Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Customs Border Patrol One app, aliens were allowed entry into the United States and provided
• Close to one million aliens were allowed entry under temporary protection status.
• David Bolog continued: “Even if you had parole status as an alien, you received a non-work Social Security
• Unethical actors could have given an address to incoming aliens to put as an address they would be destined

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they don't enter illegal aliens.
• And if you'll go to the last sentence, it says the agreement is so that they can hold illegal aliens.
• I disagree. alien regardless of national origin, alien regardless of national origin, then<02:38:00.040
• </c> so-called illegal aliens so-called illegal aliens committing<02:42:04.560><c> crimes</c><02:42:05.160
• , but criminal illegal aliens?

Transcript Highlights:

• when you have to, and to have to prove if it's dire or not or have all these exemptions is really alienating
• when you have to, and to have to prove if it's dire or not or have all these exemptions is really alienating

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Forrest, you mentioned initially in your layout that this bill applies to lawfully present aliens
• Distinctly unique, I'm concerned that we may give an unlawfully present alien access to state court.

Bills: SB243 , SB1586 , SB1891 , SB1959 , SB2159 , SB2568

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Something I do want to mention is that I know there are alien land laws being presented here in Texas
• my professors having to walk on eggshells around me won't make me feel safe; it'll make me feel alienated

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects the illegal alien.
• IT PROTECTS THE ILLEGAL ALIEN.
• There is more in this bill that protects illegal aliens than it does to protect our legal taxpayers,
• BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON IN FEDERAL In addition to using tax dollars to provide illegal aliens
• expenses, we're now, by force of law, trying to give them a free pass even to dangerous criminal illegal aliens

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your bill addresses aliens or non-citizens that unlawfully purchased land.
• No, actually, it says anybody who has straw ownership purchases or illegal alien.
• Actually, it says anybody who has straw ownership purchases or illegal alien.
• The bill, as it's presented, says any alien or person who is not a citizen of the United States who has
• unlawfully acquired title to land, and I think that the question is, why limit it to somebody who's an alien

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Summary: The House convened after lunch, established a quorum, and then took up a long series of measures. Early debate centered on H.J.R. 1084, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to reaffirm that courts must follow the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions and not recognize or enforce religious codes that conflict with them. The author said it was meant as a safeguard against unconstitutional courtroom practices; several members questioned its practical effect and constitutional basis. The resolution passed the House 70-19. The chamber then passed a number of bills on workforce, public safety, tax, and administrative issues, including HB 3934 on dental hygienist workforce gaps, HB 3919 allowing county commissioners to adjust fair board membership to reach quorum, HB 4118 creating a family caregiver tax credit, HB 4119 requiring a bond in certain real-property title disputes, HB 426 on workers’ compensation for first responders suffering heart attack or stroke after strenuous shifts, HB 4178 on sales tax exemptions for municipal-beneficiary public trusts, HB 4215 to aid small post-production companies, HB 4324 allowing district attorneys to adjust sentences after initial sentencing with an amendment clarifying jury verdicts are unaffected, HB 3270 cleanup language for farmed cervidae/chronic wasting disease law, HB 4352 adopting the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, HB 4305 clarifying ad valorem assessment of low-income housing tax credit properties, HB 2955 modernizing captive insurance law, HB 3315 creating a 90-hour degree program, HB 3066 reestablishing and funding a behavioral health workforce program, HB 1245 changing retirement coverage for certain DHS law enforcement officers, HB 4125 restoring firearm rights for certain nonviolent felons after five years with expungement or pardon, HB 3075 creating a penny-rounding rule for public-sector cash transactions, HB 3129 creating a process for university security fees, HB 3239 modernizing the Veterinary Practice Act, HB 4153 reinstating prior driver-licensing rules tied to an eighth-grade reading test with a hardship exception, HB 3265 defining mental health specialists for police pension disability cases, HB 4491 allowing school districts to opt in to extracurricular participation by charter, virtual charter, and homeschool students, SB 680 creating a tobacco tax incentive for lower-risk products, HB 4263 aligning retirement options for CareerTech employees, and HB 4268 creating the Teacher Effectiveness and Excellence Act with a compensation pilot and National Board stipend. Most measures passed with little or no debate, though several drew extended questioning, especially the school extracurricular bill, the driver’s-license literacy bill, and the tobacco tax measure. Emergency clauses were adopted on several bills, including HB 3934, HB 3270, HB 3315, HB 3066, HB 3075, HB 3129, HB 4153, and HB 4268.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to protect these lands from further alienation by rejecting HB 1318.
• </c><01:04:01.400><c> by</c> these lands from further alienation by these lands from further alienation
• As I mentioned, it is never sold; it is never alienated.
• As I mentioned, it is never sold; it is never alienated.
• It is never sold; it is never alienated.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• 17 by Colcourse, relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens
• If we do not pass your amendment, would an illegal alien from Iran be able to purchase property?
• No, an illegal alien from Iran would not be able to purchase... Thank you. Your speaker.
• Isn't it true the federal government let 10 million illegal aliens into our state?
• Back when this was the first alien land law, because that's what they titled it, the alien land law.

