Transcript Highlights:

• In ways big and small, noticed and unnoticed, you inspire our communities.
• Gloria is the first Latinx person elected to the Davis City Council.
• Rowe operates a small farm on the. where she was born, growing alfalfa.
• Sophia Betancourt has deep roots in the city of Corona.
• Originally from Mexico City, she now calls California home.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not familiar with the sister city program. We don't have any sister state relationship.
• </c> sister cities with Ireland? sister cities with Ireland?
• I'm not familiar with the sister<00:12:43.680><c> city</c><00:12:44.000><c> program.
• program.
• We don't have any sister city program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism heard three measures. HB 450, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, drew support from DBEDT, the State Foundation, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, DAGs, and individuals. Members asked about the bill’s purpose and the relationship between arts administration and international/cultural considerations. The committees voted to pass HB 450 with amendments, including a housekeeping change allowing specific legislative direction in narrow cases; the measure was adopted with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. HB 437, relating to out-of-state offices, received testimony in support from DBEDT and representatives of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and another individual. The discussion focused on whether an overseas office in the Philippines was the best use of funds, given existing offices and trade relationships in places like Beijing and Taiwan. Members questioned the return on investment, fiscal priorities, and whether DBEDT had a broader strategic plan for selecting markets. The committees ultimately passed HB 437 with a Senate Draft 1 and technical amendments, with some members voting with reservations. HB 1391, relating to trade and creating a Hawaii-Ireland trade commission, also advanced after a lengthy discussion. DBEDT said it offered comments rather than a firm recommendation and explained that the bill appeared intended to build economic ties with Europe through Ireland, but members questioned why a commission was needed, how it would be structured, and whether similar efforts should focus on other countries. DBEDT said it would provide reports on sister-state relationships and office performance, and noted that trade initiatives would likely require private-sector participation. The committees passed HB 1391 with amendments and reservations from some members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we've activated programs such as our life watch program.
• The Legacy Fund supports this program and the Trails Plus program at the Outdoor Recreation.
• the Healthy Soils Program and Soil and Water Soil Health Program.
• So, for example, this is a federal grant program. It's not a quick granting program.
• Process for each program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are constitutional programs.
• One is a big tranche of money, $59 million, that goes to Kansas City 2026, as all host cities are receiving
• this Page 61 was the water safety program.
• program.
• No, no, this is Kansas City. We do not have...

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I said, 'We're not after small fish.
• Small fish, we want them rehabilitated.
• Small fish, we want problem they have. Small fish, we want them<00:07:25.520><c> rehabilitated.
• </c> that, you know, maybe it's a very small that, you know, maybe it's a very small fish.<00:08:22.560
• and make a massive profit. our state and city, city of Manchester, our state and city, city of Manchester

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That small town was where life would change.
• This bill is a tax on small business.
• Small companies are not going to be at risk.
• Most small businesses have single restrooms.
• Most small businesses have single restrooms.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a mix of suburban, exurban, small cities, and towns.
• We are a mix of suburban, exurban, small cities, and towns.
• We are a mix of suburban, exurban, small cities, and towns.
• We are a mix of suburban, exurban, small cities, and towns.
• We are a mix of suburban, exurban, small cities, and towns.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Centralia is a prominent city; I think it's actually the largest or the second-largest city in the district
• I'm the city manager for the City of Centralia.
• Program.
• Moving to the Farm to Food Pantry Program, it modifies the stated purpose of that program to provide
• The Washington Farm Donation Program, the Washington Commodities to the Nation Program, excuse me, not

Bills: HB2668, HB1735, HB2131, HB2199, HB2463, HB2598, HB2619

Keywords: relocation, wildlife, game farm, agriculture, environmental impact, animal welfare, force-feeding, birds, humane treatment, sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls up Julian Ramirez, City Council, also a member of the City of Houston, representing himself
• City of Austin.
• Ramirez, you're Julian Ramirez, City Council member, representing the City of Houston and yourself, and
• However, for the City of Houston and for other cities across Texas.
• cities in the Metroplex would lose.

Bills: HB2838, HB2964, HB3213, SB924

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on the Paramount City Council.
• California cities in strong support. Thank you.
• some of the clarity for each specific city.
• specific city.
• Carrie West with the City of Sunnyvale, where the majority of these mobile homes do exist, and the city

