend poll windows to two hours, require advance notice of electronic polls, and lengthen amendment filing deadlines. Supporters argued these changes would improve transparency, accountability, and member access; opponents said they would slow the legislative process and reduce flexibility. Most of these amendments failed on roll call votes by margins of 128-23 or similar, while a technical amendment from Rep. Galvin was adopted. The House then adopted the joint rules package by roll call, 128-23. The chamber also adopted the House rules package for the 2025-2026 session (House No. 2024) after debate led by Rep. Galvin of Canton, who emphasized modernization, online transparency, in-person participation, and an outside audit and EEO officer. Additional minority amendments on committee reporting, timing of formal business, and poll procedures were debated and defeated, while one technical amendment was adopted. The House later returned to the issue of legislative audits, rejecting an amendment to require House audits by the State Auditor after a lengthy debate over Question 1, separation of powers, and the scope of the auditor’s authority. The session ended with a memorial tribute to former Rep. Carol Doherty and an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do I substantiate my claim without access to the information necessary to make it...?
• to explore that because it's almost creating an impossible standard in a complaint if I can't get access
• So, somebody who is in law enforcement would have... a law enforcement officer would have access to that
• I mean you're creating an equal protection issue for no reason.
• Because we—if all were equal, then it would be good, but that's not the case.

Bills: SB156, SB134, SB108, SB47, SB88, SB89, SB106, SB18, SB9, HB38, HB54

Keywords: habitual felony offender, resentencing, Alabama Department of Corrections, victim notification, criminal justice reform, life sentences, parole eligibility, pardon, parole, law enforcement, GPS monitoring, data sharing, mail theft, stolen mail, criminal penalties, personally identifying information, felony, misdemeanor, expungement, criminal records

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to this and this is what you can and can't do.
• For borrowers, the barriers are equally steep.
• Finding forms to access, as you say, disaster funds.
• How do people get access?
• We have grantees that have been very successful... ...grantees are not created equal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:12.880> And access to one actually choose it.
• And access to one actually choose it.
• This is an attempt to control access, suppress oversight, and manipulate the narrative.
• /c><01:59:49.040> with<01:59:49.199> my denied access to meet with my denied access to
• , is is an attempt to control access, is is an attempt to control access, suppress<01:59:57.440><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:19.040> The application to access those dollars.
• The application to access those dollars.
• group that's equally concerned. group that's equally concerned.
• But, um, we did have access to the resources we needed to get it done.
• But, um, we did have access to the resources we needed to get it done.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion broadly around whether school building aid should remain a state program, how to address limited revenues, and whether the current system should continue to prioritize debt service and the existing formula or move toward a different model such as per-pupil allocations, a dedicated fund, or a split between new construction and renovation. He also raised questions about whether leasing should be included and how to manage any new fund under current law and the school building authority structure. Representatives and department staff discussed the current backlog of applications, the age and condition of school facilities, and the possibility that large projects can consume available funding for a year while other districts go unsupported. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities introduced himself and provided technical context on the program and current debt levels. Representative Luneau argued that under the ConVal decision, the state’s responsibility includes school buildings, construction, and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property wealth. He noted that construction and renovation have long been recognized categories and asked about leasing, which staff said is already supported in statute for charter schools and possibly CTE, with a cap of 30% of annual lease cost or $50,000. The discussion also covered CTE facilities: staff explained that capital funding for CTE centers is state-funded, that federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction, and that the current rotational capital model means only a few centers are funded each year, which may not match changing program needs. A committee studying CTE capital needs was referenced, along with concerns that the report from that work had not yet been received. Representative Papich urged the subcommittee to focus on policy, principles, and structure rather than just numbers, saying the current system produces a few winners and many districts that never receive aid. He favored a simpler, more equitable per-capita or formula-based approach, while acknowledging the need for a transition plan for projects already in the pipeline. The chair later cautioned against mixing maintenance and operations with construction and renovation, noting that operation and maintenance are already part of the adequacy formula and should not be confused with capital funding. No votes were taken during the meeting; the discussion was exploratory, with members and staff laying out competing approaches and identifying issues for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers deserve equal protection under the law.
• <02:49:54.480> All<02:49:54.760> work equal protection under the law.
• All work equal protection under the law.
• <03:16:57.840> I'm<03:16:57.960> not ac- accessible to overtime.
• I'm not ac- accessible to overtime.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So everybody's treated equally. That's my thoughts. Thank you. Any other debate?
• The five are that the pool must be isolated from access from a home by an enclosure that meets the pool
• The fourth option: all doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with
• But have we ever contemplated that not all condos are created equally, and that not all condos should
• So immediately following this meeting, Secretary Griffin from DBPR has been incredibly accessible to