Bills: SB17 , SB1569 , SB2420 , HB5138 , HJR161 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HCR76 , HCR127 , SB906 , SB1229 , SB855 , SB703 , SB1025 , SB888 , SB1119 , SB1080 , SB929 , SB1355 , SB2231 , SB1877 , SB1998 , SB552 , SB17 , SB1569 , SB2420 , HB2697 , HB3801 , HB3488 , HB3477 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB2594 , HB2564 , HB2298 , HB5331 , HB5646 , HB5247 , HB5323 , HB4384 , HB3896 , HB4014 , HB3627 , HB3594 , HB2524 , HB510 , HB561 , HB 1181 , HB3963 , HB5111 , HB2785 , HB1661 , HB200 , HB1803 , HB249 , HB721 , HB851 , HB 1128 , HB1904 , HB30 , HB1916 , HB541 , HB5560 , HB3071 , HB5627 , HB5435 , HB2688 , HB3045 , HB3483 , HB4213 , HB4226 , HB783 , HB175 , HB4735 , HB5155 , HB5057 , HB4813 , HB5339 , HB5196 , HB5033 , HB3486 , HB4211 , HB74 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4463 , HB4139 , HB4752 , HB4486 , HB4437 , HB4426 , HB4396 , HB4263 , HB3487 , HB3418 , HB2266 , HB2229 , HB2189 , HB5224 , HB5195 , HB3947 , HB3358 , HB3370 , HB3745 , HB3697 , HB2001 , HB1968 , HB3371 , HB3909 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB4506 , HB3317 , HB4166 , HB3913 , HB1768 , HB4603 , HB2494 , HB3099 , HJR138 , HB133 , HB3832 , HB1988 , HCR34 , HB3421 , HB3892 , HB5138 , HJR161 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HCR76 , HCR127

Keywords: foreign ownership, real property, national security, criminal penalties, civil penalties, personal information, higher education, privacy protection, governing board, institutional security, software applications, mobile devices, age verification, parental consent, data protection, app store regulation, HJR 161, Texas constitutional amendment, voting rights, non-citizen voting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• administration, present or future, can turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by criminal illegal aliens
• :32:44.120><c> by</c><00:32:44.320><c> criminal</c><00:32:45.120><c> illegal</c><00:32:45.960><c> aliens
• </c> dangers posed by criminal illegal aliens dangers posed by criminal illegal aliens recently<00:32
• </c> the same restrictions against alienation the same restrictions against alienation and<03:10:00.200
• Su tribe while ensuring that the land has the protections provided by restrictions against alienation

Bills: HR187 , HR186 , HR375 , HR165 , HR204 , HR197 , HR207

Keywords: government oversight, accountability, federal employees, transparency, administrative leave, Elon Musk, conflict of interest, government efficiency, federal contracts, renewable fuels, ethanol, E15, ethanol-15, renewable fuel standard, RFS, RINs, renewable identification numbers, refinery capacity, farmers, refiners

Transcript Highlights:

• to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law in relation to the reporting of the alienation

