Transcript Highlights:

• passing of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, this was actually passed during a trifecta, where the Republican
• trifecta uh passed with um during a trifecta uh where<00:57:42.280><c> the</c><00:57:42.400><c> Republican
• </c><00:57:43.000><c> Party</c><00:57:43.240><c> had</c><00:57:43.440><c> control</c> where the Republican
• Party had control where the Republican Party had control of<00:57:44.240><c> all</c><00:57:44.440><c

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• committees, and C committees, depending on how much you pony up in campaign money to your coffers to the Republican
• committees, and C committees, depending on how much you pony up in campaign money to your coffers to the Republican
• He had a Republican colleague from Florida who were doing one they were trying to stop, prohibit members
• Supreme</c><01:35:32.920><c> Court</c> Funded by one group that I think you would say is very clearly Republican-tilting

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I made a commitment, and more Republicans made a commitment, that we will start looking at that and
• c><01:12:44.000><c> other</c> commitment and mo you know other commitment and mo you know other Republicans
• 44.960><c> a</c><01:12:45.080><c> commitment</c><01:12:45.520><c> that</c><01:12:45.639><c> we</c> Republicans
• made a commitment that we Republicans made a commitment that we will<01:12:45.960><c> start</c><01:12

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 14 Republicans and 10 Democrats in the committee.
• Ripple extremely capable of talking to the Democrats and to the Republicans.
• Ripple extremely capable of talking to the Democrats and to the Republicans.
• Ripple extremely capable of talking to the Democrats and to the Republicans about what kind of analysis

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republican Caucus will meet at 10:15 tomorrow morning in room 145. Women's Caucus.
• </c><02:34:21.320><c> The</c><02:34:21.520><c> Republican</c> Caucus announcements.
• The Republican Caucus announcements. The Republican Caucus.
• Speaker, the Republican Caucus will Mr.
• Speaker, the Republican Caucus will meet<02:34:27.880><c> at</c><02:34:28.040><c> 10:15</c> meet at 10

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 34.239><c> um,</c><03:20:35.120><c> that's</c><03:20:35.359><c> the</c><03:20:35.600><c> same</c> Republicans
• And, um, that's the same Republicans.
• I'm going to ask if the Republicans on the committee will hang around for about two minutes after everybody
• </c><04:47:53.120><c> ask</c><04:47:53.600><c> if</c><04:47:54.000><c> the</c><04:47:54.480><c> Republicans
• </c><04:47:55.280><c> on</c> I'm going to ask if the Republicans on I'm going to ask if the Republicans

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans from both chambers and is one of the places where
• Democrats,<03:10:34.880><c> unaffiliates,</c> Democrats, unaffiliates, Democrats, unaffiliates, Republicans
• , Republicans, Republicans, all<03:10:38.560><c> asking</c><03:10:39.040><c> you</c><03:10:39.680><c>
• constituents, regardless of whether constituents, regardless of whether they're<05:16:53.320><c> Republican
• ,</c><05:16:54.080><c> Democrat,</c> they're Republican, Democrat, they're Republican, Democrat, unaffiliate

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the committee, we are 10 to 8, 10 Republicans and 8 Democrats.
• a floor debate. but um we will um have Dem caucuses and but um we will um have Dem caucuses and Republican
• ><c> caucuses</c><00:26:57.080><c> outside</c><00:26:57.559><c> of</c><00:26:57.799><c> the</c> Republican
• caucuses outside of the Republican caucuses outside of the hearings<00:26:58.720><c> and</c><00:26:58.919
• will do the same but um last Republicans will do the same but um last two<00:27:08.799><c> years</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, colleagues, I had to get down here real quick because our Republican colleagues hadn't come up in
• </c> real quick um because our Republican real quick um because our Republican colleagues<02:33:10.640
• Uh, colleagues, I had to get down here real quick because our Republican colleagues hadn't come up in
• I want to thank my Republican colleague from Grand Junction for his partnership and leadership through
• </c><05:14:27.280><c> colleague</c> I want to thank my Republican colleague I want to thank my Republican