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:55.840> to across the state for access to across the state for access to tellahalth
• It's not going to be equal.
• treat people fairly treat people equally treat people fairly treat people equally because<01:10:
• <01:12:48.159> to extremely difficult to get access to extremely difficult to get access to
• It provides healthcare access fund.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Knowing that we are a legislature with 101 Democrats, 100 Republicans, but equally tied in the state
• Knowing that we are a legislature with 101 Democrats, 100 Republicans, but equally tied in the state
• Knowing that we are a legislature with 101 Democrats, 100 Republicans, but equally tied in the state
• We will pay for two more years of reinsurance: the first year out of the health care access fund in the
• And it is personal and it is visceral and it is warranted. lives were saved because of access to lives

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• identified two drainage ditches that both my equipment and my cattle were regularly trudging through to access
• And my cattle were regularly trudging through to access pasture, and so they helped me install three
• assessment requirements, and clean water-funded programs and every practice we implement, we report equally
• 58.880> any<00:42:59.119> other<00:42:59.359> agency<00:42:59.720> or equally
• as much as any other agency or equally as much as any other agency or any<00:43:00.040> other

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1171, access dual and warm notice, Health and Human Services.
• SB 1115, appropriation, behavioral health access, remote work prohibition.
• SB 1116, access claim reviews, behavioral health. SB 1117, appropriations, GPS crime laws.
• SB 1122, access prior authorization, behavioral health.
• SB 1122, access prior authorization, behavioral health.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the potential for easier access for folks.
• Well, the potential for easier access for folks.
• payment for equal work, so to speak, or equal patient risk.
• payment for equal work, so to speak, or equal patient risk.
• <01:56:57.560> tax long time that worked on the access tax long time that worked on the access

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when it comes to enrolled members, historically enrolled members have access to all the areas within
• I'm the director of tax equalization for Benson County. I've been with the county nearly 18 years.
• Any other questions about the role of the assessor, the Director of Tax Equalization?
• We've seen a 266% increase in members accessing residential SUD treatment services.
• in members accessing outpatient services in that time frame.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank his staff and his chief of staff, Abby Raines, for always being so accessible.
• Program access matters. The Omni is key to our strategy.
• Midland needs access to the same tools as other cities.
• Why does Midland need access to a second qualified hotel?
• I spoke earlier on HB2313 and our request to access or to gain access to the financial benefits available

Bills: HB249, HB 1186, HB2313, HB2408, HB2508, HB2730, HB2974, HB3045, HB3232, HB3336, HB3710, HB4044, HB4236, HJR133, HB249

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• with legal support and access as well. with legal support and access as well.
• <00:46:44.000> Equally Equally essential is listening to our students.
• <00:58:06.319> to we're making learning accessible to we're making learning accessible to
• Our community accessible and responsive.
• <01:25:32.239> on federal regulations are they equal on federal regulations are they equal

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's designed to ensure that all children, especially those with disabilities Can access high-quality
• Families are still struggling to access care, and we cannot afford any delays.
• For families to access adequately funded and staffed child care programs, we need reimbursement rates
• These reforms would stabilize the workforce, improve care and accessibility, and ensure families can
• And so, those range of services are not provided equally, you could say, across every county because

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the remainder will be distributed as follows: 90% will go to a transitional escrow account, which equals
• addition to the $50 million increase in hospital assessments, the Commonwealth will contribute an equal
• crisis, ensuring stability for providers who care for our most vulnerable patients and preserving access

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several routine and ceremonial matters first, including a resolution honoring the Solomon Northup Committee and commemorating the arrival of the Solomon Northup sculpture in Boston, which was adopted. Members also adopted an order extending the Revenue Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 4606, concurred in a Senate sick leave bank petition for Jeffrey Yatson, and suspended Joint Rule 12 for a similar sick leave bank petition for Jean McCarran. The House then advanced House No. 4413, a bill on the terms of certain Commonwealth bonds, to third reading and later passed it to be engrossed. The main floor debate centered on House No. 4601, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The bill was described as a $2.25 billion supplemental budget with a net Commonwealth cost of about $750 million, covering MassHealth, snow and ice deficiencies, Home Base, universal school meals, reproductive health care supports, a sports and entertainment fund, and other items. The bill also included outside sections on public health and finance, and it ratified seven collective bargaining agreements. The House adopted Amendment 70, which added Health Safety Net funding measures, including higher hospital assessments and a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, after supporters said it would help avert a projected shortfall and generate federal Medicaid revenue. A separate amendment on Home Base eligibility was rejected. The House also adopted a consolidated amendment that included provisions affecting western and central Massachusetts municipal health insurance costs and changes to violent injury benefit language for first responders, including clarifying the definition of a weapon and tightening the standard for covered injuries. Another consolidated amendment was adopted by roll call, and the bill itself was then passed to be engrossed by a recorded vote. The session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of former House members Thomas and George, which was agreed to before adjournment.