Committee: Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation met on March 17, 2026, with a quorum present and several members participating, including Chair José Serrano, Ranking Member James Tedisco, Senator Pamela Helming, and later Senators Michelle Hinchey and April Baskin. The committee took up a six-bill agenda focused on parks, cultural institutions, and related public safety issues. The committee reported several bills: S.1057, requiring reporting on the alienation of useful parkland; S.1378A, providing financial assistance to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, and other cultural institutions in low-income communities or serving students there; S.1380A, addressing cleaning of playground equipment after pesticide exposure; S.5400, creating an emergency-response exemption for law enforcement and fire department vessels; and S.6487C, authorizing the Council on the Arts to designate Little Gamut as a cultural district. Senator Helming recorded a “without recommendation” vote on some measures, but none were opposed. The final bill, S.9301, which would establish a new state park, was moved and seconded but was referred to the Civil Service Committee rather than reported from the committee. After completing the agenda, Chair Serrano adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we pushed for the passage of the Alien Land Law to prevent Japanese Americans from owning the very
• And we pushed for the passage of the alien land law to prevent Japanese Americans from owning the very

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of guest introductions, including Canadian diplomatic visitors and youth soccer champions from Senator Niello’s district. The body also recognized guests connected to arts education and later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Caitlin “Katie” Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The President announced the Senate would enter a one-week spring recess and return on April 6, 2026. On the floor, the Senate adopted SR 89 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day in California. Supporters emphasized the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and services for people with profound autism and their families. The resolution passed by a 35-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SCR 147 by Senator Allen, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with remarks stressing the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success; it passed 37-0. The chamber then adopted SCR 141 by Senator Wahab, recognizing March 26, 2026 as Women’s Equal Pay Day. Senators discussed the gender pay gap, its impact on families, and the need for transparency and enforcement; the resolution passed 37-0. The Senate also approved AB 2156, an urgency measure to proclaim March 31 as Farm Worker Day, with extensive debate about farm workers’ historical contributions, labor conditions, and the decision to rename the day in light of recent allegations involving the prior honoree. The bill passed unanimously, 37-0, including the urgency clause. Finally, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 968, SJR 11, SB 1005, and SB 1080, by unanimous vote. A committee announcement noted Budget Subcommittee 3 would meet upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we pushed for the passage of the Alien Land Law to prevent Japanese Americans from owning the very
• And we pushed for the passage of the alien land law to prevent Japanese Americans from owning the very

Transcript Highlights:

• I had never thought about this, is that with human trafficking, the person might not be an illegal alien
• , but they might not be able to prove that they are because those. illegal alien, but they might not

Bills: HCR3025

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Summary: The State and Local Government Committee first heard House Concurrent Resolution 3025, a resolution honoring the police and first responders of Fargo. Representative Hendricks presented it as a straightforward tribute tied to a tragic incident, and several members and a representative of the Chiefs of Police Association and North Dakota League of Cities spoke in support. There was no opposition, and the committee closed the hearing and later gave the resolution a 6-0 do pass recommendation, with Senator Braunberger volunteering to carry it. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 3010, which would direct Legislative Management to study legislative responsibility to review existing law before proposing new law. Representative Kempinock said the idea was to reduce repetitive or duplicative bills and improve legislative education, but also noted that current efforts by Legislative Council and leadership had made the resolution largely unnecessary. Members generally agreed with the premise but questioned whether a study was needed, and the committee ultimately gave it a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with Senator Lee volunteering to carry it. Next, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 3003, which would raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments from 50% to 60%. Speaker Wise argued constitutional changes should be difficult and cited other states’ higher thresholds, while Eric Spencer of the Greater North Dakota Chamber supported the measure and emphasized how often North Dakota’s Constitution has been amended. Members discussed the irony of asking voters to raise the threshold by a simple majority and the broader issue of an overused constitution, but the committee still recommended it do pass on a 6-0 vote. The committee then spent considerable time on House Bill 1297 and related House Bill 1307 amendments dealing with approval voting, ranked-choice voting, and a Fargo-specific exemption. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office and the League of Cities debated whether Fargo should be exempted and how to avoid conflicts between the two bills. An amendment to strip approval voting from 1297 failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee gave 1297 a 4-2 do pass recommendation so the floor could decide the issue, with plans to reconcile 1307 afterward based on that outcome.