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each party, Democrat and Republican, should have the ability to appoint who they want to sit on this
• The Republican appointees and the Democrat appointees will remain the same in number.
• </c><05:55:30.760><c> appointees</c><05:55:31.280><c> and</c><05:55:31.440><c> the</c> the Republican
• appointees and the the Republican appointees and the Democrat<05:55:32.040><c> appointees</c><05:55:
• side for the Republican appointees it's the<05:57:14.680><c> House</c><05:57:14.878><c> minority</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But suddenly on October 2nd, 2018, as Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, and that left the Republican
• Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, and that left the Republican Party in a lurch.
• The election was, I think, on November the 6th, and so by October 9th of that year, the Republican Party
• It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue because both parties have individuals who have served
• And listen, the people on the Miami Beach Commission are not all Democrats; there are Republicans on

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to fallen service members. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar focused on a series of bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief explanations and floor debate. Several bills were temporarily postponed, but the body took up and passed multiple others, often substituting identical House companions before final passage. The first major measure, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, drew extensive supportive debate from senators who described debate as a civic skill that builds confidence, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, especially for students in public schools and underserved communities. An amendment creating a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, expanding access through public-private partnerships, and establishing coach training was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1072 creating an Anti-Semitism Task Force, with a late-filed amendment clarifying that the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is not intended to infringe First Amendment rights; that bill also passed 37-0. Other measures passed included a PFAS bill phasing out firefighting foam containing forever chemicals and setting testing, reporting, and enforcement requirements; an expansion of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program; student health and safety legislation expanding seizure-response training in schools; updates to funeral and cemetery regulation; protected cell captive insurance company legislation aimed at increasing insurance market capacity; nonprofit corporation updates; child welfare reforms streamlining foster-care medication approvals and related procedures; salvage title/e-signature changes; and forensic client services changes allowing certain APD clients to be housed with other secure forensic residents. Most of these bills were passed after substituting House companions and received unanimous votes. The most contentious debate came on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Senator Yarborough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI practices he described as discriminatory or ideological, while several amendments sought to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances such as LGBTQ Pride Month. Those amendments were rejected, and debate continued on the bill’s scope and exemptions, but the transcript ends before final disposition of SB 1134 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But suddenly on October 2nd, 2018, as Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, and that left the Republican
• Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, and that left the Republican Party in a lurch.
• The election was, I think, on November 6th, and so by October 9th of that year, the Republican Party
• It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue because both parties have individuals who have served
• They're Republicans on there. And here's what their unified letter said.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a lengthy special order calendar. Early business included unanimous passage of CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, with supporters describing it as a way to expand access to debate programs statewide, create a Hall of Fame, support public-private partnerships, and train coaches. The bill drew broad bipartisan praise for teaching civics, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, and passed 37-0 after adoption of a delete-all amendment. The Senate also passed SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force after clarifying amendment language stating the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is consistent with First Amendment protections; members emphasized rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for recommendations on prevention, law enforcement training, and community relations. The chamber then approved CS/CS/SB 1230 / HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals, phasing out firefighting foam containing PFAS, requiring reporting and biosolid testing, and authorizing DEP rulemaking, assistance, and enforcement; the bill was described as protecting firefighters and water supplies and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. Senators also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training in schools, SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 creating protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 778 on forensic services for certain defendants. Most of these bills were taken up with identical House companions, no amendments, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most extended and contentious debate centered on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Sponsor Senator Yarbrough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several local governments. Multiple amendments were offered, including proposals to narrow the bill to spending, add an intent requirement for penalties, and broaden exceptions for holidays and observances; these amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor did accept some clarifying changes, including language protecting certain nonprofit services, heritage resources, and the Pulse Memorial, and he answered questions about Black History Month and at-risk youth services. The transcript ends while the Senate is still working through the amendment process on SB 1134, with no final vote on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• But suddenly, on October 2, 2018, as Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, that left the Republican Party
• The election was, I think, on November 6 of that year, and so by October 9, the Republican Party chose
• It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue because both parties have individuals who have served
• There are Republicans on there. And here's what their unified letter said.
• They're Republicans on there. And here's what their unified letter said.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency. The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously. The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate. The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But suddenly on October 2, 2018, as Dorothy Hucco passed away suddenly, that left the Republican Party
• The election was, I think, on November 6th, and so by October 9th of that year, the Republican Party
• It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, because both parties have individuals who have served
• It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue because both parties have individuals who have served
• There are Republicans on there. And here's what their unified letter said.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess I just need one more Republican. >> Okay, Lily. [laughter] >> So, what you might do?
• So, and I hate to do this to you, but as a good Republican, I really don't like saying to someone, you
• , but<04:03:53.120><c> as</c><04:03:53.359><c> a</c><04:03:53.520><c> good</c><04:03:53.680><c> Republican
• /c><04:03:54.720><c> I</c><04:03:55.120><c> really</c><04:03:55.439><c> don't</c> but as a good Republican
• , I really don't but as a good Republican, I really don't like<04:03:56.880><c> making</c><04:03:57.680