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Pichanga is located on a small vestige of our aboriginal lands in South.
• , youth programs, scholarship funding, energy projects, and more.
• It’s a bilingual program.
• Large portions of the cities of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City are on our reservation
• And so from the time that I was on the city council and your guys' investment in the city of Fresno,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr</c> Minnesota small cities thank you Mr Minnesota small cities thank you Mr chair<00:26:55.120><c
• small cities we Advocate Association of small cities we Advocate on<00:27:00.799><c> behalf</c><00:27
• Chair, Kapp, Minnesota Small Cities: Yes, however, I would say the issues a city deals with in a small
• Chair, Kapp, Minnesota Small Cities: Yes, however, I would say the issues a city deals with in a small
• </c> issues that a city deals with in a small issues that a city deals with in a small City<00:37:22.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would establish the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program, a five-year pilot program that
• The Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program is a five-year pilot program that allows local educational
• In 2017, in the small town of Rancho Tahima...
• are small.
• I have a rural district, but like I have cities that have greater population, say Chico or Yuba City.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met at the start of the 2026 session and heard four bills. AB 673 (Jackson) would create a five-year Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program for 16- and 17-year-old homeless students who are not in a parent or guardian’s custody, with grants to local education agencies for housing referrals, basic needs, tutoring, employment readiness, and related services. Support came from the Department of Education and an Alameda County Office of Education representative. Members raised questions about funding, reporting burdens on small districts, and coordination with county and nonprofit services, but the bill was approved 6-0 and sent to Human Services as amended. AB 1493 (Avila Farías) would have required school board special elections to be consolidated with the next primary or general election. The author argued this would reduce costs and increase turnout, while opponents including CFT and the California School Boards Association said it would reduce local accountability and preserve too much time for appointed members without voter input. Committee members debated turnout, democracy, costs, and whether the bill should instead address signature thresholds; the author said she was open to further work, but the measure failed on a 2-2 vote and did not advance. AB 68 (Gallagher) would require rural school districts, as defined in the bill, to have at least one school resource officer on campus, with a good-cause exception and a compliance plan if a district cannot meet the requirement. The author and a Glenn County superintendent said rural schools face long response times and need more protection, while CSBA, the Small School Districts Association, and several advocacy groups opposed the mandate, citing local control, costs, and evidence that SROs can increase anxiety and disciplinary actions without improving safety. After a lengthy debate over safety, local control, and funding, the bill passed 5-2 and was sent to Public Safety. AB 296 (Davies), which would create a standalone website for schools to buy and sell used career technical education equipment, drew support from construction industry groups and passed unanimously 8-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Chris Ancodite, and I am the deputy city clerk for the City of Rochester.
• </c> um Senate file 1168 authorizes the city um Senate file 1168 authorizes the city of<00:01:25.799>
• </c><00:03:35.599><c> clerk</c> chair our Rochester Deputy city clerk chair our Rochester Deputy city
• </c><00:04:03.879><c> clerk</c> codite and I am the deputy city clerk codite and I am the deputy city
• , the City of St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Erica Evans and I'm the elected Seattle City Attorney.
• ...counties and cities who don't have the funding, right?
• We've instituted an internship program.
• I'm the city manager for the city of Yakima, testifying in support of this bill.
• The city just cut funding for our parks, pools, community centers, and public safety programs from our

Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• To get someone to come to small rural areas.
• And what we are looking to do is to allow graduates of a career tech program or a certified CIB program
• after graduating the program.
• So if I go to a career tech program right now and I graduate that program, I go to work for ABC Plumbing
• What we're looking at is we're just saying they complete the program, they graduate the program, they

Bills: HB3239, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3832, HB3673, HB3783, HB3800, HB2956, HB3960, HB2471, HB3338

Keywords: veterinary medicine, definitions, animal husbandry, board of veterinary examiners, telemedicine, veterinarian-client relationship, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, elevator safety, inspections, Department of Labor, safety standards, regulatory compliance, funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, yeah. ...and economic development organizations through the Small Business Technical Assistance Program
• better cancer treatment programs.
• And so how do you separate the small businesses from the microbusinesses in this entrepreneurship program
• ... ...made steps to really address this issue because some of the programs were just as small business
• For starters, the program does not automatically enroll all those eligible in the pilot program.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• And when we look at funds that were provided to the city of Los Angeles through the HAP program, $143
• What I would say is the way that the program is structured now is all cities, even those under 300,000
• What I would say is the way that the program is structured now is all cities, even those under 300,000
• So for our small cities, it actually is difficult in some ways to receive those small portions of the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Small, what, is this only Chairman Small, is this only under the definition here of storage?
• Chair, Chairman Small.
• shows up in our city budgets first.
• The city stands in strong support of this legislation.
• So we're starting small.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Chairman Small.
• Chair and Chair Small, to that point,... So, Mr.
• shows up in our city budgets first.
• The city stands in strong support of this legislation.
• So we're starting small.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 248, the general obligation bond bill, which would authorize about $392.5 million in bond capacity for senior centers, libraries, and higher education, special schools, and tribal school projects. The sponsor highlighted major projects including a new UNM School of Medicine, a multidisciplinary building at NMSU, renovations at New Mexico Tech, a technical innovation center at CNM, an agricultural science and arts building at ENMU, and library renovations at New Mexico Highlands. Public testimony was supportive, especially from the New Mexico Library Association, and members discussed how the bond process works, including application timing, readiness to spend funds, voter approval, and how unspent bond proceeds revert. The committee voted do pass on HB 248 without opposition. The committee then considered House Bill 309, which would clarify property tax valuation rules for electric energy storage facilities by extending the existing special valuation method for electric generation, transmission, and distribution to battery storage and similar technologies. Supporters from PNM, InterWest Energy Alliance, and Inventergy said the bill would provide consistency and clarity as storage becomes more important to grid reliability and clean energy development. Members raised questions about depreciation, the 12-year schedule, the 20% floor on valuation, possible effects on local government revenues, whether the bill would apply to utilities and co-ops, industrial revenue bonds, and whether it covered microgrids or only battery systems. The committee approved HB 309 on an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 48, which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the State Fairgrounds District to support redevelopment of the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, including land acquisition, green space, water and sewer infrastructure, and traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements near San Pedro and Central. Support came from neighborhood groups, housing advocates, the city of Albuquerque, the chamber of commerce, and others who described the project as a long-term investment in safety, infrastructure, and economic revitalization for the surrounding area. Members questioned the bond repayment structure, the 25-year term, the use of district gross receipts and gaming tax revenues, parking impacts, and future bonding needs. The committee voted do pass on SB 48 by a 10-2 margin.