Transcript Highlights:

• at his center who have gotten released from prison and have concerns around that lack of bond, alienation
• 00:55:02.240><c> that</c> around that that lack of bond that around that that lack of bond that alienation
• you're talking about who have alienation you're talking about who have substance<00:55:05.040><c> use
• once you leave, if you don't offer the kid up for visits, we're going to accuse you of parental alienation
• </c> to accuse you of parental alienation. to accuse you of parental alienation.

Summary: The committee first opened with brief remarks about a member’s recovery and then heard House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs related to DCYF. The sponsor, Representative Erica Layon, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how much time and money are spent on DCYF work versus other departmental work, and help future discussions about staffing, resources, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely produce the report without additional cost, though she was open to adjusting the reporting date and possibly adding more detail about federal mandates. Former Representative Betty Gay and several members supported the bill as a way to better document costs and procedures, while DCYF Director Marie Nunan said the department was not taking a position on the bill, already has many policies and operating procedures, and believed it could comply without a fiscal note. Members raised questions about whether the reporting requirement duplicated existing oversight, whether it should apply to other agencies, and whether the report should include federal funding mandates. Some suggested that a broader review or subcommittee on DCYF might be more useful than a single reporting bill. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, so it will not go on the calendar. Members said they wanted more time to discuss the bill, watch the budget process, and consider whether the reporting requirement could be implemented informally or through a broader oversight effort. The committee then moved on to House Bill 775, which was introduced by Representative Jodi Nelson as a measure to support supervised visitation centers. Dr. Scott Hampton testified in favor, describing the loss of visitation centers since 2019, the role of supervised visitation in protecting children and vulnerable parents in domestic violence cases, and the potential benefits for child safety, crime prevention, and family preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• someone who spent a lot of time in Asia, is that one of the effects of these tariffs is really to alienate
• a lot of countries that we should be cooperating and working more closely... ...alienate a lot of countries
• strategically, but as a result of imposing these unilateral tariffs, I think it has the effect of alienating

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s trade, tourism, and investment ties with Asia and the effects of federal tariffs. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of subnational diplomacy, sister-city relationships, and coordinated trade missions. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s long-standing engagement with Asian partners, citing trade missions, the 2023 APEC summit in California, and the state’s large Asian American and Pacific Islander population as reasons to deepen these relationships. The first panel focused on trade, tourism, and foreign investment. Leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California said California’s economy depends heavily on Asia-linked trade, tourism, and direct investment. They warned that federal tariffs and related policy uncertainty are disrupting ports, logistics, manufacturing, education, and travel, with impacts on longshore work, shipping volumes, international students, and visitor spending. Visit California reported a decline in 2025 visitation, especially from Asia and Canada, and urged stronger promotion, partnerships, and state-level support to maintain California’s global brand. The second panel examined tariff impacts in more detail. Glenn Fukushima and Dr. Kyle Handley said tariffs function as taxes on imports, raising costs for businesses and consumers and discouraging investment when policy changes are frequent and unpredictable. They argued California is especially exposed because of its ports, supply chains, and cross-border trade with Asia and Mexico, and warned that new vessel fees and rerouted freight could further harm California shippers. Both said tariffs are unlikely to achieve clear strategic goals quickly and may damage U.S. credibility and long-term trade relationships, while recommending that California focus on making itself more competitive through infrastructure, permitting reform, export assistance, and other measures within state control. The final panel turned to future opportunities and the role of small businesses. Speakers from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center network stressed that small and minority-owned firms often feel trade disruptions first and need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and large events that generate business spillover. They said California should continue investing in ports, business support systems, and international partnerships so that trade and tourism gains reach businesses across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• billion dollars was being spent by the health care system in Florida due to treatment of illegal aliens
• than half a billion dollars spent by the health system in Florida due to the treatment of illegal aliens
• address the ongoing crisis on our border as it relates to human trafficking and abuse of unaccompanied alien

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.