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is not a Republican, Democrat issue; this is an issue of humanity, and if we could be the
• I think this is not a Republican, Democrat, this is an issue of humanity, and if we could be the leaders

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the winner of the 6th through 8th grade division of a poster contest put on by the Mandeville Republican
• is the winner of the 6th through 8th grade division of a poster contest put on by the Mandeville Republican

Bills: HR295 , HR296 , HR297 , HR298 , HR299 , HR300 , HR301 , HR302 , HR303 , HR304 , HR305 , HR306 , HR307 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HR286 , HR287 , HR288 , HR290 , HR291 , HR292 , HR293 , HR294 , SCR61 , SCR68 , SB121 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , SB268 , SB283 , SB414 , HCR98 , HR179 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB74 , HB108 , HB956 , HB1085 , HB1137 , HB75 , SB39 , SB99 , SB111 , SB112 , SB124 , SB134 , SB174 , SB189 , SB190 , SB201 , SB233 , SB236 , SB258 , SB270 , SB273 , SB288 , SB307 , SB313 , SB320 , SB321 , SB325 , SB326 , SB331 , SB339 , SB341 , SB345 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB357 , SB359 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB419 , SB422 , SB426 , SB435 , SB437 , SB440 , SB451 , SB464 , SB470 , SB487 , SB488 , SB495 , SB504 , SB505 , SB518 , SB523 , HR84 , HB646 , HB998 , HB1191 , SB78 , SB81 , SB97 , SB100 , SB109 , SB123 , SB125 , SB208 , SB385 , SB479 , SB56 , SB163 , SB197 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: Energy Caucus, Louisiana House of Representatives, energy policy, fossil fuels, oil and gas, natural gas, renewable energy, solar, wind power, nuclear power, legislative caucus, industry group, economic development, state legislature, House resolution, energy sector, victims' services, criminal justice, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Act No. 370

Summary: The House met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present, and began with prayer, the pledge, leave requests, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and groups at the Capitol, including early education advocates, a poster contest winner, Entergy’s River Bend Nuclear Station on its 40th anniversary, a Children’s Miracle Network champion, Community Action leaders, and Leadership Tangipahoa participants. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrollment reports, a conference committee report on Senate Bill 149 that was allowed to lie over, and a long list of House resolutions and Senate bills that were either introduced, referred, or set aside for later consideration. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including measures recognizing Early Education Day, World Preeclampsia Awareness Day, Dora’s Voyager, Tourism Day, and National Mississippi River Day, while House Concurrent Resolution 98 on SNAP grocery delivery fees failed on reconsideration by a vote of 46 yeas to 39 nays. The House then took up a series of Senate bills. Among the measures passed were SB 39 on provisional massage therapist licenses; SB 111 on freshwater recreational fish limits in the Atchafalaya Basin; SB 124 on peer review confidentiality for health systems; SB 134 on child sexual abuse material and sexting involving minors under 17; SB 99 on electronic DEQ notifications; SB 190 on special-focus nursing facilities; SB 201 on juvenile life-without-parole sentencing procedures; SB 233 on a statewide data exchange compact; SB 236 on annual kidney disease reporting; SB 258 on juvenile traffic offenses; SB 270 on medical marijuana use by terminally ill patients in health care facilities; SB 273 on hospice care requirements; SB 307 on educational displays and a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds; SB 320 on CODIS hit tracking; SB 321 on electronic bonds; SB 325 on excluding threatening persons from sports wagering; SB 331 on temporary exceptions to the Scenic Rivers Act for lower Pearl River Basin work; SB 339 on gaming-related background checks; SB 345 on annual OJJ reporting; SB 346 and SB 347 on deepfake misuse in schools and on campuses; SB 357 on judiciary cleanup provisions; SB 359 on hospital district commissioner terms; SB 387 on pharmacy benefit managers; SB 393 on explosives regulation; SB 401 creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board; SB 415 creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; SB 419 on pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer hunting; SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain repeat DWI offenders; SB 426 on the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority and peer support credentials; SB 435 creating a Commission on Fatherhood Engagement; SB 437 on licensed treatment services in facilities housing judicially referred residents; SB 440 creating a Renaissance District in Rapides Parish; SB 451 on newborn hearing screening and intervention; SB 464 on severe obesity treatment coverage; SB 470 on pregnancy-related rules in correctional facilities; SB 487 on gaming premises rental agreements; and SB 488 creating a school safety drone response pilot program. Several bills were returned to the calendar for later action, including SB 189 on atmospheric releases affecting weather and climate, SB 326, SB 341, SB 353, and SB 495. A number of bills drew debate over policy and fiscal effects. SB 112 on school release time for religious instruction prompted questions about public-school participation, sponsoring entities, and parental consent; SB 189 on prohibiting intentional atmospheric release of substances for climate or weather modification passed 75-21 after questions about aircraft fuel dumping and agricultural exceptions; SB 201 on juvenile sentencing led to discussion of Supreme Court precedent and appellate review; SB 233 raised privacy concerns about interagency data sharing; SB 313 on electronic filing fees in criminal matters was criticized as a possible unfunded mandate and failed 25-68; and SB 451 on newborn hearing screening drew questions about board expansion, Medicaid coverage, and added administrative costs before passing 94-1. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, and the House repeatedly adopted motions to table reconsideration after final passage votes. The chamber also announced it would stop debate at 5:00 p.m. and continued working through Senate bills as the Natural Resources Committee finished its meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I said, this is a law passed by a Republican legislature, signed by a Democratic governor.
• would love to be here celebrating the amazing budget that Governor Evers and your leadership, the Republicans

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did good, Tess, who is the new Republican Caucus consultant for this committee. Welcome, Tess.
• Who is the new Republican Caucus consultant for this committee? Welcome, Tess.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public employment. AB 1601, by Assemblymember Rogers, would give Sonoma County flexibility to work with its retirement board and actuaries on a possible retiree cost-of-living adjustment; supporters said Sonoma is the only 1937 Act county system without an automatic COLA and that retirees have gone since 2008 without an increase, while no opposition testified. The bill passed on a do-pass vote and was placed on the floor. AB 1729, by Assemblymember Lee, would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans, adding more structure before return-to-office decisions, and restoring public reporting on telework savings. Supporters, including SEIU Local 1000, the Association of California State Supervisors, and many state workers, argued telework improves productivity, reduces emissions and commute costs, and could save the state about $225 million annually; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 6-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations. AB 1630, by Assemblymember Colosa, would allow union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions, including remotely, to increase transparency and engagement. UC and CSU opposed the measure, saying observer rules should be negotiated at the table and warning the bill lacked clear limits on the number of observers and could create logistical and security problems. The bill passed 5-0 with one member not voting and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1750, also by Assemblymember Colosa, would require school employees who exhaust sick leave and are absent due to illness or injury to receive full salary for an additional five months. CTA supported the bill as a needed safety net for teachers and classified staff, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, staffing, and student stability concerns, saying it could encourage longer absences and strain already tight budgets. The committee passed the bill 5-0 and sent it to Higher Education. AB 1896, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public employment, with supporters framing it as a response to ICE and Border Patrol actions and opponents warning it was overbroad and could exclude otherwise qualified applicants from law enforcement jobs; the bill passed 5-1 and was referred to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as conservatives, as Republicans, most of us in this chamber, we've talked over the years about reining
• So as conservatives, as Republicans, most of us in this chamber, we've talked over the years about reining

Keywords: 959, house, all